Freshman Wins Handicap Race

Ed Hamlin, a freshman, won the University Handicap cross-country race yesterday, and established a new record for the Charles River course. Hamlin triumphed in both the handicap and scratch divisions, a feat unprecedented in the history of the event.

Given a two-minute head start, Hamlin quickly showed he had no need for such generosity, as he increased his lead and won comfortably in the time of 18:15. Mark Mullin had the second-best clocking over the three and one-half mile course, an 18:36 effort.

In the handicap standings, freshman Bruce Johnston took second behind Hamlin with the aid of a seven-minute start. Johnston was making his first attempt at cross-country running, and his showing was the best ever for a newcomer to the sport.

The sophomores, who won the team competition last year as freshmen, took the crown again with 28 points. The Class of '63 was second with 39.

Coaches Bill McCurdy and Ed Stowell entered the handicap and hauled themselves over the long grind valiantly if not too rapidly. McCurdy finished 25th on a straight time basis; Stowell was farther back in the field.