Sports briefs

Crimson fall fighting in Tulsa

The Harvard men’s tennis team nearly knocked off reigning national champion Illinois in NCAA Sweet 16 action this past Saturday (May 22), before losing a decisive third set to fall in Tulsa, Okla., 4-3. With the score tied at 3-3, co-captain Cliff Nguyen ’04 came from behind against Michael Culkins at No. 4 singles to capture the second match, 7-6 (4), before falling in the third, 6-3, to send the winning point to the Fighting Illini.

The victory momentarily preserved Illinois’ perfect 31-0 record (the team owns a 64-0 record over the past two seasons: the longest streak in collegiate tennis history), until UCLA downed the Orange and Blue, 4-2, on Monday (May 24). Baylor went on to defeat UCLA on Tuesday (May 25) to capture the title.

The trip to Tulsa marked the final team competition for five Harvard seniors – Chris Chiou, David Lingman, Cliff Nguyen, Mark Riddell, and George Turner. Lingman and junior Jonathan Chu competed in NCAA individual singles competition on Wednesday (May 26). Check http://www.gocrimson.com for the latest results.

Black and White looks to protect title at rowing champs

Women’s heavyweight crew will defend its national title this Memorial Day weekend at the 2004 NCAA Rowing Championships in Sacramento, Calif. Twelve competing teams will open the three-day regatta on Lake Natoma on Friday (May 28), before declaring a champ after a half day of racing on Sunday (May 29).

This season marks the Black and White’s seventh straight appearance in the tourney. In both 1998 (the event’s inaugural year) and 1999, Radcliffe finished seventh in team standings, which are based on the combined finishes of a school’s varsity, second varsity, and varsity four crews. In its three subsequent appearances, Radcliffe placed 10th, 8th, and 11th, respectively, before the Black and White stunned the competition in 2003 to join Brown and Washington as the only teams to ever capture the event.

Enjoying its 12th straight winning season, Radcliffe most recently finished second (out of six) at Eastern Sprints earlier this month in Camden, N.J.

Visit http://www.gocrimson.com for 2004 Rowing Champs results.

– Compiled by Andrew Brooks