Men's Squash Clinches Ivy Title

Earlier this month, many of the Harvard and Yale men's squash members faced off in the United States Squash and Racquets Association Tournament in Philadelphia, with Harvard coming out on top, 5-0.

For the nation's number-one-ranked Crimson squash team, yesterday was just another workout at the ol' gym. Harvard performed its magic on the Elis once again, smashing Yale, 9-0, at Hemenway Gym.

With the victory, the racquetmen claimed their fifth consecutive Intercollegiate Squash and Racquet Association nine-man championship, which goes to the college team with the best overall record. Harvard also captured its fifth straight Ivy League title.

The Crimson also extended its winning streak to 58 consecutive games.

"Winning streaks tend to get more interesting to talk about," Harvard Coach Dave Fish said. "It also tends to take away from the accomplishments by the team. But this team earned everything that it has accomplished."

Harvard's entire line-up played well against the Elis. Due to number-one player's Russ Ball's groin injury, everyone had to move up a spot for the second straight contest.

Will Iselin, playing in the number-five position, recorded the Crimson's first victory, with a 15-11, 15-8, 15-8 decision over Yale's Erik Wohlgemuth.

After Harvard Co-Captain Joe Dowling, playing at number two, downed Cyrus Metha in three straight games, Doug Lifford followed with a tough, five-game victory over Keith Flavell, 17-16, 13-15, 14-17, 15-5, 15-5 to give the Crimson a commanding 3-0 lead.

Harvard Co-Captain and number-four player, Kevin Jernigan, was taken to the limit by Yale's Alex Dean. A few encouraging words from his teammates and a lot of match-experience vaulted Jernigan to a 15-12, 10-15, 15-9, 8-15, 15-6 victory.

Bow-Wow

With the Crimson ahead, 4-0, Harvard's number one Darius Pandole took center court. Throughout the match, Pandole hit some fine reverse corner shots and placed his drop shots where he wanted, smashing the Elis' Thomas Clayton in three straight games, 15-7, 15-10, 15-10 to clinch the Crimson's 11th win of the season.

John Bernheimer, Jack Colbourne, James Gilfillan, and Greg Lee all scored straight-games victories to round out the match.

"It was a pretty consistent season for us," Iselin said. "We were just more experienced."

Now that the racquetmen have captured the nine-man title, on the Men's Intercollegiate Squash and Racquet Association six-man championship in New Haven, Conn., remains. Harvard has captured the six-man title 15 times including the last six years in a row.

NOTEBOOK: During the Crimson's 58 game winning streak, the squad has won 491 individual matches, while surrendering only 32...Harvard has also recorded 39 shutouts during the streak...Dave Fish is 11-0 lifetime against Yale...The last time the Crimson lost to Yale (in 1961), John F. Kennedy was President of the United States...Harvard now leads the series with Yale, 47-15...The JV lost a close 5-4 decision to Yale.