Fencers Wrap Up Season With Yale at IAB

For any self-respecting Harvard man, or so the myth runs, there is nothing more important than a win over Yale. Well, for the Crimson fencing team, which closes out its season this afternoon against the Elis at the IAB, a win over Yale means a whole lot more.

You see, all that stands between the Crimson and the Ivy League fencing celler is Yale. And all that is left to determine who wins the hindspot in the League is today's match.

Wiping Mat

Crimson coach Edo Marion is well aware of the import of this afternoon's contest, and yesterday, after a season that has seen the Crimson beaten four straight times by Ivy adversaries, he said, (wishing aloud), "I hope we won't be the wiping mat on the threshold for the rest of the League."

Crimson captain Terry Valenzuela, fencing in his last Harvard match, is also well aware of the importance of today's contest. "This one is for the cellar," he said after the Holy Cross contest Tuesday. "I guess you'd call it the Toilet Bowl."

Record of Futility

If Harvard is going to win an Ivy match this year, today is the day, because Yale is also bearer of an 0-4 League mark, having run up a record of futility equal to the Crimson's. And a win over Yale would be some consolation for a lost season.

Last year an upset in New Haven deprived Harvard of sole possession of second place in the Ivies. This year Harvard will have this memory to spur it on, should the imposing prospect of a last place finish not be enough.

According to Marion, the Yale squad is a "pretty good team" and the match should be close. The Elis are strongest in the sabre where Yale has three fairly competent southpaw fencers to offer.

Fencing lefthanders could provide an additional difficulty for Harvard's sabre team. The Crimson has not had much experience against left handers and the indoctrination this afternoon could take some time. Hopefully, it will not take so much time that the match will be lost on account of a Yale triumph in the weapon.

No Distinction

Marion predicts that the Yale foil team will be about equal to Harvard's, but that is really no distinction. Harvard has been inconsistent all year, and the Elis can match that distinction thrust for thrust.

In epee Harvard should have a slight edge. Yale hasn't done much to speak of in the weapon, and there is no reason to expect more this afternoon.