Thinclads Hope to Rebound Tonight; Lack of Depth Remains Big Problem

"Right now," said track coach Bill McCurdy, "our problem is twofold. We've got to get more depth somehow, and we've got to have a higher level of performance from the people we've got."

Hoping to rebound from a disastrous 71-38 defeat by Army last weekend, McCurdy's thinclads will take on Boston College tonight in a dual meet at the bubble.

"We don't really know what to expect from B. C.," McCurdy explained. "They'll probably be strong in the sprints, and they have some good distance men. They didn't show much in cross country this fall, but then, neither did Army."

Casualty Figures

Harvard's already-thin squad suffered more injuries against Army, with sprinter Ed Diamond coming up with an injured leg. Bob Clayton, who was knocked to the ground in the 600-yard race against the Cadets but came back to place in the 1000, is a question mark due to a cold. Ed Nosal, who won the weight throw last weekend, is leaving to get married. "We'll defer to matrimony," McCurdy granted.

The loss at West Point was the first defeat for a Harvard track team since 1968 when Army again was the spoiler. "I'd have to admit that I was disappointed," McCurdy commented. "but there were some positive elements."

McCurdy cited Baylee Reid's third-place finish in the 60-yard dash as a good sign, and praised Walter Johnson and Dewey Hickmanan the hurdles.

Jeff Brokaw in the two-mile run, Mark Connolly in the mile, and Joe Naughton in the shot put all turned in career bests against Army. Tom Spengler and Bob Seals paced the mile run, taking first and third, respectively.

"All the breaks that figured to be the ones that could go either way went the wrong way." McCurdy said, "and we just didn't have the depth to make up for bad breaks."

"Part of the problem was first-meet jitters," McCurdy added. The squad this year is dominated by sophomores who come from an undefeated freshman team.