The 1972 season is the date set by Lee and Fehrs for the present rebuilding program to bloom. The schedule that year includes both Navy and Lehigh, and Lee had better have a rough team if he expects to survive the season.
The key to success in the next three years rests with several wrestlers who will become eligible for varsity competition next winter.
Freshman Richie Starr. Harvard's first Eastern champion in 12 years, will surely step in at 177 as a sophomore next year. Four other outstanding freshmen-Dave Lowe (134? John Peters (150). Bill Stuart (158). and Dick Duhong (167)-: should also move up. The most important additions, however, may be two transfer students, sophomores Josh Henson from Michigan and Jerry Kahrilas from Brown-who will bolster the Harvard mid-range at 134 and 142. Both sat out this year, but practiced with the team and competed in AAU tourneys,
Lack of Personnel
At the same time, Lee and Fehrs are leaning strongly toward the lightweights in their recruiting program.
"The problem for next year is that this year's freshmen, as good as they were, did not have guys at the weights we need them, notably 118, 126, and heavyweight," Lee said. The Yardlings forfeited most if not all of their bouts at these three weights due to a lack of personnel.
It is possible that Tripp will not return at unlimited next year, and if he does not there are no freshmen or returning lettermen to till the void.
Drawing Heavily
Next year's varsity will of course draw heavily on returning lettermen, since only three starters are graduating. Faller-18-1-1 as he goes into the NCAA championships next weekend-will be back at 167, as will newly-elected captain Pat Coleman at 142.
Dean Sheppard, who came on toward the end of the season at 150, should be fully recovered from torn rib cartilages sustained in the Yale meet, and Dave Seanion (190) will be eligible again after being placed on academic probation in February.
Nevertheless the "rough team" that Lee hopes for is probably another year away.
"That's what we're pushing for," he said of '72. "With Navy and Lehigh on the schedule, we'll have to have the horses to get by."
And the distant future, there is always the 1987 season when Lee's two-year-old son David will become eligible for varsity competition. David, however, is not yet sure that he will apply to Harvard.