Tracksters to Open Today

The Crimson harriers open their 1980 spring season today against Princeton in a haze of uncertainty. With abundant talent and depth, the only drawback to a winning season may prove injuries on this perennially ailing squad.

Crimson powerhouses Adam Dixon and John Murphy are out of today's line-up, Dixon plagued with a mysterious blood virus and Murphy with lingering winter-season injuries, leaving the trackmen shaky in the middle distance events.

Tri-captain Thad McNulty and freshman Eric Schuler will have to take up the slack and turn in top performances if the tracksters are to remain in the running.

Assistant coach Frank Haggarty predicts the hurdles events as the squad's strength this spring. Returning junior Lance Miller holds a time of 52.4 seconds in the 440 intermediary hurdles, as fast as anyone currently in the Ivies. Harvard's veteran high hurdler Chuck Johnson joins the ranks of the injured for this weekend's meet but should recover in time to provide crucial depth.

The harriers should fare well in the 100-and 200-yd. events as the sprinters are comparatively flourishing in health. Tricaptain Joe Salvo and junior Jean Chapus will constitute a tough duo in the 100 and 200, and last year's returning sprint relay team, anchored by speedster Peter Nsaih, will pose a formidable threat on any track.

The Crimson appears equally solid in the 440, despite the noticeable absence of the versatile Dixon. After a strong winter season, junior David Frim should help fill the gap to lead the quarter-milers.

Classmate Ryan Lamppa, who ran an impressive 48.5 leg in the mile relay earlier this year, follows the current fashion of the Mid-Year Injury.

Field coach Ed Stowell has mixed feelings about his squad's prospects for the spring season, admitting to some very strong events balanced with several weaker ones.

New Position

"The long jump and triple jump will be our great field strengths" predicts Stowell, and with freshmen long jumpers Gus Udo and Jim Johnson consistently hitting over 23 feet his prediction looks sound. The tracksters have four triple jumpers who can best the imposing figure 47 feet.