Unbeaten Trackmen Host Crusaders, Face Stiffest Opposition Since Army

The varsity track squad will face its first team test since December's meet with Army when it entertains the cinder men from Holy Cross tonight at Briggs Cage, beginning at 6 p.m.

Superior depth, particularly in the distance events, should enable the Crimson to turn back the Crusaders, but this Holy Cross team contains some shining stars, and, with a few surprises in the sprint and hurdles, is capable of pulling on upset.

In last Wednesday's New England AAU championships, a Crusader contingent outscored a smaller group of Crimson runners, 31-18, on the strength of a stellar high-jumping performance by Kevin O'Brien and 600 and 100-yard victories by Bob. Credle and Bob Bartolini.

These three will be hard pressed to repeat those wins tonight, Junior ace Keith Chiappa who did not run Wednesday, should push Credle in the 1000 and may outlast him at the finish. Both Ed Meehan and John Ogden, two more who eat out the AAU meet, rate a good chance of beating Bartolini in the 4000.

In the high jump, Crimson sophomore Chris Pardee, who has cleared 6 ft., 83/4 in. this winter, should edge O'Brien, whose best of the current indoor season is a mere 6 ft., 7 in.

In the hurdles, the top three finishers are almost sure to be O'Brien, steady Crimson sophomore Tony Lynch, and Aggrey Awori, but the order of finish is anybody's guess.

Crusader sophomore Chris Shea should give Holy Cross a place in the sprint. Both Shea and Crusader captain Dick Malberger will push Chris Ohiri in the broad-jump, but the Nigerian is virtually unbeatable in dual competition.

The pole vault, the weight events, and the mile and two-mile runs all appear safe for the Crimson, although the Crusaders have a fairly solid second in both the shot, with Mike Hanman, and the two-mile, with sophomore Bob Clarke.