Women Harriers, UMass To Face Off in Opener

Two grueling weeks of pre-season training camp in beautiful Groton, Mass., and a whole slew of talent-laden freshman bode well for the Crimson's women harriers as they take on U Mass. in this afternoon's season opener at Franklin Park.

Despite the loss of last year's number two and three women--senior captain Johanna Foreman, who'll be back in February, and British sensation Paula Newnham, grounded with a foot injury--coach Pappy Hunt anticipates an outstanding season.

And with good reason: the incomparable Darlene Beckford is back in the number one spot and running better than ever. Add the steadily improving Kristen Linsley and the harriers should have an awesome one-two punch. "They're as good as anything in New England--in fact as good as anything in the East," Hunt boasts.

But Harvard will have to be more than merely good to stay ahead of its increasingly recruit-bolstered opponents. Apart from improved Ivy League teams, schools like U Mass., U. of Rhode Island, U. Conn., and U.V.M., who can afford to recruit the top runners in the country, will challenge the Harriers. "There's no such thing as a breather anymore," laments Hunt, but his squad feels it's talented enough to challenge the best this year.

Some faces to look for this fall:

Sophomore Ellen Gallagher, slated behind Beckford and Linsley in the number three spot. Gallagher is an unknown quantity--having sat out last year with mono--but has shown great potential in pre-season and could really boost the team.

Sophomore Wiley McCarthy fills the number four slot. Never having run before last year, McCarthy was doing ten-minute two-miles by early summer and has had two months to gain speed and experience. Captain Becky Stone, a senior half-miler on the track team, will compete this fall at fifth spot.

Ah, yes, and the freshmen. Coach Hunt glows at the mention of his new runners, repeatedly exclaiming "enormous potential!" and "what tremendous spirit!" Five freshmen in particular could improve the harriers' chances at the New England and AAIAW titles this fall: Eva Anderson, Pat French, Lis Harrigan, Anne Holtzworth, and Linda Yeager.

Talent alone, however, is not enough, and while the harriers may look unbeatable on paper they lack experience. Notes Hunt, "We could be extremely explosive this year or just another good team. This meet today will give us a good indication of which way we'll go."

U Mass won't be an easy debut for the new harriers. Last year's New England champs, they lost only two dual meets in the past six years (both to Harvard), and the harriers meet next weekend against a much improved U.R.I. squad.