After supervising the Harvard wrestling program for 31 years, including an 18-year stint as varsity head coach, John H. Lee has announced his retirement.

Just before the squad faced Yale two weeks ago in a dual meet it eventually won, Lee told the team that he would not return to Harvard next year.

"We had known he wasn't going to be around for a lot longer, but we weren't exactly sure when he was going to retire," Harvard Co-Captain Steve Farrell said. "He's been a great coach and we're all really going to miss him."

The Crimson varsity grapplers compiled a 175-132-3 record in Lee's 18 years of service.

"I wish he'd wait until next year, when I was a senior," said Co-Captain Jerry Greenberg who, like Farrell, is a junior. "But I guess every year we've been hoping, one more year."

Lee, who graduated from Harvard in 1953, was an All-American and captain of the Crimson wrestling team both his junior and senior years. He placed third in the 123-lb. weight class in the NCAA championships during his senior campaign, after finishing fourth in that class the previous season.

An assistant to former varsity Coach Bob Pickett and a coach of the Harvard freshman team from 1956 to 1968, Lee assumed head coaching duties in 1969.

"All of the guys are sad to see Johnny go. He's been here for such a long time," said sophomore Jeff Clark, who wrestles at 134 pounds. "It will be a big loss--he's a great coach but a friend, too."

Last weekend, the 1985-'86 squad placed eighth in a field of 16 teams at the Eastern Invitational Tournament. On the basis of his individual performances, heavyweight Kevin Wattles qualified to participate in nationals, to be held at the University of Iowa.

"I can't say enough good things about Johnny," Farrell said, "but we have one guy going to nationals, so he's not quite done yet. I'm really glad someone made it to nationals for Johnny's last year."