Varsity Trackmen to Face Powerful Boston U. Squad

Depth will be the deciding factor when the Crimson track team opens its season this afternoon against a star-laden Boston University squad at 1:30 p.m. in Briggs Cage.

The Crimson appears to have the edge in the hurdles, two-mile run, and both relays, but the Terriers are considered the clear favorites in the pole vault, weight, mile, and shot put.

Bob Rittenburg, most valuable performer in this summer's Maccabean Games, will be the varsity workhorse. Rittenburg is favored in the hurdles and relay, and is rated a toss-up with B.U.'s Tom Covington in the broad jump. Alan Howe and Jack Richards will run the Crimson's 600 against the Terriers' Willie Smith. Hal Gerry will run the mile and Hubie Maguire races in the two-mile event.

B.U. hopes rest mainly on three performers including Smith, who is considered the choice in both the 600 and 1000 if he runs them. Also rated a sure winner is IC4A champion Johnny Kelly, who can run either the mile or the two-mile, or both. Bruce Hescock will match endurance with Rittenburg, representing the Terriers in the high jump, in which he has leaped 6' 4" and the pole vault where he consistently does 12' 6". Hescock also throws the 35-pound weight.

B.U. strength in the sprints should come chiefly from Bill Schearer, a 9.8 man in the 100. Nat Baker and Bob Bates are considered better than average in the shot and weight departments.

Varsity Coach Bill McCurdy is counting on the Crimson's depth to carry the day. But the big question mark, he admits, is the relative condition of the two teams this early in the season.