UNIVERSITY CREW LEADS JUNIOR EIGHT IN FIRST RACE OVER MILE COURSE

Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock Dr. Howe sent his two University crews over the one-mile basin course in their first test of the season under the new seating conditions. In this race the eights were boated the same as last Thursday with the exception of S. N. Brown '24, stroke of the Junior crew, who was replaced by E. S. Matthews '23. So close was the choice that no definite decision could be made between them, the final position resting on the toss of a coin.

Crew A, stroked by Walter Amory '24, held the lead after the start and had a comfortable margin of three lengths at the finish line. Although Crew B, getting away to a perfect start, shot ahead for a few strokes at the beginning, the advantage was of short duration and the first University boat steadily increased its lead to the end. The time was rather slow, but this may be attributed to the rough surface of the basin, a sharp cross wind serving to make the water choppy to such an extent that anything like smooth rowing was impossible.

Strenuous Work This Week

With the seating of his two crews now definitely settled for the time being, Dr. Howe will devote this week primarily to strenuous daily work-outs and general conditioning in preparation for the Pennsylvania test on April 29.

The University shells will practice separately today and there is no probability of any changes in the seating being made before vacation. W. W. Wood '24 and B. H. Burnham '24 coxed the crews in Saturday's race, but today J. T. Lanman Jr. '23 in conjunction with E. N. Carson '24 will bear the tiller responsibilities of Crews A and B respectively. These positions are by no means permanent, however, it being Dr. Howe's plan to shift the coxswains freely each day until the April recess.

In addition to the University race, the three class 150-pound crews were pitted against one another over the mile course. The 1924 eight crossed the finish line a third of a length in the lead, 1922 and 1923 following closely in the order named. The class crews were also given a long work-out on Saturday, the practice being varied with occasional half-mile brushes which resulted in a virtual draw among the four boats.

The first three Freshman crews were given a hard hour's work on Saturday. Numerous changes were made in the seating orders, but no definite grading will be announced until tomorrow when Dr. Howe and Coach Bert Haines hope to have a more final ranking in effect. The chief obstacle now to be remedied in the yearling boats is a uniform lack of weight, no combination at present averaging more than 168 pounds; this is one of the chief points under consideration by the coaches in picking a first yearling eight.