Crimson Aquamen Capture Fifth Straight Eastern Title

The Harvard men's swimming team captured its fifth consecutive Eastern Seaboard Swimming Championship at the U.S. Naval Academy this weekend, outdistancing its nearest rival by 110 points.

Scoring 350 points in the meet's final two days, the Crimson returned the Bob Kiputh trophy--symbol of dominance in Eastern waters--to its now-familiar spot in Coach Joe Bernal's office with a 506-point total. Ivy near-rival Princeton finished second at 396, with Cinderella-team Brown edging Columbia for third, 310-256.

The aquamen never threatened their own team scoring record of 662 points, set last year at West Point. Their effort was severely hampered by the absence of senior Captain Ted Chappell and junior sprinter Mike Miao, both sidelined with injuries.

Sophomore All-American Dave Barnes grabbed Harvard's first individual first-place finish, repeating as champion in the 400 individual medley Friday.

In diving, Sophomore All-American Dan Watson remained undefeated in Eastern competition, capturing the three-meter title Saturday. Watson also won the one-meter competition and repeated as recipient of the Karl Michael Award, given to the meet's high-point diver.

The Crimson also repeated as champion in the 800 free relay Friday, as senior Tom Verdin, swimming the anchor spot normally held by Chappell, held off a late surge by Columbia's Tony Corbisiero. American record holder in the 800 meter free, to take the event by .05 seconds.

Freshman PETER EGAN, seen above in action against Yale earlier this season, helped Harvard to a third place finish in the 400 medley relay Thursday.