Improved Squash Players Possible Champions of US

When Coach Jack Barnaby scanned his list of varsity squash candidates in November, he knew he had one of the finest intercollegiate players in the country and the potential for a powerful squad.

Since then his team has played five intercollegiate matches and won them all--the last four by 9-0 scores.

First man Ben Heckscher has proven himself to be more than "one of the finest." Unbeaten and rarely threatened, he now must be ranked as the master of college squash.

But more important than the Crimson's supremacy in the first position is the strength which the team has developed in the eight remaining slots.

While the varsity has met no top caliber opponent since its convincing 6-3 victory over Navy in mid-December, it is evident that individual players have improved since then.

Five Tough Matches Remain

A comparison of scores between two matches with the Harvard Club's "A" league team clearly shows the varsity's development. Early in the season Heckscher was the only man strong enough to win. Last week only captain Pete Milton lost.

The play of Larry Sears in ninth position is also an indication of improvement. In November three men were in contention for the ninth slot. Before the Navy match Sears took over the chores and defeated his Middle opponent in straight games. Since then he has played in every match and won them all.

The squash season, however, is not over. After exams the Crimson must meet and defeat five of the toughest squads in the nation before it can claim an undefeated season and the Intercollegiate Crown.

The squad showed a flash of championship play against Navy. But the Middles lost on the road, and travelling sometimes affects the outcome in squash. Courts are slightly different in size, cause the ball to bounce at varying speeds, and are kept at different temperatures.

With these same factors working against him, Barnaby predicts that "at least one man will be off his game on the road when we face Army and Williams." Yale also will have an edge as it will play the Crimson in the four-walled confines of Payne Whitney Gym in New Haven.

At home the Crimson will face Princeton, Intercollegiate Champions last year. The Tigers, however, will sorely miss Roger Campbell and other Nassau horoes who have graduated. M.I.T. may also prove dangerous.

At this point it looks like fine coaching and hard practice will pay off. This Crimson team should go undefeated.