Heavies Fifth in Opener

When a Harvard men's crew coxswain in Dave Corey says. "There's no substitute for winning," he knows what he's talking about

On Saturday in San Diego. Harvard--opening its 125th season as a national rowing powerhouse--took fifth in varsity and second in junior varsity competition in the heavyweight division at the San Diego Crew Classic. It felt good, but not good enough.

"We rowed a good race, and perhaps it's [the loss] because we're just starting out our season," said senior Caption Bill Fitzgerald of the varsity eight's finish behind Washington-"Just a tremendous crew"--California and Navy in the varsity championship.

The Crimson rowing in borrowed shells but using their own blades, had to deal with turbulent waters, shifting winds, two of the strongest Western crews--Washington and California--and their own inexpedience.

Both Harvard and boats have been together for barely a week and four of the varsity oarsmen and their cox are sophomores (freshmen are ineligible for Ivy League varsity crew competition): In fast, Fitzgerald's only qualm about the contest was that "we let Penn slip by us for fourth place."

In the junior varsity race. Harvard had to compensate an opponent more than just slipping. At the halfway mark of the 2000-meter course the Washington eight, up by two seats, found its way into Harvard's lane forcing the Crimson shell off the course momentarily.

Rowing in a crosswind, the Husky crew overcompensated for the drift--right into Harvard. "I heard our cox yell, 'Washington, give me room,'" sophomore stroke Amos Gelb said.

But the Crimson was already into lane zero, and in returning to the course Washington had the inside lane, giving the Huskies and advantage they never gave up.

Nevertheless, "We've gotten off to a good start." Corey said, and Fitzgerald echoed his optimism. "They're going to be a tremendous crew."

The captain added he was pleased with his own crew's effort, but sophomore cox Devin Mahony was a bit more critical. "Basically, you could say we rowed hard, but it wasn't very efficient," she remarked.

Mabony attributed part of the varsity's troubles to unfamiliar equipment, surroundings and teammates adding that she expects the team to come together as a scrappy boat with a lot of finesse."

Gelb had fewer reservations about the j.v., citing as the squad's major drawback its lack of practice together. "Some boats just feel like they re right," he said. "this boat feels right."

Misston Bay, San Diego

Varsity First Heat: 1. California 6.30 4; 2. Navy 6:32.0; 3. HARVARD 6:36.9 (bow-Neil Oleson, 2-Paul Paradis, 3-Dave Reavill, 4-Chris McDougall, 5-Steve Potter, 6-Bill Fitzgerald, 7-James Fargo, stroke-Michael Scott. cox Devin Mahony); 4. Wisconsin 6:43.9; 5. San Diego State 6:52.2; 6. California-Irvine 7:13.2.

Varsity Championship: Washington 5:59.5; 2. California 6:02.5; 3. Navy 6:06.0; 4. Pennsylvania 6:11.1; 5. HARVARD 6:12.5; 6.Yale 6:12.9.

Second Varsity Championship: 1. Washington 6:21.6; 2. HARVARD 6:27.9 (bow-Chris Richards, 2-Tom Gill, 3-Rick Wisentaner, 4-Dean Robinson, 5-Arthur Hollingsworth, 6-Ted Doolittle, 7-John Hornblower, stroke-Amos Gelb, cox-Dave Corey); 3. Navy 6:31.8; 4. Yale 6:32.9; 5. California 6:40.4; 6. Northeastern 6:46.3.