Heavyweight Donnel Jackson of the SJSU wrestling team garnered top honors in the Hayward Invitational last Saturday
for the second year in a row pinning all of his opponents.
The 6'2", 230-pound grappler is rated the state's number one heavyweight and has an impressive 18-1 record.
Other Spartan grapplers to finish in the meet were Oscar Trevino (134) with third won in overtime, Gary Pederson
(150) fourth, Mike Brady (158) fourth, and Dean Prescott (167) third which was also won in overtime.
"We could have placed more men in the tournament but the fly bug hit the team and several of our first stringers
are out," said head coach Terry Kerr.
He added that Jackson's improvement this season was because the heavyweight was listening to his technique program.
The red-headed grappler is undefeated in dual meet competition, all by falls, and his tournament record has two
championships and one second place.
In last week's action against UC Davis, he pinned his opponent at three minutes and 40 seconds in leading the Spartans
in a come-from-behind victory 19-18.
"Our team has improved in their fundamental work but to meet our deadline for post season meets, we will have
to work much harder," said Kerr.
The young coach is keeping to his word by having the squad go on double workouts starting next week. In the mornings,
the team will run for several hours along with regular practice sessions in the afternoons.
Kerr said the grapplers were getting in shape for their meet at Hayward State, Jan. 18 at 5:30 pm and the Chico
Invitational, Jan. 29 at 2:00 pm.
At the Chico meet, Jackson will get a return engagement with an opponent from Southern Oregon who gave him his
only loss.
"I'm sure that with all the work Jackson has done he will be able to overtake his opponent easily," said
Kerr.
Kerr is expecting his team to be in full strength for the meets with Tim Kerr and Steve Baca. However, the coach
doesn't expect the two wrestlers to be in shape for several weeks.
The Spartan grapplers are 2-2 in dual competition this season with wins over Cal State Bakersfield and Sacramento
State, and losses to UC Berkeley and Humboldt State. |
