Aquamen Submerge Lions, Midshipmen

The Harvard men's swimming team walloped Columbia, 90-22, Saturday in New York and followed up 24 hours later with a 65-46 win at the U.S. Naval Academy to open the Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming League dual meet season this weekend.

Before a standing-room crowd packed at Uris Pool, the Crimson took 12 first-place finishes against Columbia, setting six new records for the Lion's home waters.

Contrary to the pre-meet plans of coach Don Galluzzi the Columbia squad did not shave down for the meet. "It was a letdown for us." Harvard assistant coach Ken Oberg said yesterday. "But I guess they felt they didn't have the big guns to go after us."

The aquamen were led by highly-touted freshman Dave Barnes, who measured up to the reputation he made at Mission Viejo and Deerfield Academy by winning the 200 IM in a blazing 1:52.8--less than one second off the NCAA qualifying mark--and repeating with a victory in the 500 free at 4:30.9.

On the diving boards, yardling Dan Watson outbounced junior Jeff Mule and Columbia ace Paul Opperman to that the one-meter event at 321.1--and the three-meter contest at 350.1--both pool records and good enough to reserve a spot at the NCAA championships.

The Lion's only victory came in the 200 breast, with Brian Klew stroking t a 2:10.3 over sophomore Dean Putterman and Jim Carbone.

The Crimson qualified a total of 21 swimmers at Columbia for the Eastern Seaboard championships to be held in March. Captains Ted Chappell and Larry Countryman both earned a trip to the Easterns in the 1000 free, and doubled in the 200 butterfly and 500 free, respectively, Junior Andy Lockman also qualified in two events, the 200 and 500 free styles.

"It was a good solid team performance by us." Oberg said, adding that there was "no contest in the meet at all."

At Annapolis, the aquamen dedicated the brand-new LeJeune Physical Education Center, a 24-lane, 25 meter complex, by splashing to the 19 point victory.

Sophomore sprinter Mike Miao led the broadside with a double win as the Crimson stroked to nine top finishes against the Midshipmen.

Nice Guys

But most of the Harvard squad avoided its usual events to keep the meet close, Oberg said, adding that the Middies "weren't even capable of taking an event from us."

Returning to practice today, the aquamen will begin more intensive endurance workouts aimed at peaking for the Easterns in three months, coach Joe Bernal said last week.

The Crimson opens at Blodgett pool December 12 against the Cadets of Army. The meet is scheduled for 2 p.m.