Hardin Runs Two-Mile In New Record--8:44.2

Mild-mannered Doug Hardin ran a fantastic 8:44.2 two-mile last night as Harvard's track team walloped Brown, 75-34, in the Bruins' Waughtel-Howe Field House.

Hardin's time not only eclipsed the Harvard indoor record set just a week ago by Jim Baker (8:56.9), but bettered Hardin's own University record of 8:48--set outdoors last June--by nearly four seconds.

Hardin owed part of his success to teammates Baker and Roy Shaw, who kept the pace quick and steady through out the race.

Shaw paced his teammates to a 4:22 mile mark, and then, as if by plan, turned the lead and pacing duties over to Baker. Shaw dropped out of the race a quarter-mile later with a minor foot injury.

Harvard broke or tied six of Brown's cage records, including the two-mile, 1000, 600, shot put pole vault, and mile relay marks.

Baker held onto the lead until, with two laps to go, Hardin gave a kick and passed the Englishman. Hardin crossed the finish line after tearing through the final quarter in 64 seconds. Baker finished in 8:48.4.

Two fine individual performances were turned in by Charlie Ajootian in the 35-pound weight and Jim Coleman in the high jump. Ajootian lobbed the weight 59' 1/2", his best toss ever, for first place. Coleman soared 6' 5" for the first time in his life.