Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-20
CORNELL IS FAVOR|TE
But 1t is Hard to Guess
Winner
IN BIG VARSITY RACE
THE MEN ARE ALL IN PRIME
CONDITION.
Wisconsin Thought to Be a Strong
Probability-What the Ex-
perts Say.
IN BIG VARSITY RACE

POCGHKEEPSIE. n. Y. June a0-one
hundred and eleven brawny young men, the
finest specimens of physical development
that can be produced under the system OF
athletic training in vogue in American uni
Versities, are today putting the finishing
touches to their preparations for the inter-
collegiate races that are to be rowed on the
Poughkeepsle course tomorrow afternoon.
They comprise the fourteen crews of the
six universities that have been entered In
the three races which make up the days
program.
Reports received from all the crew head
quarters today as to the condition OF the
various contestants and their readiness TO
race show an average so high and at the
same time so equal as to force the con-
clusion that the university races tomorrow
will show one of the closest finishes ever
seen in these contests.
Although the sale Of tickets for the OBJ
servatton train and other indications point
TO the largest attendance tomorrow since
1897 comparatively few persons had ar
rived today, and the influx of college men
and others Will not be at its height until
tonight.
Cornell the Favorite.
Among those who are here such betting
as there is seems to favor Cornell, the gen.
eral opinion being based on the record of
last year, the magnificent form the varsity
crew has shown since il reached Pough-
keepsie and the confidence that Courtney
has shown whenever he has been Ques-
toned about his crew.
The Cornell adherents. however. received
something of a shock today and the stock
of Wisconsin went up several points at the
same time through statements by two such
Judges as A. ii. Flickwir, captain OF Penn
sylvania, 1901. Henley crew, and John Ro-
gers. jr.. the former Yale rowing coach.
Both saw all the crews at work yesterday
for the first time and both expressed the
opinion that Wisconsins chances of win
ming this year are better than ever before.
Opinions of the Experts
Flickwir thinks that their stronger phys
ique and greater average are the qualities
that will put them to the front, while Ro-
gers says:
Wisconsin has what Cornell lacks the
power in the boat TO stand any amount OF
punishment and finish strong as has been
their finest characteristic in the past"
When Courtney heard what these gentle
men had to say about his crew he smiled
and said:
1T may be so. You know I have told you
all along that there are a lot of good crews
here and that it is anybodys race until its
over
Ideal water conditions prevailed this
afternoon when the crews went out for
practice.
FIVE Columbia crews were boated. Han
lon followed one boat after another in mis-
launch, megaphoning instructions. He lined
up his boats for a quick start and a short
brush. The freshmen received a handicap
of three-quarters of a length. The varsity
boats started on even terms. The crews
got off well together, rowing the high stroke
of SO for three-eighths Of a mile.
Varsity Won by a Fraction.
The varsity won out by a fraction OF q
length over the freshmen with the four
several lengths in the rear. The boats
then rowed a quarter of a mile further up
the river and then turned around for
second start and quarter-mile contest
against the tide. No handicap was given
the freshmen. The varsity rowed 81
throughout, while the freshmen did not ex-
ceed 35, and the former crew won by a full
length.
Both Wisconsin crews were out this MORN
ing without Coach O'Dea. Each crew row.
ed two miles at a moderate stroke, going
down the river at first and returning with
the tide in short spurts. The coxswains OF
both crews drilled their men in racing
starts and hitting up the stroke on spurts.
The work at the Syracuse boat house was
very light The Syracuse oarsmen deny The
rumor that their varsity eight is over
trained