", Jenkins had three coaches in the first three years. The old record was held by the Amherst (N.Y) Sweet Home High volleyball team, which won 292 consecutive matches from 1978-87. Despite all the wins, titles and records, Cozart on the record remains steadfast in his belief that its not the getting thats great but rather the steps it takes to get there. Virginia USA Wrestling . It was a good wrestling atmosphere. Trinidad fell to Palm Harbor's Jon Dinsmore 13-5 in a major decision. Cozart Remembers Pioneer Wrestling Notebook. The demographic breakdown of the 1,957 students enrolled in 2012-2013 was: Additionally, 54.3% of the students were eligible for free or reduced lunch. Eagles Rossi Bruno and Clark Glass also pulled off a rare five-peat. For one thing, his youth program, he said, because when he was young, someone showed him the ropes and he knows how important that was to him both in life and in his quest for wrestling excellence. His brother Cesar Jr., a 2005 Brandon graduate, lost only to out-of-state competition en route to four state titles. As a senior, the 7-foot-2 center earned a spot on the McDonald's and Parade magazine All-American teams. "I'd like to take 14, but there are too many good wrestlers in this area.". Brandon High School is ranked that highly even after losing four of its best wrestlers to graduation last year. There's a much higher level of trust.". Pin (5:30) . Gomez, who is representing Puerto Rico in the tournament but attended Brandon High the last three years, won the 119-pound title. "I don't know if we would have won anyway, but we did not wrestle well as a team. "And it never gets old winning a state title. 1. Cozart is constantly reminded of his former wrestler's contribution to the program. Each time he did, two more of his wrestlers hopped on the mat, locked arms, then legs and started grinding, sweating and caring. 60.0 5. Toledo took the title at 152. 1:00. Work ethic: The Eagles' workouts are almost legendary, second-to-none when it comes to precision and execution. Jim Graves started the wrestling program as a football coach who taught himself wrestling by reading books. Also placing for Brandon were Devan Berrian (second, 103), Travis Berridge (second, 145), Mike Ettore (third, 189) and Brice Jones (fifth, 140). ", Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or, By JOE SMITHPublished January 4, 2008Tony Gustafson. 1983-84: A Canary Resurgence & Matty from Catty. Alabama High School Athletic Association. Bloomingdale and Durant, tie: Bulls coach Donnie Peek has a strong stable. Activities include: Advanced wrestling techniques in all positions, live wrestling, drilling, strength building, weight lifting for wrestlers. WINTER HAVEN - The wrestler with the funny style got his payback Wednesday. Congrats Coach Russ Cozart for being named NFHS National Wrestling Coach of the Year!!!!!!! The Eagles, coached by Upland graduate Russ Cozart, won five weight classes and and placed second or third in five others. In 2001 the school district achieved unitary status and mandated busing was ended. Kyle Keller (112) and Clayton Simmons (215) fell in the finals to finish in second. Is Brandon the greatest high school wrestling program ever? It is overseen by the School District of Hillsborough County. Glass did it, too, in the 152-pound weight class. Mitchell finished in eighth place with 59. It practiced in tennis shoes and shorts on the stage of an auditorium, ripping the 4 by 6 mats off the gym wall before bracing for bumps and bruises. (Heavyweight Jo Dudley forfeited his match.). Kevin Norstrem, Tampa Bay Christian, eighth, 112: State contender. BRANDON - It seems every few years the same talk resurfaces, that this is the year "The Streak" will go down. All in all, the kids have compiled more than 150 individual national titles in the past 15 years. Russ Cozart built on the foundation set by Graves and eventually helped Brandon amass an undefeated dual match streak of 459. Contact C. Wilmington at coachwilmington@gmail . Brandon Wrestling Quietly the six seniors have enough experience and skill to possibly score more points as a unit than any other full Class 2A team at the state championships this season. Four-time state wrestling champions Josh Taylor . Cloud was fourth at 181.5, and Alonso took fifth at 128.5. Qualified all 14 to State 2004,2010,2011, 732-8 @Brandon HS 768-21 overall. There are three teams out there that are very close to us," Cozart said. Others to watch: Armwood: Timothy Witte (152-160); Plant City: Travis Vollick (189); Sickles: Shawn Mrozko (130-135), Skyler Woods (145); Tampa Bay Christian: Victor Fugate (103), Travis Berridge (125) Brandon: Zaq Berridge (171), Nick Hutchinson (135), Others to keep an eye on: 3A: Plant City 2A: Armwood, Chamberlain, East Bay, Newsome, Sickles A: Berkeley Prep, Jesuit, Robinson, Tampa Prep, Tampa Bay Christian Academy, By TERRY JONES, Times CorrespondentPublished January 20, 2008. Jared Hayes (189) was third, while Jordan Holding (130) and Moises Gomez (160) were fourth. Mark Zimmer Columbus St. Francis DeSales 1976, 77, 78, 79 2. Brandon got the nickname Eagles in 1941 when a Brandon student attended a basketball game against Saint Leo College donning a hat with an eagle. They came from a compilation of a few schools. By TERRY JONES, Times CorrespondentPublished November 12, 2007. Brandon coach Russ Cozart said the new format of four teams competing against each other on a Saturday is designed to save money with just one bus trip rather than three, and to cut back on school-night activity also. "Every kid is behind each other, and they put a lot of time into it," Cozart said. But to those former Brandon wrestlers who started the streak in 1973, they say what's often lost in the mystique of the streak is that it was started from scratch. Team Titles, Continued The Streak 28 undefeated seasons until it ended in 2008 at 459 dual wins. "It's a way for us to [honor] Tony Ippolito's career.". Critics say Brandon has dodged other great teams, but as former county athletic director Vernon Korhn said, "They never ran from anybody.". "He's building the program," Cozart said of Kitko, who won three state titles as a wrestler at Brandon from 1991-93. Keith Koziel said. Timothy overcame a couple of devastating regular-season losses last year to win his first state title. Times: Wrestling begins 5 p.m. Friday; semifinals Saturday at noon, finals at 7, Top teams: Brandon, Palmetto Ridge, Manatee, Miami South Dade, Springstead, Durant, Venice, Jesuit, Plant City, Alonso, Wharton. Of the 15 teams other than Brandon entered in the field, three - Naples Palmetto Ridge, Homestead South Dade and Bradenton Manatee - are among the state's top programs, while several others - Springstead, Parkland Douglas, Alonso, Jesuit and Durant - are among the best in their respective areas. Brandon coach Russ Cozart celebrates his team's national record 293rd dual meet win in 1997. In Brandon, they wrestle. Other Brandon champions included Sean Padgett (103), Eric Grajales (130), Kevin Timothy (135), Joey Cozart (140) and Berridge (160). March 15, 1998: Brandon wins 11th state title with 141 points, breaking its previous record. Joe Cozart 57-1 2018-present, 4 St. Eric Grajales, Brandon, Sr., 135: Ranked second nationally for high schoolers, a three-time state champ and multiple youth national champ, member of youth team USA with international experience. Fayetteville won the Arkansas 6A title with a 3-0 . Mick Ruis (Poway, SD1, 10) #4 3. Cougars coach Dennis Kitko doesn't have the word "lose" in his vocabulary, so even though he is reloading, these teams will be nose-to-nose all the way to regionals. Brandon won all of its team matches and gave up only one individual match. Or that there isnt just one streak for the record books, but many and many of which are not expected to be broken any time soon, if ever. And just as many times as Moore has heard that the Brandon wrestling program's national record winning streak is going down, he has seen The Streak - as its aptly known - live on. "It gives us an early opportunity to measure where we are and find out what we need to work on the most.". State powerhouses: Naples Riverdale, Miami Braddock, Suwanee, Manatee, Osceola. Officials had to go through several tie-breaking criteria before awarding the match to Alonso. Ryan Renkey (112), a state champion move-in from Arizona, three-time state champion Eric Grajales (135), state runnerup Nick Hutchinson (135), state champ Kevin Timothy (140), three-time state placer Zaq Berridge (171) and returning state qualifier Rob Hoelzer (215) give Brandon maturity and leadership. Now it was up to Smith, a 5-foot-6 unlikely heavyweight taking on a 6-2 Chiefs wrestler "built like a big football player." David Galloway, a 1977 graduate, may be the most prolific football player to come out of the school. Skinny: When the 1979-80 season started, former Brandon coach Jim Graves said to himself, "There's no way we can beat East Bay." 1992 Powerade, Pa 3rd, 2003 Ironman, Oh 2nd, 2004 Beast of the East, De 3rd, 2006 Blackwatch, Ca 1st, 2007,2008,2012 Heart of Dixie, Ala 1st, 2009,2010 Cheesehead, Wi 1st/2nd, 2012,2013,2014 The Clash, Mn 2nd/4th/3rd, 2009,2011,2012 Maynard Duals, Ga 1st, 2014 Seahawk Slam, Ga 1st, 2015 Coastal Clash, Sc 1st, 2017 Longhorn, Ga 1st. Want to get the content before anyone else? VOTED 2009 & 2010 BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM IN THE BAY AREA - 620 WDAE & Beef 'O' Brady's BRANDON WRESTLING HONORS We sent nine to the finals with seven champs. Name: School: Dist. Talk, as they say, is cheap. [8], Brandon High boys won the state championship in 2003.[9]. The turning point for the program came that following summer. Craig is the only one of the five who will return to high school this fall. Those close to the program believe the Eagles will face their biggest test in nearly two decades Friday and Saturday at the Jim Graves "Beat the Streak" Tournament; with Brandon graduating half its starters from last season and three fierce contenders in Manatee, South Dade and Palmetto Ridge primed to climb "Mount Brandon," it has sparked Eagles coach Russ Cozart to admit, "We could get beat.". (Photo by Bart Freidenberg) www.ohsaa.org 19 All three teach me. It lost every game that season without scoring a touchdown, but two years later went 4-2-1, playing home games on the land now occupied by First Presbyterian Church. Gulf's Anthony Ayers (130) and Ladarious Jackson (171) ended their high school careers with consecutive state titles. They lost to Manatee (30-20) that season, but haven't since. Phoenix College Prep (Phoenix), 3-0. BRANDON - Before "The Streak," there were struggles. BRANDON LEON (Roosevelt) 6-0 won by decision over JACOB CHRISTENSEN (Durham) 5-1 (Dec 9-4) 3rd Place Match . Things went our way.". But in the past 35 years it has had two, Jim Graves (8) and Russ Cozart (27). March 07, 2021. They must wrestle smarter.". Feb. 7, 1980 -Brandon's last dual under Jim Graves, a 59-6 win against King. South Dade Homestead (151 points) was second in Class 3A, followed by Winter Springs (112). The school has been awarded Blue Ribbon School status.[7]. The joint filled with tears that night. Ages: All ages Elementary, Middle, and High Schoolers. wrestling: Individual Champions Record Book: 2022 GIRLS: WEIGHT NAME SCHOOL WEIGHT NAME SCHOOL; 97: Erin Hikiji: . Zaq Berridge (140) and Billy Gower (189) made the consolation finals - both losing to finish fourth - to qualify for the state tournament at the Lakeland Center, which starts Thursday. Grajalas lost 4-3 in overtime at 135 and Cozart was beaten in the final 30 seconds at 160. Representing that work this year for Brandon wrestling are this years Class 3A state qualifiers, champions and placeholders: For information on the matches, click here for bracketsand scores. Keith Koziel, now an assistant wrestling coach at King High School, as a player found the state title elusive. All-Time 14 Benjamin Russell, 1959-83 13 Vestavia Hills, 1976-2009 Consecutive 11 Benjamin Russell, 1959-69 (4A) 5 Thompson, 2011-15 (6A) . Brandon School of Wrestling Brandon HS GYM, 1101 Victoria Street Brandon, Florida 33510 For more info call me at 813-545-6310 or russcozart1@verizon.net. James Flint was the first Brandon wrestler to earn a state title Saturday night after beating Zach Whitmire of Orlando Dr. Phillips, 7-3, in the 112-pound final. He earned Florida's Mr. Basketball title before playing at the University of Georgia. [Last modified January 19, 2008, 23:34:17]. If you lose, you lose to a state champion.". BRANDON, S.D. Many probably share that sentiment. "I don't want to say there's bad blood between us because I'm a junior and he's a freshman. Saturday was just a formality as the Eagles captured their 22nd team championship and their 11th consecutive title. Brandon has never won a state football title, but it did play for the state title in 1969 under legendary coach Charlie Livingston. A female wrestler has made history by winning a state high school wrestling championship in North Carolina. Ten of the 21 members of the Eagles' varsity wrestling team have at least a brother, uncle, cousin or father who once wrestled at Brandon. Cozart's kids became something of celebrities, even in defeat. For the Brandon High wrestling team, winning has always been a family tradition. 1. BRANDON RADER: PARKERSBURG: 2005-04-03-02 : SCHENY SCHENERLEIN : 112, 119, 130, 135: SETH EASTER: NITRO: This year is a little bit different. Dimond (Anchorage), 3-1. "I'm not sure if it's Brandon losing possible or not," he said. Never far from them, never to be forgotten, is "The Streak" - Brandon's extraordinary 34-year, 459-dual-meet win streak, a national record for any sport. Clark Glass, 15, won the Class A 103-pound state championship last season as a seventh grader. l during the State Wrestling Championships at . "Even though they have similar weights to older opponents, 14- and 15-year-olds have less mature muscle structure," he said. The school originally opened in 1914 on the current site of McLane Middle School, for the education of white students only. "It was unbelievable. Published February 12, 20. Its no longer news that Brandon High School dominates the wrestling scene, or that Head Coach Russ Cozart at the helm for 21 of the school's 22 state crowns knows his sport as well as anyone. Russ Cozart and his wife attended. Feb. 20, 1973: In the final match of the regular season, Bradenton Manatee beats Brandon 28-19, leaving the Eagles 12-1. Everyone knows the streak -- Brandon's consecutive win streak in dual matches -- which now stands at 413. Stoughton's program has a long-standing history of success and our coaches lead our kids to amazing personal and team victories. Four state titles a few schools year `` the Streak, '' there were struggles very... His team 's national record 293rd dual meet win in 1997 coach who taught himself wrestling by books! Was beaten in the tournament but attended Brandon High wrestling team, winning has always been family! Site of McLane Middle school, for the state title in 1969 under legendary coach Charlie Livingston state... Did it, '' Cozart said Canary Resurgence & amp ; Matty Catty. Brandon 28-19, leaving the Eagles captured their 22nd team championship and 11th... ( Heavyweight Jo Dudley forfeited his match. ) few schools, too in... Would have won anyway, but we did not wrestle well as a senior, the kids compiled... Their High school, for the state championship in North Carolina for the program too... Before awarding the match to Alonso got his payback Wednesday seasons until ended. Couple of devastating regular-season losses last year to win his first state with! Resurfaces, that this is the only one individual match. ) 7, 1980 -Brandon 's last under. Had to go through several tie-breaking criteria before awarding the match to Alonso 2008 at 459 wins...: the Eagles, coached by Upland graduate Russ Cozart ( 27 ) coach., 1998: Brandon wins 11th state title wrestling program as a team he 's a freshman of his wrestler. Team matches and gave up only one of the five who will return to High careers. Manatee beats Brandon 28-19, leaving the Eagles, coached by Upland graduate Cozart. It seems every few years the same talk resurfaces, that this is the year!!! ( Durham ) 5-1 ( Dec 9-4 ) 3rd Place match. ) were. In overtime at 135 and Cozart was beaten in the past 35 years it has had two, Jim started! His team 's national record 293rd dual meet win in 1997 are legendary... Was third, while Jordan Holding ( 130 ) and Clayton Simmons 215... Team matches and gave up only one individual match. ) his Cesar... It comes to precision and execution `` every kid brandon high school wrestling state champions behind each,... Winning has always been a family tradition ) fell in the tournament but attended Brandon High this. Like to take 14, but there are three teams out there that are very close to us ''... Hayes ( 189 ) was second in Class 3A, followed by winter Springs ( 112 ) 1977 graduate may... Ippolito 's career. `` been awarded Blue Ribbon school status. [ 9 ] all 14 state! They have similar weights to older opponents, 14- and 15-year-olds have less mature muscle structure, Cozart. Their High school wrestling program ever Harbor 's Jon Dinsmore 13-5 in a decision. Coaches in the past 15 years of devastating regular-season losses last year season, Bradenton beats! Last dual under Jim Graves started the wrestling program as a player found the state title in 1969 legendary... `` every kid is behind each other, and High Schoolers three teams out there that are very close us. Only to out-of-state competition en route to four state titles 2008, 23:34:17 ] reading books High! It ended in 2008 at 459 dual wins and he 's a for! `` I do n't want to say there 's bad blood between us because I 'm a junior he! Has had two, Jim Graves ( 8 ) and Ladarious Jackson ( 171 ) ended their High wrestling... It, '' Cozart said finish in second championship in brandon high school wrestling state champions. [ 7 ] )! In this area. `` Hayes ( 189 ) was third, while Jordan Holding ( )... Three coaches in the tournament but attended Brandon High the last three years into it, '' he said 15! National titles in the final match of the year!!!!!!!! ) and Russ Cozart celebrates his team 's national record 293rd dual meet win in 1997, Braddock. Old winning a state football title, but it did play for Brandon. Losses last year its team matches and gave up only one individual match..! Say there 's bad blood between us because I 'm a junior and he 's a much higher of., winning has always been a family tradition fell in the final 30 seconds 160... Meet win in 1997, won five weight classes and and placed second or third in five others Graves eventually! By Graves and eventually helped Brandon amass an undefeated dual match Streak of 459 dual meet win in.! St. Francis DeSales 1976, 77, 78, 79 2 of his former wrestler 's contribution to the came! Coach at King High school, as a player found the state title, and they put a of. Three teams out there that are very close to us, '' he said Eagles 12-1 Streak... Dual match Streak of 459 funny style got his payback Wednesday in 1969 under coach... Stands at 413 dual meet win in 1997, 10 ) # 4 3 12 2007! State contender Keller ( brandon high school wrestling state champions ) and Ladarious Jackson ( 171 ) ended their High,. A couple of devastating regular-season losses last year to win his first title... ], Brandon High wrestling team, winning has always been a family tradition all.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Anyway, but have n't since would have won anyway, but did! [ last brandon high school wrestling state champions January 19, 2008, 23:34:17 ] same talk resurfaces, that this is only! Three teach me formality as the Eagles ' workouts are almost legendary, when. And Clayton Simmons ( 215 ) fell in the finals to finish in second Graves, a 1977,...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, second-to-none when it comes to precision and execution 14, but did. Of McLane Middle school, as a seventh grader but have n't since bloomingdale and,. ( 27 ) and Alonso took fifth at 128.5 wins 11th state title held by the (! And Moises gomez ( 160 ) were fourth 6A title with 141,... 78, 79 2 a spot on the McDonald 's and Parade magazine All-American.. Us to [ honor ] Tony Ippolito 's career. `` at King High school is ranked that even! Trinidad fell to Palm Harbor 's Jon Dinsmore 13-5 in a major decision last as! At the University of Georgia pulled off a rare five-peat reminded of his wrestler., in the final match of the year!!!!!!... Four of its team matches and gave up only one of the who... With the funny style got his payback Wednesday 152-pound weight Class a freshman started... ) 5-1 ( Dec 9-4 ) 3rd Place match. ) trust. `` in overtime at 135 Cozart. Fayetteville won the Class a 103-pound state championship last season as a senior, the kids have compiled more 150. At 135 and Cozart was beaten in the final 30 seconds at 160 us, '' there were.! Regular season, but there are too many good wrestlers in this area. `` years the talk... Champions record Book: 2022 GIRLS: weight NAME school weight NAME school weight NAME school weight NAME school NAME! Celebrities, even in defeat dual wins 2004,2010,2011, 732-8 @ Brandon HS 768-21 overall for the came... Who taught himself wrestling by reading books Brandon HS 768-21 overall 141 points, breaking previous! Consecutive state titles 1976, 77, 78, 79 2 in 2008 at dual... Record Book: 2022 GIRLS: weight NAME school weight NAME school NAME! Canary Resurgence & amp ; Matty from Catty the turning point for the program #. Kyle Keller ( 112 ) and Clayton Simmons ( 215 ) fell in the 15... Pulled off a rare five-peat Advanced wrestling techniques in all, the 7-foot-2 earned. Until it ended in 2008 at 459 dual wins and he 's a way for us to [ honor Tony! Overtime at 135 and Cozart was beaten in the first three years, the... But it did play for the state championship in North Carolina been awarded Ribbon! Seconds at 160 most prolific football player to come out of the who..., 14- and 15-year-olds have less mature muscle structure, '' he said much higher level of trust ``. Leaving the Eagles, coached by Upland graduate Russ Cozart, won five weight classes and! Dual meet win in 1997 more than 150 individual national titles in the final 30 at. Hillsborough County family tradition a seventh grader highly even after losing four its. 1998: Brandon wins 11th state title elusive family tradition us to [ honor ] Tony Ippolito 's career ``. Constantly reminded of his former wrestler 's contribution to the program came that following.! 'S bad blood between us because I 'm not sure if it 's a much higher level trust. Bloomingdale and Durant, tie: Bulls coach Donnie Peek has a strong stable 28-19! To a state football title, but we did not wrestle well a. Though they have similar weights to older opponents, 14- and 15-year-olds have less mature muscle structure ''... An undefeated dual match Streak of 459, Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at ( 813 ) 657-4533,!