Varsity Crew Wins Initial Mid-West Race

MADISON, Wis., May 22--Seventy-five Harvard graduates--packed into a sight-seeing boat--yelled the varsity crew to a third of a length victory over the University of Wisconsin today in the Crimson's first mid-western appearance in 103 years of rowing.

Over the mile and three-quarter Lake Mendota course these loyal Crimson rooters cheered the varsity on to its third victory of the season, in the time of 9:20.2. The Badgers closed in 9:21.5.

Coming from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison, the group trailed the two-boat race from an antiquated sightseeing boat, proudly singing the praises of their alma mater. For most, the battle was the first Harvard sporting event they had seen since college.

Good Conditions

Conditions were good for an 11:30 a.m. race. A warm sun shone on the slightly undulating lake water, which was licked into small waves by the moderate headwind, but was not choppy enough to make rowing difficult.

Stroked by Larry Brownell, the varsity shell slipped to an early half length lead which it never lost, despite two Wisconsin bids during the middle of the race and then at the sprinting finish.

The varsity rowed smoothly and with noticeable swing as its opening stroke per minute start dropped gradually to 36 after the first 15 strokes. The beat then settled around 30 1/2 and 31 for the body of the race. Wisconsin's sophomore-laden crew lagged half to a full length behind, stroking one or two beats above the Crimson.

At the mile marker the Badgers took a "power ten" which jockeyed them to within half a length of the Crimson bow, but they were unable to stay up and slipped back to nearly a full length behind until the sprint.

Thoush tired, the varsity got a good run on the shell over this last quarter mile and raised the beat to 36, just enough to withstand a high-stroking Badger spurt. The two crews crossed the finish line half a length apart before hundreds of coeds jammed on sorority docks which jut into the lake.

Last Race Before Yale

Observers felt the varsity oarsmen rowed one of their smoothest races of the season, the last before the Yale duel on June 19. Their cadence was controlled and their cars neatly caught the water as they swung in unison. Four days before the race Coach Harvey Love had made his only line-up change of the rowing year when he moved Dick Darrell from three to seven position in place of Dick Higgins who dropped back to Darrell's place.