Crimson Matmen Destroy Maine, MIT

The Harvard wrestling team racked up two morale-boosting victories by mauling MIT, 25-9, and decimating Maine, 32-8, last night in the IAB.

"After so many frustrating meets this season, it really feels good to sweep this one." Harvard coach John Lee said after the meet. "The opposition wasn't all that tough, but it's good to get a few more points in the win category."

Crimson heavyweight entries Jim Strathmeyer and Richie Starr gave Maine their roughest matches. Strathmeyer toyed with his Black Bear opponent at 177 until the third round, when he picked up the points to defeat his man, 10-4. Starr, debuting in the unlimited division, wasted no time and pinned his man midway through the first round.

The duo ravaged MIT opponents later in the meet. Strathmeyer had another good third round and copped a 5-2 win while Starr, back in his usual 190 class, won convincingly, 26-4.

340-pound foe

Harvard heavy Carl Culig rebounded from a 6-12 loss to Maine by pinning his 340-pound MIT foe, Earland Van Lidtdejude in the third round. Maine's heavyweight also pinned Van Lidt-dejude, who appeared inexperienced and a bit clumsy.

The Crimson took lightweight matches with ease. Maine forfeited at 118 and 126 and dropped 134 to Harvard freshman Ty Richardson. The Engineers fell to Dan Blakinger (118), 8-2, Bill Haley (126) 5-1, and Carl Biello (134), 11-2.

Once again the middle weight matches were Harvard's weaknesses. Struggling Mike Dee (150) deadlocked Maine, 2-2, and wrestled a fruitless third round against MIT, losing 3-4. Rock Henkel blew his chance to pick up his first season win when he fell to Maine, 1-3.

MIT captain Dave Kuntz edged Harvard's John Keough, 6-4, after Keough tired out in the third round. "He was shaky," coach Lee said. "He showed the effects of his weight loss. He was too weak and too tired." Keough crash dieted from 167 pounds to split grappling duties with Henkel.

Harvard picked up another team win Monday when Lowell Tech, scheduled to participate in last night's meet, called to forfeit the matches. The Crimson, now 4-7 for the season, will break until February 3, when they tangle with Ivy rival, Princeton.