Although the Harvard wrestling team dropped another disappointing match this weekend--to Yale in New Haven, 24-18--the Crimson still stands a strong chance of placing in at least four weight classes at next weekend's Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships at Lehigh.

This odd mixture of hope and disappointment reflects the matmen's uneven season, Crimson coach Johnny Lee said, "We're had too many weak links in the chain this year." he said. "But we've still got some guys who can cut the mustard against anyone."

While Harvard's tour standouts--Andy McNerney, Jim Phills, Paul Widerman and Sean Wallace reached cashed in impressive performances against the Bulldogs, they were typically--unable to carry the rest of the squad to victory, as their wins gave Harvard its only points in the match.

And typically, Coach Lee will rely on his four most consistent wrestlers to bring the squad a possible fourth place overall finish in the 15 team tournament, behind traditional Eastern powerhouses Syracuse, Navy and Lehigh.

"The losses we've had this year have all been close ones," Lee said, referring to his team's final record of 16-5-1. Still, he added for the first time since 1938, the Crimson is in a position to walk away with a championship trophy Undefeated 142-lb Andy McNerney and undefeated heavyweight Jim Phills, ranked respectively fourth and sixth in the nation threaten to capture individual titles.

"These guys are seniors and this is their last shot at the top," Lee said A strong showing at the Easterns can ameliorate an otherwise unspectacular season for the Crimson.