SWIMMERS ARE UNDERDOGS IN TODAY'S MEET

With three decisive victories already under their belts in the current campaign, Coach Hal Ulen's Varsity swimmers invade Dartmouth today in an effort to extend an 11-year winning streak against the Big Green mermen by still another season.

Not since the rivalry opened in 1931 have the Indians succeeded in beating the Crimson tankmen, but this year Dartmouth rules a slight favorite to break the long-standing jinx. Unless the Crimson has all the breaks in today's meet, the chances are the Big Green will prove too strong and will take the meet handily.

2nds and 3rds Count

As a matter of fact, it is not so much a question of Dartmouth having more so-called "stars" than Harvard, but rather that the Indians boast a better-balanced, more all-around team.

A famous swimming coach was once heard to remark that "it is not the first places that win a swimming meet; it is the accumulation of seconds and thirds that usually do the job." This afternoon's meet will probably prove this statement--perhaps, very much to the Crimson's detriment.

Despite the odds, however, it is safe to say that the Indians will be none-too-sure of themselves this afternoon, particularly since the amazing statement that Hal Ulen made yesterday when he publicly said that he would swim free style artist Bus Curwen in the medley relay and 200-yard breast stroke instead of in the 220 and 440 free styles.

From this seat it looks as though Hal's statement was little more than an attempt to make the Big Green nervous about the butterfly event, which they probably thought was completely sewed up. If Ulen lives up to his assertion, the Indians will have to plan to swim against a man whom they know nothing about, as far as his butterflying ability goes, and this lack of information presents a terrific psychological handicap.

Ulen Taking A Risk

On the other hand, Ulen would be taking a tremendous risk in swimming Curwen in the butterfly. In the first place, whatever his ability, Bus could, at best, get a second, for Martens of Dartmouth is one of the best butterfliers in the East. Secondly, by swimming Curwen in the breast stroke, his talents in the long distance free styles would automatically be wasted.

Without doubt the outstanding race of the entire meet will be the 150-yard back stroke. Captain Jim O'Mara of Dartmouth, for three years one of the finest college stars in the country, will be out to avenge the setback he received at Harvard last winter as he again faces the Crimson's Bill Drucker.

Drucker nipped O'Mara by inches in winning last winter, and the feeling is that, whatever the outcome of the meet in general, "Druck" will hang the Indian sign on O'Mara again this year.