The Fab Five: Harvard’s Top Fall Varsity Teams, Week 5

After last weekend, it’s time to shake things up a bit. With one top-five team not in action and strong performances from two teams on the outside looking in, the top five needed some reshuffling.

5. Men’s Heavyweight Crew

The rowers took first place in the championship eights division of the Head of the Charles Regatta, finishing perhaps the most prestigious race of the fall season in just over 14 minutes. Plus, there were free samples of everything along the banks of the river all weekend.

Previous Rank: Not Ranked

4. Sailing

Once again, the sailing team competed in multiple races with snobbish names. The team finished fifth at the Stu Nelson Trophy regatta, 13th at the Hoyt Trophy regatta, 12th at the Ober trophy, and 8th at the BC Invitational.

Previous Rank: 3

3. Women’s Tennis

The Crimson finished its fall season at the ITA Northeast Regional. All six Harvard participants advanced at least to the second round of the main draw, while juniors Kristin Norton and Camille Jania both played into the fourth round of singles and doubles competition before being eliminated.

Previous Rank: 4

2.  Women’s Soccer (10-4-1, 4-0-1 Ivy)

As it turns out, Harvard soccer does have something to cheer about. The women’s team is currently riding a three-game winning streak, beating Princeton last weekend to gain sole possession of first place in the Ivy League. The team plays its final home game on Saturday against Dartmouth before ending its regular season next weekend.

Previous Rank: Not Ranked

1. Football (5-1, 3-0 Ivy)

Congratulations, Coach Murphy. You have the top two performers in the Ivy League, but they both play the same position, and it’s not clear who’s better. After two consecutive record-breaking performances from junior quarterback Colton Chapple, the Crimson started a healthy Collier Winters behind center on Saturday against Princeton. He didn’t exactly disappoint in his return, throwing for 403 yards and five touchdowns and running for one more score in the Crimson’s 56-39 win. Maybe Murphy should just have Chapple and Winters pass to each other.

Previous Rank: 1