Thinclads Clash With West Point In Grudge Meet

Harvard's track team clashes with Army at West Point tomorrow in what must be considered the Thinclads' grudge meet of the year.

The Cadets have been a spoiler for the Crimson ever since Harvard won the first Harvard-Army dual meet of the year last December, 68-40. The West Pointers had been regarded as a mild favorite on the basis of their victories in the 1967 spring dual meet and Heptagonals.

But the Crimson, sparked by Jim Baker's record-breaking performances in the mile and two-mile and Dick Benka's in the shot put, put the Cadets to shame.

Then early in March, Army reassumed its spoiler role, edging Harvard out of the Indoor Heptagonal title, 62-53. The Crimson was still in the running until the final two relays when a dropped baton by the Harvard mile relay team threw the Crimson out of the running.

Army's most recent theft occurred in last week's outdoors Heptagonals in New Haven, when the West Point tracksters edged Harvard out of a second place finish by a mere three points. Yale surprised everyone by winning the Heps with 71 points. Army was second with 70, while Harvard took a disappointing third with 67.

To win in tomorrow's meet, Harvard must depend on the events that have carried the Crimson all year--the long distance races and the weight events. Coach Bill McCurdy will also be looking for improved performances from middle distance runner Roy Shaw and pole vaulter Steven Schoonover.

In last week's Heps, Army capitalized on Shaw's discouraging fourth place in the 880, Schoonover's third in the vault, and hurdler Frank Haggerty's elimination due to an injury, to pick up valuable points.

After tomorrow's meet, the track team has only one other major test before the end of the school year--the IC4A Championships in New York on May 31 and June 1.