Track Varsity to Face Cadets In Spring Season's First Meet

The Crimson track team will open its spring campaign against Army's vaunted Cadets today at West Point. Army is deep and strong in almost every event, and the thin varsity squad will need an all-out effort and plenty of luck to win.

Still, a Crimson victory is a distinct possibility, and the man who could make the difference is Joel Landau. The Crimson ace is a prohibitive favorite in both hurdle races, and he could add vital points in the dashes. It is too early in the season to ask a performer to attempt a quadruple. If the meet is close, though, coach Bill McCurdy may call on Landau for a four event effort, and Landau has the ability and determination to carry it off.

Dyke Benjamin is ready for an attack on Pete Reider's University two-mile record of 9:21.2. Last month Benjamin turned in a 9:25.4 performance at the Connecticut Relays, and since then he has had his first real workouts since early December. He will be facing Army's Heptagonal champion Dick Greene in what promises to be the most exciting race of the meet.

Jed Fitzgerald, Fred Howard, and possibly Benjamin will meet Cadets Ted Benz, the Heps winner, and Dick Healy in the mile, a key event. Fitzgerald outdueled Healy when the Crimson met Army last winter, but since then Benz has come into his own, soundly defeating Fitzgerald in the Heptagonals. Howard has improved, too, and any one of five men could take first place.

The middle distances may be rough. Dave Gray and Ron Salter finished one-two in the 600 and Bill Hanne won the 1000 in the Cadets' 64 1/3-44 2/3 win last season. Healy could also help Army here. Against these skilled runners the Crimson will pit captain Albie Gordon and Dave Brahms in the 440 and Art Cahn in the 880. Gordon and Brahms have improved immensely, and Cahn should be more at home at the shorter outdoor distance.

In the field events, the situation is uncertain. Gene Reese of Army has come from nowhere to be a prime contender in the hammer, joining teammate Ed Bagdonas and Al Dorris. The Crimson's Jim Doty and Stan Doten could finish high in the hammer, as could Doten and John Bronstein in the discus. Keith Nance of Army is the favorite in the shot, but Henry Abbot and Steve Cohen could score well for the varsity.

Carl Pescosolido's injured arm could make a difference in the meet. If Pescosolido is able to throw the javeline at full strength, he should be able to win, and Bob Kneeland also has a chance to score. Tom Blodgett's illness should not keep him from winning the pole vault against Army's Jim Young.

Army has three good broad jumpers, headed by Phil Chappell, and a 6 ft., 6in. high jumper in Gary LaBorne. The varsity will be exceptionally lucky to score in the broad jump, but an improving John deKiewiet could give the Cadets some trouble in the high jump.

To win the meet, the Crimson must capitalize fully on its strong events, especially the sprints. Sandy Dodge, Frank Yeomans and Landau, if he runs, should provide no less than 14 points if the Crimson is to balance Army strength in the jumps and middle distances.

West Point weather at this time of year is legendarily bad, and it will take a great deal of spirit to overcome the elements and defeat the team that the New York writers are calling the best in the East.

Spirit, in fact, is the only thing that can win the meet for the Crimson. The team was not at its best for the winter contest, and missed a chance for an upset. The varsity will be at a fine edge for today's clash.