Harvard Snares Big Lead In Greater Boston Track

The Greater Boston track meet crawled to a start in Tufts' basement cage in Medford yesterday. The Crimson built a 30 1/2-16 1/2 lead over second place North-eastern, and is in a good position to win when the running event finals are held today.

Harvard gained its only first place and twelve of its points in the pole vault. Steve Schoonover and Pete Lazarus jumped 14 ft. to set meet and cage records.

A 55 ft. shot put by Northeastern's Andy Kenny, and heat-winning races by B.U.'s Dave Hemery in the hurdles and Harvard's Dave McKelvey in the 600 stood out. Most contestants from the seven area colleges were less concerned with times and scores than with escaping from the ill-equipped field house in time for supper.

The 50-yard dash set the tone for the day. Only one starting block could be found and the finish line was at a 20-degree angle to the lanes. The 40 ft. line in the shot put was marked by a backwards "45." and the track was nearly as hilly as the Franklin Park cross-country course.

The five running events dragged mercilessly, ending one hour and fifty minutes behind schedule. Only the last one-Dick Howe's narrow victory in one heat of the 1000-provided any excitement.

Harvard's performance in the weights was solid, if not spectacular. Ron Wilson's 57 ft. 10 in. in the 35 lb. weight and Bruce Hedendal's 43 ft. 5 in. in the shot put earned second places. But in its weak events Harvard zilched the broad jump and got a cheap second at 6 ft. in the high jump.