Still, Harvard is expected to win, simply because it can bring more talent to bear.

"There are some scattered individual swimmers who might hurt us," Duncan said, "but we have depth on our side."

Frosh Power

Harvard's formula for success this season has been a blend of experience and youth.

While senior Co-Captains Duncan and Stephanie Wriede (who is headed for the NCAA championships and the Olympic trials) anchor the team, the heart of the Crimson is its freshman class.

Twelve out of the team's 31 swimmers and divers belong to the class of '95.

"Being young is not necessarily equated with inexperience," Costin-Scalise said. "The freshmen swam very hard all year. Their spirit and drive combined with the older swimmers' experience should stand us in good stead."

Standout Deborah Kory leads the freshmen. Kory already has set school records in the 200 and 400 Individual Medley.

"I have confidence in the freshmen pulling through for us," Duncan said. "They have proved themselves again and again throughout the season."

The team is also counting on juniors Eva Romas and Lynn Kelley, as well as sophomore backstroker Allison Estes. Romas and Kelley specialize in the freestyle events, and are both on Harvard's freestyle relay team.

To secure its victory, Harvard will need a strong showing in the preliminary heats today and tomorrow.

A weak showing in the early heats could leave an opening for Yale or American to challenge the Crimson seriously.

"The meet is going to be won in the morning," Costin-Scalise said. "We need to place people in the finals to get the points we need to win the meet.

"Putting people in the consolation swims won't get us the win," she added.