With the final athletic contest of the first term having been completed over a week ago, mid-season grades and comments for Harvard's winter sports teams were due in University Hall yesterday afternoon. They read as follows:

HOCKEY--The Crimson skaters obviously didn't open their books before Christmas, as they began their season on a horrendous note, four straight losses following an opening win against Northeastern.

With the New Year, however, all has changed. Closer forechecking, the employment of four lines, and greater familiarity with each other's style of play has produced five wins and two ties, all against above-average-to-excellent competition.

Based on the improvement evidenced in January, the team rates a "B+" at the mid-season mark, but that grade should definitely improve as the season progresses. Of the 11 remaining regular season contests, the Crimson should win at least eight, as the schedule becomes immeasurably easier, qualify for the ECAC tournament, and perhaps even cause some trouble. Like Monday against BU in the Beanpot, perhaps.

BASKETBALL--Only an excellent grade on the mid-term (victory in the Beanpot) salvaged an otherwise "it's best be forgotten" first half. Unlike the other teams, the hoopsters have already played the biggies on their schedule, winning but one of them (B.C. two weeks ago.).

As usual, the team has shown it has the talent, but--also as usual--inconsistencies and the tendency to nap during lectures have proved disastrous.

The second half should provide comic relief (eight games, including Brown, Yale, Cornell, and Columbia) and in all probability, a final record of something like 13-13, which could produce a third-place Ivy finish and a final grade of "B." Nothing spectacular, but certainly better than the Ivy basement and a mid-term rating of "C+," which is how the cagers rate today.

SQUASH--Many of the faces are new, but with Jack Barnaby, the results are the same: a 5-0 record at the break. None of the matches thus far have been close, but they never are. The team probably deserves an "A," but then there would be no room for improvement, and with Princeton next (a week from Saturday), the crucial test of the season has yet to be taken. So an "A-" for now, and the Tigers on February 7.

SWIMMING--This report is a duplication of the above one, meaning that a) the record shows only victories, three of them, b) the team has been performing well, but c) the real challenge occurs against Princeton on February 7. A victory against the Tigers should mean an undefeated season, which in turn will mean an "A," but for now, another "A-."

TRACK--This is getting boring. Another undefeated team (4-0), whose hardest tests are still to come. The Northeastern triumph was a good one, but there are still the Greater Bostons, Princeton Relays, Heps, and IC4A's with which to contend. Along with, of course, Princeton itself, which means, of course an "A-" and we'll see what happens next month.

WRESTLING--The Crimson grapplers have a 3-4 mark, but they've won the meets they should have (with the possible exception of UMass), and put up a good effort in the ones where they really didn't have a chance. There's reason for optimism, especially in the lightweight class, and the Ivy title remains a possibility, expecially if Yale and, up, Princeton can be had. For the present, 3-4="B."

FENCING--With a 4-2 record, and perhaps the best foil team in the country, Harvard's fencers could go a long way. It's hard to predict the Ivy teams to beat, but Cornell and Columbia (and naturally Princeton) are good bets. The two losses thus far, to St. John's and NYU, could possibly have been avoided, but lack of experience can often negate talent. In other words, an "A" for talent, a "B-" for experience, and a "B+" at the mid-term.

Final grades are due March 15.