Mermen Open at Tech Pool Tonight

In the official opener of the '47-'48 season, the varsity swimming squad tests the M.I.T. natators in the Tech pool tonight. Despite the Engineers one-win, two-loss record for this year, the meet is considered a toss-up.

In the preliminary, starting at 7:30 o'clock, the Freshman swimmers will race the M.I.T. yearlings.

Tech Strong In Sprints

Coach Hal Ulen's men hold an edge in the 220, 440, breaststroke, and diving, while Tech's strongth lies in the sprints. Top men certain of secing action tonight for the Crimson are: Milt Buzby in the 50 and 100-yard sprints, Jerry Gorman, Eastern Intercollegiate 440-yard swimming champion, in the 220 and 440, captain Chuck Hoelzer in the medley and 200-yard breaststroke, Ted Norris, national long distance king, in the 220 and 440, and Red Woods in the medley and 150-yard backstroke.

M.I.T. will counter with backstroker Bon Dann, breaststroker Bob Polletier, and sprinters Jim Leonard, Carl Mellin, and Jack Searle. Brown and Wesleyan accounted for the two Tech defeats, while its lone win was registered over Amherst.

First, Last Till '48

This will be the Varsity's only meet until the new year. The next Crimson contest is against Army at West Point on January 10.

With what coach Bill Brooks terms an "evenly balanced" squad, the Yardlings, also opening their season, will face their toughest race in the breaststroke. Tech's Bob Schwartzman, formerly the Tennessee Interscholastic breaststroke title-holder, looms as a threat to the pool record. Opposing him will be Stan Cook and Rene Vielman.

Bob Burke, Bill Graham, and Bob Tolf are the team's best medley relay combination, Brooks said, praising Burke as an all-round free styler as well. Divers Gordon Weirs and Hugh Shepley were also lauded. 200-yard free styler Poto Bierre and backstroker Fred Glynn, both without previous competitive experience, are also slated to start.