Sophomore Mel Embree shattered the Harvard high jumping record in the Greater Boston Invitational Meet Monday night, soaring 7 ft. 1/4 in. on his last attempt. The record-breaking jump was televised locally as part of Channel 5's series "5 On Sports."

The previous Harvard record of 7 ft. 0 in. was owned by Chris Pardee '66 set at a meet against Princeton in 1966.

Embree's feat makes Harvard the only school in New England to boast of producing two 7 ft. jumpers. Only John Thomas of Boston University, who owns the world record with a 7 ft. 6 in. leap, and Bill Rom of Holy Cross have cleared the mark from the New England area.

"It was a very fine jump," Edgar B. Stowell, acting head track coach, said yesterday. "It's not his limit by any means. He is capable of breaking his record again."

Embree posted the best season jump last year, clearing 6 ft. 9 in. at the IC4As. This season, he has only failed to clear 6 ft. 10 in. in one meet.

Embree snatched second place in the Indoor Heptagonal Championships this winter with a 6 ft. 10 in. leap so that his recent feat gives him an excellent chance of winning the Outdoor Heptagonals to be held at Philadelphia on May 11.

Embree added to his laurels this season by capturing seventh place in the NCAA Championships held in Detroit on March 14.

Dedicated

Stowell credits Embree's increased success this year to his dedication. "He really deserves the line share of the credit for his success," Stowell said yesterday.

Harvard's next home track meet is against Yale on April 23, and Embree is likely to smash the old Harvard Stadium high jump record of 6 ft. 9 in., also set by Chris Pardee in 1966.