Blakinger to Lead Matmen Next Year

The Harvard varsity wrestling team elected aggressive lightweight Dan Blakinger captain of the 1973-74 squad yesterday. The 118-pound grappler succeeds 190-pound standout, Richie Starr.

Blakinger, who joined Starr as one of Harvard's winningest wrestlers this season, picked up 15 wins and a loss and placed sixth in the Eastern championship tourney. After two season in the varsity squad, Blakinger has compiled a 27-4 record.

"He's one of the hardest working wrestlers I've ever seen," coach John Lee said yesterday. "His enthusiasm just permeates throughout the practice room."

As a freshman, Blakinger captured third place in the National AAU tournament at 108 pounds. Last year, weighing 118-pounds he placed sixth in the Easterns.

Seeded third in this year's Easterns, Blakinger ran up against overpowering opposition. He took two straight preliminary matches, but dropped a 13-4 decision to Lehigh freshman Mike Frick, who went on to win the title.

Frick, who usually weighs between 135-145 pounds, will be Blakinger's nemesis next year. Blakinger must contend with a size disadvantage if he is to place higher than sixth in the East.

"He almost never loses a match on moves," Lee said. "Size is almost always a factor." After losing the Eastern semifinals, Blakinger said his opponents treated him "like a toothpick."

But with Blakinger returning next year more determined than ever, Harvard can count on exciting wins at 118. Winning at 190 may be less predictable.

Starr, who closed out his college wrestling career with a whopping 35-1-2 record, will be difficult to replace next year. This season, he was the only Crimson grappler to defeat a Cal Poly wrestler, pinning his man in the first round. Starr worked an important pin against a Springfield opponent to give Harvard the meet victory over the Chiefs.

Although Starr was seeded first in this year's Easterns, he was plagued with bad luck and tougher opponents. After losing the semi-finals he settled for fifth place. At a squad banquet last week, Starr received the Ames award for the most valuable wrestler on the team.

Carl Biello (134), who had to sit out the Easterns this year with an ankle injury compiled a 7-0-1 record this season and is expected to win considerably more matches next year. Jim Strathmeyer, who received this year's Ames award for the most improved wrestler, should be over the first year nervousness to threaten the East.