Harvard Heavies Hound Brown

The Harvard heavyweight crew team fought a pair of opponents yesterday: Brown and water as tumultuous as Ed Meese's Department of Justice.

The Crimson managed to vanquish both foes en route to a four-and-a-half second victory over the Bruins in Providence.

The JV squad also pulled out a three-second victory over Brown.

In the varsity race, Brown snuck to an early advantage, and held it until the midpoint of the race. Then the Harvard craft took charge, creeping past the Bruin boat and into the lead.

The race marked the beginning of Harvard's spring season.

"We're pleased," Harvard Captain Steve Wayne said. "We expected Brown to be very good. They held an early lead, but in the base of the piece, we made our move."

The Crimson and Bruins had to battle rough waters, but were aided in their efforts by a strong tail wind.

The risk in racing in difficult weather is catching an oar in the waves. Under such conditions, crew becomes a maniacal struggle both to keep the craft afloat and to propel it as fast a possible.

"We had to make sure in the second half of the race that we concentrated well," Harvard coxswain Jim Crick said. "In rougher waters, the oar sometimes catches and you stall."

The Crimson and Bruins will meet again. Several times, as a matter of fact.

"We'll see Brown three or four times this season," Crick said. "It was very important for us to start out on the right foot."

As a matter of fact, Harvard will meet Brown next week. The Crimson and Bruins will both participate in the Redwood City Regatta in California beginning Thursday.

Weather--and water--in California tends to be better than in the East, although Harvard proved yesterday that rough waters could pave the way for a smooth start.