The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-02
.LEH|GH SAYS NAVY
TALE IS INCORRECT
Athletic Association Member
Explains Why Wrestlers
Won't Meet.

BETHLEHEM, Pa, Jan. 2.-The re-
port that Lehigh University, together
with the other members of the Inter-
collegiate Wrestling Association, in
tentionally turned a cold shoulder to
the Navy glapplers In excluding them
from the schedule for the coming sea-
son, is by no means favorably re-
ceived here and little credence given
in so far as Lehigh is concerned.
This became apparent when circum-
stances tending to the cancellation
OF this meet were revealed by a men,
Der OF the athletic association.
Athletic relations with the Navy
have always been cherished and hopes
are entertained that they Will be con-
tinued on the same basis as In tho
future in all branches OF sport is tho
phrase applied in expressing the SEN
timent OF every member OF the com
mittee.
However, conditions relative to the
development OF the squad, the early
date OF the meet, and the scholastic
conditions encountered during this
period are said TO be the pertinent
factors in not meeting the midship-
men on the mat this year.
In years past the matter OF compul-
sorry training at the Navy never en-
tered into discussions relative to this
meet. and If Lehigh felt that the
squad was sufficiently developed for
an early date to make a representa-
tive showing the Navy would have
been welcomed on the schedule.
1t IL pointed out that Lehigh sell
dom has squad to equal that in
Of re
for wrestling at the other institu-
lions comprising the Intercollegiate
Wrestling Association, and as q re-
| suit the development of the team Is
not as speedy. Together with these
conditions the preliminary training
does not begin until late, and real
work never started until the close Of
| the Christmas vacation.
At this time it is noted that sew
| eral opponents appearing on the
Brown and White schedule have al
| ready inaugurated their season. U.s.
ually the Navy meet appeared among
| the first OF the season and, with one
| or two exceptions, at time when
the squad journeyed to Annapolis not
sufficiently conditioned to appear at
the best advantage. The meet usual
| ly came Immediately after the mid
| year ordinations and the candidates
were unable to report regularly for
practice.
These were matters that were care
fully considered, and while the men,
! bers of the athletic committee were
| loath to drop the Navy, it was not
deemed advisable to meet the Mid
! dies in an early season date, but it is
| believed that a later date was sug-
gested, but was not satisfactory to
the Navy.
To have journeyed to Annapolis at
an early date this year would have
played havoc with the grapplers for
| the dual meets prior to the inter-
collegiate championships The wres-
thing squad numbers as many men
as in previous seasons, but there is
very little season material.
| In fact, most of the men under the
| wing of Coach Sheridan are having
their first year at wrestling, while
the others. with one exception. were
not included on the varsity last sea-
son. The only veteran available is
Capt. John Bertolet. the 145-pound
| representative. Bob Good, intercol-
legiate champion in the 115-pound
class, is still in college, but repre-
scented Lehigh in the Intercollegiate
three years and is, therefore, not
eligible to compete this season.
Since wrestling relations were re-
| sumed with the Navy these two In
situations, it is believed, have met
seven times. Lehigh has returned
the winner but once.