Eli Team Rated Over Crimson In Cross Country Championship

Revenge will motivate the cross country team in the Heptagonals this afternoon as it tries to erase the lone blot on its four-year 28-meet record--last week's 29 to 26 loss to Yale.

On the basis of that win, the Elis must be established the favorite in the 3 p.m. meet at Van Cortlandt Park.

Although Yale has beaten both defending champion Cornell and the varsity by nearly identical scores, a victory is not assured the once-defeated Elis. For in addition to both of these teams, they must contend with Army.

Individual titile should go to Princetion's Rod Zwirner, who has defeated every major runner in the field. Close behind him will be Columbia's Jose Iglesias. Mike Midler of Cornell is favored for third place, while fourth should be a toss-up among the varsity's Pete Reider, Doug Brew of Dartmouth, Ed Sullivan of Brown, and Navy's Walt Meukow.

Yale has no one to compare with these seven, but they do have Tim Hogen and John Bogan, who should finish right behind them.

The varsity's Jim Schlaeppi and Dave Norris, who finished close to these two last week, must be figured in this group.

In a third bunch, Yale could place its final three men, in which case captain Dave McLean and Dick Wharton become the critical runners for the varsity.

Yale has the depth in the meet, with Bogan and Hogen close together. Their next three runners are separated from these two by nearly 30 seconds, which means that they are vulnerable at this point. In addition, they have no outstanding runner to challenge for the first spot.

Cornell is bothered by depth problems. Behind Midler, they have Dave Eckel, last year's champion, but a disappointment all year. Two sophomores, Charlie Hill and Nat Cravener, are not too far behind Eckel, while number five man Kirk McCreary is doubtful.

Therefore, if Reider can finish far enough ahead of Bogan and Hogen, and Schlaeppi and Norris can finish with them, McLean and Wharton, by breaking up Yale's final three finishers, could ice the meet for the varsity.

Although the team will miss the services of Ralph Perry, senior John Read could fill in the gap, as the rugged five-mile course is made for him. Either Dyke Benjamin or Bill Thompson will be the seventh starter for the varsity.