UNIVERSITY CREW DEFEATS FRESHMEN IN TWO-MILE RACE

RED TOP, CONN., June 17. -- In what was probably the last hard row before the Yale races on Friday, the University crew justified all statements as to its recent improvement by defeating the Freshman eight by slightly under half a length and the Second University by two lengths in a two-mile race today. With the conditions slightly favorable the University covered the course in 10 minutes, 36 seconds.

At the start the first crew jumped to a half-length load on their opponents, and by the half-mile mark were a length ahead of the Freshmen. Appleton kept his men at 30 and although Amory set the beat at 32 in the yearling boat, he was unable to cut down the distance. In this way and in this position the crews rowed for a mile.

Freshmen Gain in Last Lap

Then at the mile and a half mark the Freshmen tried a spurt. Their stroke went up to 33 and they applied extra power to each sweep. But Appleton was ready for them; he shot the stroke up to 32, and the yearlings stayed behind. Finally, however, with only 200 yards to go the 1924 boat staged its big spurt -- the kind that took the heart out of the Cornell Freshmen and, a week ago, defeated the Second University. Gradually they slipped up, seemingly irresistable, until their number six was opposite the stern of the first boat. Beyond that there was no progress, and a moment later the race ended. The University had proved itself the better by a third of a length and an exceedingly strong crew.

There was considerable speculation as to what would have happened if the crews had rowed 100 yards further, and there are many who feel that the result might have been different from what it was. The fact remains, however, that the race was two miles and that it was won by the University. Throughout the race and particularly in their spurt, the Freshmen showed up well, but the University's work was preeminent.

Veteran crew men who arrived today were Wendell Davis '21, Captain of last year's boat, and Reginald Jenney '21, who stroked the same eight against Yale. The latter went out with the Freshmen in the afternoon and coached them on getting less weight on their slides at the catch.