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Rivalry Renewed; Wrestlers Healthy
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by Wayne Mize
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| The Spartan wrestlers, healthy for the first time this year, will meet rival Fresno State tonight in Salinas at
Aisal High School gym. |
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| SJSU, which has a 13-8 record, is holding the match at the neutral site as an experiment to raise money for the
wrestling program. |
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| The Salinas area was chosen for two reasons according to SJSU coach T.J. Kerr. |
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| It is free of "major sports" involvement and is traditionally a good area to draw wrestling crowds. |
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| Spartan Rudy Guevara, PCAA champion at 118 pounds, will be returning to his home grounds and is expected to draw
crowd support. |
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| Guevara attended Gonzales High school near Salinas and placed third in the state in 1973 at 112 pounds. |
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| In the past, the verbal takedowns between coach T.J. Kerr and Fresno coach Dick Francis have turned this dual meet
into a premier amateur attraction. |
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| The rivalry was ignited in 1973 by a controversial loss at Fresno as a result of poor officiating according to
Kerr. |
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| The Spartans were able to revenge that loss the following year and last year's match ended in a 16-16 tie. |
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| Fresno coach Francis, a wrestling standout at SJS from 1954 through '56 has criticized Kerr, stating Kerr plays
on his team's emotions too much instead of letting a wrestler prepare himself without hating someone. |
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| Kerr explained that the difference in teams is only a difference in coaching styles and that he has nothing but
respect for Francis. |
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| However, Kerr did reiterate that "I would hate to lose to Fresno." |
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| "The advantage is ours, especially with the supporters (due to Guevara). Fresno is always tough and it should
be a good match," Kerr added. |
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| Greg Hill, PCAA champion at 134 pounds, is expected to be back in action tonight. Hill has been suffering from
a rib injury. |
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