Harvard junior Mark Faller won both of his matches yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals of the 158-pound competition in the NCAA wrestling tournament at Northwestern's McGaw Hall in Evanston, III.

In the opening round, Faller pinned Greg Giordano of William and Mary at 3:06, and in his next match, Faller edged Missouri's Curt Bourg, 6-5. If Faller wins his quarterfinal match today, he will become one of four semifinalists and wrestle his next opponent Saturday afternoon.

Faller is Harvard's only entrant in the Nationals this year. He also competed last winter, but was eliminated during the first day of wrestling.

Faller was 18-1-1 as he went into this tournament. In the Easterns, at 167, he upset defending champion Jack Bentz of Lehigh in the semifinals, before losing, 11-3, to Penn State's Andy Matter in the final bout. Matter was a pre-NCAA favorite at 167.

John Imrie was Harvard's only highfinishing representative to the NCAAs last year. Wrestling at heavyweight after a season at 191, he registered three straight pins, before being pinned in the quarterfinals. He lost a 9-5 decision in the consolation match.

Imrie's six point contribution was Harvard's highest since varsity coach Johnny Lee placed third in 1953.

Imrie drowned in a boating accident last summer.