Matmen Confront Columbia Today

The Columbia wrestling team is trying to extricate itself from a long and puzzling slump, but Harvard will be hoping the Lions don't find the way out before the two teams meet at 3:30 p.m. today in the IAB.

Last season, Columbia piled up an 8-4 record, finished second in the Ivy League with a 5-1 mark, and buried Harvard 18-9 in New York. But this year, with many of the same personal back, the Lions lost their first five matches in thoroughly ignominious fashion before finally beating Yale 21-16.

The Columbia collapse is difficult to explain, but the most likely reason is that the team has thus far failed to work itself into shape. Harvard Coach Bob Pickett said yesterday the Lions are "ready to explode," especially if they've finally gotten in some kind of condition.

But explosion or not, Harvard will probably win, even considering its 26-8 pasting at the hands of Rutgers Wednesday night. Consider: Franklin and Marshall, a team Harvard beat 19-13, mashed Columbia 27 to 5.