Rowing Prospects Look Hopeful, Love. Has Over Four Crews Out

Harvey Love has drawn a tough assignment in his first season as varsity crew coach--besides the fact that it is the one hundredth anniversary of the Harvard-Yale race, it is also an Olympic year. The Crimson oarsmen will be pointing even more than usual for the four-mile New London Regatta, and then a week and a half later for the Olympic sprint tryouts.

Love's prospects are hopeful, however. With six members of last year's varsity boat returning, and three and a cox from the J.V., Love has a good nucleus from which to build. In addition, there have been 17 sophomore hopefuls rowing since fall practice began on September 27 Between four and five boats go out every day.

Leading the oarsmen is stroke and captain Lou McCagg, who was named along with 1951 captain Ollie Iselin to last spring's All-American crew. This theoretical championship boat is chosen from all the collegiate crews by a committee of newsmen and coaches.

No boatings have been decided this early in the season, of course, but Love is encouraged by the strength of the turnout. Though average numerically, as a group the oarsmen are above average in skill. There are no poor ones.

The purpose of fall rowing is to develop form and individual technique, so when the pressure comes on in the spring the oarsmen can concentrate on condition and on getting a seat in the first boat. Form learned now counts heavily when competitive rowing begins next term.