Harvard's wrestling team has lost the services of two top starters and will be a heavy underdog in its match with Navy Saturday at the Academy.

The Middies, undefeated in the East this winter, have crushed such formidable regional powers as Pittsburgh (33-5), Temple (31-5), and Princeton (23-11).

Harvard (6-2-1), attempting to raise the quality of its schedule, will meet Navy for the first time in 11 years. The Crimson will sorely miss Ritchie Starr (177) and Carl Biello (126) in the triangular meet which also includes Virginia.

Shoulders and Exams

Starr has been bothered by a sore shoulder, and coach John Lee fears there may be a slight shoulder separation causing the pain. Biello, a freshman, must remain in Cambridge to prepare for his first Harvard exams.

177 and 126 were two matches where Harvard stood a chance to pick up points. Navy has Eastern champions at 118, 134, and 142, and Navy coach Ed Peery feels that sophomores Robert Hartman (158) and John Christensen (167) are the heart of his line-up's strength.

The best individual match of the day should come at 118 where sophomore Dan Blakinger, who won last year's freshman Eastern championship, faces senior Tom Schuler, Eastern champion and second-place finisher in the NCAA.

Schuler is favored because of his size advantage. He is 5'8" and is too tall and rangy for Blakinger," Peery said. "Blakinger will have problems," Lee admitted. "Dan belongs in a 105 class."

Harvard's only hope for victory is to build a lead in the lowest weight classes, Navy's proven strength. The Crimson may be slightly stronger at 190 (Dave Scanlon) and unlimited (Angelo Mareno), but Harvard will need an early lead to survive its weakness from 150 through 177.

Harvard is still without captain Colin Mangrum, who is suffering with an injured knee. Mangrum once again tried working out yesterday and immediately reaggravated the injury.