Parker to Skipper Women's Nationals; Women to Fight Individually for Spots

Harry Parker, Harvard heavyweight crew coach, announced this weekend that he would accept a two-year position as coach of the first U.S. women's national rowing team.

In the past racing trials held each June determined U.S. representatives to women's rowing competitions. However, this summer oarswomen from clubs and colleges including Radcliffe will compete individually for sports in a composite U.S. eight at a national camp to be held in Princeton in late June.

In 1972, Parker developed and coached the first U.S. men's national rowing camp. His crew went on to win a silver medal in the Munich Olympics that summer.

Mark of Excellence

John Baker, Radcliffe crew coach, who was present at the U.S. Women's Olympic Rowing Committee meeting where Parker announced his acceptance, said he thought Parker would do an excellent job.

"I'm sure that Harry will give the women's eight the same attention to detail and training that he has given to the men's teams he has coached," Baker said yesterday. "But the most important thing is that there will finally be a national eight."

The past two U.S. women's eights, the Nationals winners, made poor showings on the international racing circuit. Winner Radcliffe placed second to last at the World University Games in 1973, while Vesper Boat Club finished last at the European Championships in Lucerne last summer.

Baker said he believes "things are going to change a lot" in this year's competition. "I'd put my money on lots of medals," he said.

Parker was unavailable for comment.