Grapplers Prove Un-Wizardly

The Harvard men's wrestling team, thrust onto the yellow-brick road of an Ivy League schedule, is indeed finding resistance from various Lions, Tigers, and bears.

After barely defeating the Tigers from Princeton last Saturday, the grapplers were devoured by Columbia yesterday afternoon, 38-8, in New York. The Crimson will attempt to resume its winning ways this afternoon when it travels to Providence to face Brown.

The loss evened Harvard's overall record at 6-6, 1-3 in the Ivies. Columbia raised its record to 8-4, 3-1 in league action.

The carnivorous Lions licked their lips early, jumping out to a 12-0 lead in the match. The Crimson forfeited the 118-lb. contest, choosing to wrestle 118-lb. Todd Cameron in the 126-lb. slot. Cameron paid immediately for that promotion, as he was pinned after one minute and 15 seconds had elapsed in the match.

Harvard's Jeff Barcy was not deterred by the inauspicious beginning, and proceeded to tame Tom Yankanich at 134-lbs. Trailing throughout the match, Barcy delivered a late reversal to give him a 13-12 victory.

The Lions reestablished dominion in their den, yielding only a combined eight points to their next three Crimson opponents. Though Columbia was virtually assured of victory after posting a 22-3 lead, it was humbled somewhat by Harvard Co-Captain Pete Holmes, a modern-day wrestling Daniel.

Holmes, undefeated this season, practiced every wrestling element except restraint on Lion George Crum in the 167-lb. match. Holmes was awarded the technical pin after taking a 17-2 lead early in the third round. His victory gave the Crimson its last five points of the afternoon.

And while New York proved not to be the wrestlers' Emerald City, Providence isn't looking to precious either. The Bruins sport a 9-2-1 record, and are tied with the Lions for second place in the Ivy League.