Crimson Harriers In NCAA Today

Hampered by injuries to two leading runners, the most successful cross country team in Harvard history will conclude its schedule in the NCAA meet in New York this morning.

The Crimson harriers will challenge IC4A rivals Villanova and Georgetown again in addition to Michigan State, Kansas, Colorado, and other national cross country powers.

Crimson captain Doug Hardin and junior Royce Shaw will be missing from today's starting line-up. Hardin, winner of two Heptagonal championships, finished a disappointing 35th in last Monday's IC4A meet.

Hardin apparently aggravated a bothersome case of shin splints in last week's race and probably faces two months of inactivity.

Shaw, the victor in the first six dual meets of the season, has been handicapped by a muscle pull in his last three outings. The junior limped home 53rd in the IC4A race.

Running instead will be juniors Erik Roth and John Heyburn, who have been waiting in the wings since the Heps for a chance to return to action. Both are strong, experienced runners with proven ability and could bolster the Crimson effort today.

Tim McLoone, the only senior in McCurdy's lineup today, will be closing out an outstanding Harvard cross country career against topflight competition. Sophomore Dave Pottetti and junior Keith Colburn are the best bets for medal-winning performances. Pottetti proved his mettle with a strong seventh place finish in the IC4A meet, and Colburn has shown flashes of brilliance in recent weeks.

Sophomores Tom Spengler, consistently cast in the unsung hero role, and Jon Enscoe round out the Harvard lineup.