Mermen Visit Philadelphia; Penn Meet Appears Close

Only last year, Penn's swimming team was about as awe-inspiring as Brown's football team or breakfast in the Union. The Quakers were consistent shoe-ins to share last place in the EISL with Columbia.

But, like so many other teams at the state university, the swimming squad has benefited from the great quantity of talent that has been attracted to the school recently by the zealous recruiting.

Quaker coach George Breen, a one-time medalist in the Olympics, may have been a bit carried away two weeks ago his team had just lost to Yale by a mere 25 points-when he said, "The rivalry has started." But for the first time in many years, Penn should give the Crimson a lot of competition in today's 4 p. m. meet in the IAB.

A victory by Penn would be an upset, but not a major one. Harvard, only two weeks ago tied for first place, has slipped to third, and a loss this week would put the Crimson and Penn in a fourth-place tie. This opportunity gives the Quakers considerable incentive. Furthermore, a win by the Quakers would be their first over the Crimson since 1947, so they have even more reason for a top effort.

Penn's most outstanding swimmers are Steve Kowal, Rich Hass, Larry Reider, Joe Mann, Pete Redmayne and diver Bob Koons. Kowal is a fast freestyler at 100 and 200 yards, and a great race could come in the 100-free against Harvard's Mike Cahalan. Al Ackerman will probably meet Kowal in a fast 200-free.

Challenge in Breaststroke

Mann will be challenging Dave Powlison and fast-improving Greg Huff in the distance freestyles, while Reider is the favorite in the breaststroke, in which he will race against Steve Baumgart and Dave Law.

While the above events may go either way, Harvard has a distant advantage in the backstroke, butterfly, 50-free, and individual medley. Penn will need superlative performances all-around to counter this advantage.

"It should be another good meet," said Harvard coach Bill Brooks, whose team has come out the loser in the last two "good" meets. But Brooks added that he was extremely encouraged by his squad's hard work this past week after the disappointing loss to Princeton.