Louria, Claflin Place Fourth In Eastern Wrestling Finals

The Varsity wrestling team was out of its League in Bethlehem, Pa., last weekend as Lehigh University powered to its second straight Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Championship. Penalized ten points because it did not enter men in the 136 and 128 pound classes, the Crimson squad finished second to last in the team scoring, getting two fourth places in the individual scoring.

In the 175-pound class Bob Claflin upset second-seeded Kassak of Penn on a referee's decision in the quarterfinals, but in the semis lost a 6 to 0 decision to George Gebhardt of Syracuse, who was runner-up in that weight. In the subsequent consolation bout to decide third place, Claflin was beaten, 1 to 0, by John Finley of Army.

Louria Loses to Old Opponent

Don Louria, seeded second in the 165-pound class, reached the semi-finals where he met Paschal Perri of Syracuse, who beat him four years ago when both were in high school. Perri turned the trick again via a 10 to 3 decision and then went on to win the individual championship. Somewhat hampered by an injured shoulder, Louria lost to Pack Howard of Yale, 6 to 2, to drop into fourth place.

Captain Pete Fuller tossed a second round, 4 to 2, decision to George La Sasse of Lehigh when he fell into a near fall in the third period, while Dan Ray lost a 6 to 2 decision to McClure of Syracuse, the man who defeated him last year. Both Ray and Fuller took pins in the first round.

Coombs, Conant Lose

Dave Coombs at 121 and Jim Conant at 155, the only other Crimson entries, both lost in the opening rounds, Coombs by a decision and Conant by a fall.

Just what the condition of 'Eastern wrestling is, and where Harvard therefore stands, was clarified when John Fictcher, Navy 145-pounder, took the outstanding-wrestler-of-the meet award. After winning the same distraction last year, Fletcher entered the National championships which Western boys are allowed to enter and got only as far as third place where he was soundly beston.