Coming off a psychologically important win over a mediocre Dartmouth squad on Tuesday, the Harvard track team can only hope that its momentum will continue when it faces a tough field in Sunday's Greater Boston.
On the basis of Tuesday's performance alone, Harvard can be rated no better than second to Northeastern, the indoor GBS titlist, but it is difficult to assess the effect of the victory on the Crimson, or its possible result in the Sunday meet on B.C.'s tartan track.
The Huskies, because of their running strength and overall depth, appear to be a solid favorite, but Harvard, just now pulling out of a dismal early season slump, has the talent to win. Boston College is "generally a team to be respected," coach Bill McCurdy said yesterday, and, if the Crimson falters, could give Harvard a battle for second. "We aren't particularly interested in second," McCurdy said. "We'll be fighting for first."
"Our problem is a lack of total depth in the running events," he said, "because the team with depth has a decided advantage." McCurdy hopes to do well in the field, and it appears that Harvard may be uncharacteristically stronger here than in the running events.
Ted DeMars should be a real threat in the hammer, and in the discus, Gil Bain had his best performance ever against the Big Green and should be in contention. The shot has been a heavy Northeastern event, but DeMars and Jay Hughes have the potential to pick up some points with the first five places scoring. Bill Pade and Adrian Tew in the javelin, if they both get off good throws, are a threat to take 1-2.
In the jumping events, Harvard has a great deal of scoring potential. Vincent Vanderpoole-Wallace will be hoping for warm weather, and is as good bet as any for first in the long jump. The trio of Kevin Benjamin. Howard Corwin, and Vanderpoole-Wallace make the triple jump "potentially our strongest event," McCurdy said.
In the running events. Harvard's sprinters, a strength so far this spring, will face a tough field, and hopes of any domination by Baylee Reid. Bud Wilson, and Austin O'Connor seem slim. The quarter mile appears to be completely up to Nick Leone, who is starting to run up to his ability after being sidelined much of the year. Bob Clayton is confronted with a similar task in the half, but both Clayton and Leone must run in time heats, which has upset McCurdy.
Dewey Hickman will probably battle with MIT, B.C., and Tufts entries for first in the high hurdles, while the intermediates appear wide open. Harvard's lack of depth starts to show in the distances, where the Crimson's hopes rest on Bob Seals in the mile. Fred Linsk in the three-mile, Mike Koerner in the six-mile, and Rick Rojas in the steeplechase.
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