Pitt, Lehigh Favored In Wrestling Bouts Beginning Today

With six defending champions and 18 former place winners among the opposition the Crimson wrestlers will face at the Eastern Intercollegiates, Harvard will be lucky to capture even three fourth places. The two-day competition begins today in Bethlehem, Pa.

In team standings, Harvard will probably finish well below favored Pitt and Lehigh in the sixteen-school contest. In individual matches, Crimson hopes are in the 130, 137, and 191 lb. classes.

Pittsburgh should dominate the three lower weights, winning all championships and picking up several runner-up positions. Harvard captain Nick Estabrook, who has won 11 of 13 bouts this year, must defeat last year's champion Darryl Kelvington to take the 137 lb. division.

Another returning Pitt champion, Larry Lauchle, will challenge George Doub (130), who has won his last three bouts. The Crimson's Red Grant will wrestle at 191.

Lehigh Could Sweep

The Engineers of Lehigh could likewise sweep the 147, 157, and 167 lb. classes. Representing Harvard will be Tom Owsley (147), Bob Kolodney (157), and J.C. von Helms (167). If von Helms can make 147, however, Crimson coach Bob Pickett may switch him with Owsley, who would wrestle 20 pounds underweight.

Other Harvard wrestlers in the tourney are Tony Woodfield (123), John Valentine (177), and heavyweight Tom Gaston.