THE SPORT OF ROWING As they had in 1967, Harvard would be the crew that stood in the way of Penn’s international aspirations in the Olympic year of 1968. Both crews came into the Adams Cup in Annapolis undefeated. The New York Times: “Penn’s coach, Joe Burk, had thought that today’s contest might be an even race. The Red and Blue had an average weight of 196 pounds to Harvard’s 192, but the Crimson had the edge in experience, with six men in the shell back from last season, while Penn had only three returning oarsmen. “When the varsity shells moved to the stakeboats, a slight wind came out of the southeast, and the Severn turned choppy. “Penn opened with a high of 42 strokes to the minute, with the Crimson at 40 and Navy struggling. “As Harvard and Penn moved into the body of the race, the strokes went down. At the 1,000 meter mark, Penn was moving at 37 while Harvard was rowing at 35. Penn, with its quicker start, had about six or seven seats over the Crimson. “When the shells passed under the Route 50 Bridge, where hundreds of spectators had gathered to watch the regatta, Penn had dropped to 35 and fallen back even with Harvard. “The bridge, about 750 meters from the finish, marked the beginning of Penn’s bid for victory. In those final meters, it was Harvard’s experience and finesse against Penn’s power, and Harvard, rowing beautifully and smoothly at 34, took charge. “Penn’s oarsmen bent over their oars, struggling to overhaul Harvard, but their efforts were in vain as the gap between the shells kept widening. “The Crimson accepted Penn’s final burst of 36 with an equal stroke, and Harvard just steadily eased away to win with a fine display of rowing skill and unison. “Harvard covered the 2,000 meter course in 6 minutes 5.7 seconds. Penn was clocked in 6:13.4”4417 for a margin of 7.7 seconds versus 7.2 seconds at the Pan Am Trials the previous summer. Discouraging for Penn. The opposite for Harvard. The Harvard Crimson wrote Penn’s obituary. “The two-length Adams Cup victory should eliminate the possibility of Pennsylvania’s providing dangerous competition for Harvard at the Olympic Trials in July.”4418 Eastern Sprints The following week at the Eastern Sprints, Harvard made an adjustment and turned in what Coach Harry Parker “termed ‘our best race of the year by far.’ Harvard Crimson: “Paul Hoffman, the coxswain, concurred. ‘It was a wonderful row,’ he said. ‘We had a great race. “‘We jumped out a full seat on the first ‘We had to, after last stroke,’ he said. week.’ “Although Harvard had won the Adams Cup last Saturday, beating Penn by two lengths, it was jumped at the start by the Quakers, who took a half-length lead. “Penn rowed more skillfully today, but the Red and Blue could never come up even on Harvard, which rowed the body of the race at 36 strokes to the minute. Penn was at the same stroke or one higher. “Harvard’s Varsity Crew, whose Olympic ambitions grow stronger each week, rowed the second fastest 2,000 meters even recorded on Lake Quinsigamond, 5 minutes 54.5 seconds. The only eight that ever rowed faster here was Navy in the Olympic Trials of 1952.4419 4417 Deane McGowen, Harvard Outrows Penn, Navy in Adams Cup Race on Severn, The New York Times, May 5, 1968 4418 Harvard Crimson, May 6, 1968 4419 See Chapter 64. 1216
