| As wrestling matches go, they don't get any closer. |
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| SJSU's 21-20 victory over Bakersfield State Roadrunners last night before an enthusiastic Men's Gym crowd of about
450 was a study of ebb and flow. Every match was a turning point. Every takedown a shift in momentum. |
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| The Spartans, now 2-0 in 1982 dual meets, parlayed individual wins by seniors John Middlestead and Michael Hairston
and juniors Brad Gustafson and Andy Tsarnas into an impressive triumph over a rugged opponent. |
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| Coach T.J. Kerr said after the grueling contest that the closeness of the meet didn't surprise him at all. |
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| "It was just about what i expected," Kerr said. "It was nip and tuck all the way." |
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| Middlestead recorded the lone SJSU pin of the night in the 142-pound class by stopping Bakersfield Mike Russell
at 0:22 of the first period. The pin seemed to pump vitality into both the Spartan crown and team. |
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| "He sort of eased up and i caught him," Middlestead said. "This helped prove we are the best on
the west coast." |
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| Kerr said that Tsarnas' win over Mike Blaske in the 190-pound class was especially key in that the match was even
at 17 with only one weight division remaining. |
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| Tsarnas registered a reversal and a near fall with only moments remaining in the final period of his match to build
his point advantage to 11-3 and thereby take a major decision. A major decision is awarded when a wrestler defeats
his opponent by at least eight points. |
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| "I had plenty of butterflies," Tsarnas said. "I knew that Jerry (Morrison) could do it, but i had
to come through." |
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| In the heavyweight division Morrison more than held his own against Roger Herrera, falling 3-2 in a typically close
encounter Morrison actually led most of the way before relinquishing command late in the going. |
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| Hairston dominated his opponent Dennis Reed both physically and on points, winning 10-1 in the 167-pound division
for another major decision. |
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Gustafson stifled Brian Stevens 12-6 in the 126-pound class. The win reversed an early advantage taken by the Roadrunners
via Adam Cuestas' pin in the 118-pound division over Dave Ciprian to begin the meet.
Cuestas showed the powerful form which allowed him to post an awesome 46-3 record last year. |
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| Jay Slivkoff accounted for the Spartan's other decision by nipping Woody Smith 11-8 in the 150-pound class. |
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| Kerr's troops next take to the canvas against the Oregon Ducks one week from today in the Men's Gym. Starting time
schedule for 7:30 pm. |
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