Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-23
VARSITY FIGHTS
HAVE EVEN CHANCE
No Crew a Pronounced Fav0rite
in the Intercollegiate Con-
test at Poughkeepsie.
BIZ Edward r. Bushnell.

All critics will agree that no bunch Of
crews ever presented such an open field as
the seven varsity eights which will row
for the intercollegiate championship Of
America at Poughkeepsie Wednesday. For
the first time in the history Of these regat-
tas every crew, with the possible exception
of Georgetown, has an even chance to be re-
turned the winner. In the past Cornell.
Pennsylvania or Syracuse has been a pro-
nounced favorite. But not so this year
Wisconsin, Annapolis and Columbia are all
conceded to have equally good chances with
the three first named, and there are many
persons who think that the Annapolis eight.
competing this year for the first time will
celebrate the occasion with a great victory.
The work of the various crews during
the last week has rather strengthened the
theory that the midshipme have the best
chance to win. The work of the navy men
has demonstrated conclusively that they
can row the full distance Of four miles
without distressing themselves. The fact
that the navy eight has confined its races
in the past to two miles was taken to mean
that the mdshipmen would be unable to
stand the pace for the full four-mile stretch.
But their work at Poughkeepsie has dis
proven this very effectively. Another rea-
son for making them a slight favorte Is the
undoubted weakness of the Cornell. Penn
sylvania and Syracuse crews. which finished
one two, three last year Not one Of these
elghtS IS IN the class with the 1.O0 crews,
which gives splendid opportunity for some
outsider to step in and carry Off the prize.
Coach Courtney realizes the weakness Of
his eight and he has been making many
shifts to strengthen his first combination.
The Pennsylvania eight is thought to be
weak because of Its poor showing In the
American regatta, when II was beaten out
by two club crews. The Quakers have not
done much better since their arrival at
Poughkeepsie. though they may spring a
surprise when the time comes. Wisconsin
Is known to be strong. as her victory over
Syracuse proves. but this result may be re-
versed next Wednesday. Columbia remains
a dark horse. The New Workers are GER
tainly much stronger than they have been
for years and may turn the trick when
least expected.
Cornell's Fine Record. :.
Poughkeepse in years past not one has
made the showing Cornell has During the
nine years since 1928. in which year these
nell has won five times. Pennsylvania
three times and Syracuse once.-The Penn
sylvanians triumphed in 1898. 1899 and 1900.
They went to the English Henley in 1901,
ana Cornell took first place. Syracuse won
her only victory in 1904, the Ithacans win
ming in 1901. 1902, 1903, 1905 and 1906. Wis
consin although never having won a first
place. has made enviable record. Three
times Wisconsin has been second. three
times third, once fourth and twice sixth
In order to show how the different
colleges compare in growing strength
the following tables have been compiled.
Counting first place as points. second
as and third as /, the standing CT. the
six colleges would be: