SJSU Wrestling Archives The Spartan Daily 11-19-74                  Matmen "Not Rebuilding"            "I don't believe in rebuilding years, that is just an excuse for losing," says Terry Kerr, SJSU wrestling coach, explaining why he doesn't expect his team to have a losing season despite the fact they are very young. The Spartans, California's No. 1 team last year, will enter this season with a 14-game winning streak in dual meets. SJSU starts its season Saturday with visiting Chico State. The Spartans have lost several key wrestlers, including all their heavyweights. Among those was Donnell Jackson, the No. 1 heavyweight in California. They also lost All-American Dan Kida who wrestled at 142 pounds. Nevertheless, Kerr is optimistic. "We are very strong in the lightweights and strong through our middleweights. Our biggest weakness is at the heavy positions (177 and 190 and unlimited)," said the third year coach. Kerr feels that his team will win the PCAA title and will do well in the nationals again. They placed 23rd in the nation last year. "We had an excellent recruiting year," Kerr said. "We have some people who are good but need experience. They are going to get tougher with each match. I fully expect to win the PCAA title." Kerr feels a losing year could have drastic effects for the SJSU wrestling program. "We can't have a losing year because that would be disastrous for our program. We have just built it to where we want it. We are winning and if we are to continue winning, we have to win every year. Winning programs bring in the good recruits," he explained. "Of course, that is my own philosophy. Buy i don't believe in losing," he continued. The 25-year-old mentor believes his team is coming along nicely. "We are beginning to use some moves. Our conditioning seems to be coming along well," he said. Some wrestlers that the Spartans will depend on for the upcoming season are seniors Mitch Steinhauer (118), Dean Prescott (177), Jim Niskanen (167), and Steve Dick (134). They all believe SJSU will be stronger this year than last year. "We have more depth and balance," said Niskanen, who is called "Nisky" by his teammates. "We don't have the stars like last year, but we have some outstanding recruits and a winning attitude that has carried over from last year." Dick feels that too much is being made of the graduation of Kida and Jackson. "Two people don't make a team," he stated. "We have four or five key people coming back, plus good transfers and high school people." Prescott, who is called "Stoney", thinks SJSU is stronger. "We lost a lot of guys, but we had good people backing them up. There is some inexperience in the upper weights, but there is some talent there, like Mario Rodriguez, who can wrestle either 177 or 190," he said. The 1974 SJSU wrestling team certainly believes in itself. It has a winning attitude and like coach Kerr, sees no reason why they should lose. And confidence is a tough thing to beat. SJSU opens its home season Dec. 8, hosting Humboldt State at Spartan Gym.