PENNSYLVANIA'S CREW WORK

The following statement concerning the Pennsylvania crew, which will race on the Charles, May 10, was written for the CRIMSON by Captain Alexander.

"Over two hundred men reported for the Varsity and Freshman crews--one of the largest turn-outs in the rowing history of the University, and the largest for any one sport at Pennsylvania this year. Short drills for squads of sixteen were held daily for a month in the rowing room of the gymnasium, and then came a sweeping "cut", and only five Varsity and four freshman eights were launched on the Schuylkill for the first out-door practice of the season. Blustery weather and choppy water has canceled practice many a day since then, and the erection of a railroad bridge across the river about three-quarters of the way down the course has interfered very materially with the customary practice brushes.

"Occasional 'tubbing' matches and frequent and unexpected changes of the order of seating in the Varsity boat again this season characterize Coach ward's method of training. Only on last Thursday was there change, and also the shifting of a port man to the starboard side. The order of the eight that will row on the Charles on May 10, will probably be as follows: Stroke, Alexander; 7, Madeira; 6, Merrick; 5, Garvin; 4, Crane; 3, Blatz; 2, Butler, bow, Shoemaker and cox., Preston. Two of these men are veterans of last year's crew at Poughkeepsie--Madeira and Alexander. Garvin and Crane are practically green material, having done little or no rowing before this season. Merrick at number 6 was a substitute on last year's freshman eight, while all of the others were members of the Freshman boat at Poughkeepsie. The present stroke has never rowed the position previous to this season. With this brief introduction to the crew, it can be seen that the Pennsylvania eight, at best, is most inexperienced, and that any attempt to discuss prospects or our possible position at the finish at Cambridge, would be futile.

Hard Schedule for Season

"The schedule for this season is a very full one, including as it does races for the Varsity with Harvard, Princeton, the navy, Cornell, Columbia, Syracuse and Wisconsin; for the freshmen with Princeton, Navy, Cornell, Columbia, Syracuse and Wisconsin, and those two or three college freshman eights which will enter the American Henley regatta at Philadelphia on May 31. The prospect of such a busy racing season is a great incentive to the men to exert themselves to the utmost during the many weeks of hard training and the daily and continual quest of that elusive 'perfection of form'.

"It is with the greatest pleasure that Pennsylvania again sends a crew to compete with Harvard, and we hope that there will be a race as glorious and as fiercely fought as the sport deserves--and that the best crew wins". JOHN ALEXANDER.   Captain of the Pennsylvania Crew.