It stands at 31 victories and 40 matches without a loss. That prompted Saint Leo students to start calling the Brandon students Eagles. Russ Cozart 762-8 1980-2018, 119 St. ""My opponent was very good, and I wanted to show everybody I could beat a quality opponent. - Jason Buxton, Spearfish, three time champion, 123-1 record during his championship seasons. Hoelzer (215) is a seasonal wrestler, but is needed in the upper weights and should qualify for state a second time. It bore down on them. In Class 2A, Spring Hill Springstead (185.5) won the team title, while Lakeland Lake Gibson (164) was second and Fort Myers Riverdale (106) was third. Unfortunately for the other 52 teams which showed up for the tournament, that didn't happen very often. Subscribe to our free Breaking Sports News newsletter. Tyler Liberatore, Brandon, Fr., 125: Defending state champ. H.S. Maybe someday, Durant coach Dennis Kitko will receive the congratulatory handshake he has dreamed of from his mentor, Brandon coach Russ Cozart. CIF State Wrestling Championships Results 2003 California State High School Wrestling Results Published 20 years ago on March 2, 2003 By CalGrappler 103 1. "We had some humble, humble beginnings.". If we would have wrestled the way we should have, it would have been.". "The tournament this year had excellent competition with some top individuals. They all meet in the Graves Challenge on Jan. 4-5 in the Eagles Nest. COLUMBUS Led by four weight-class champions, Floyd Central finished second in Saturday's Hoosier Hills Conference Championships at Columbus East. The five-time defending state champion Eagles qualified 12 for the state tournament and crowned eight region champions Saturday at Lake Gibson High. Bloomingdale junior Chris Figari won a 2-1 decision over Brandon's Wally Figaro at 145, and Middleton senior Ricardo Albaladejo scored a pin over Alonso's Jack Nueman to complete the list of individual champions. Herman Hernandez, Riverview, Sr., 140: Returning state qualifier and potential state champ. "I've been coaching against Cozart for about 10 years, and no matter what - the talk that they're weak and this is their down year - they always seem to pull it off," Moore said. "We are working hard to achieve together. Staff Report. Michael Alexander of Uintah High takes down Aaron Garcia of Payson in the 113-pound weight class during the 5A wrestling state championship at UVU in Orem on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. . "Finally (realizing) the dream of being on the Brandon team as a varsity starter is awesome.". Keller also stands crooked with his left knee out when facing an opponent, a weakness Jorge exploited in their first match. "It's probably like a lot of sports," Coach Russ Cozart said. GUIDELINES for classes: parents allowed in gym(drop off or wait outside), no temp check, no masks during class. FOUR-TIME STATE CHAMPIONS; NAME SCHOOL YEARS COACH(ES) WEIGHT CLASSES; MATT ASHLEY: SPENCER: 1976-77-78-79 : . Ages: All ages Elementary, Middle, and High Schoolers. That former players dream about having their kids wrestle for Cozart. He won the 142-pound NCAA title for . The Brandon High School wrestling team comes home from Lakeland tonight, Feb. 19, with its 11th consecutive state title and 22nd state crown overall. Brandon, which hasn't lost a dual meet in 32 years, earned a victory on its California vacation by placing 12 of their 13 wrestlers in the top six. "There were maybe 50 fans in the stands," Holsonback said. Flint won a title last season as an eighth-grader for Tampa Bay Christian, but this one, he said, was sweeter. The South Dade (Homestead) and Winter Springs teams scored 151 and 112 points, respectively. Nov. 30-Dec. 1, Cougar Invitational at Durant: Good early measuring stick. Brandon High School is ranked that highly even after losing four of its best wrestlers to graduation last year. Records. But Cozart said it's not the families that have made Brandon what it is; it's the program that has produced the family ties. The Eagles were losing at the time, but Gustafson scored a five-team point superior decision, sending Brandon into the final few matches down 22-21. He always seems to have his team ready.". Showing 1 to 25 out of 142 upcoming tournaments. BRANDON, S.D. Jan. 18-19, Ippolito Memorial at Brandon: A final big-bracket tournament before districts. Oakleaf 91.5;. 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. 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. All Access Brandon High School Wrestling Practice with Russ Cozart Best Seller! Brock Herman, Brecksville 144 pounds, senior Herman has a title this season at the Brecksville Holiday Tournament and placed third at the Ironman. All three teach me. I didn't have a clue.". The difference between Wednesday's Keller-Jorge match and the first was all in the stance. Coventry High owns Rhode Island's premiere high school wrestling dynasty, including a staggering 17 consecutive state championships from 1982 to 1998. 1:00. ", Jenkins had three coaches in the first three years. Nick Hutchinson scored the quickest pin in the finals in 22 seconds. Brandon's Trey Lane has committed to the University of Virginia. Building a wrestler, especially one who has had a successful relative at Brandon, comes with high expectations. They're very similar to last year's team. We will be much improved by states.". . For the first couple years, the team had no mats, no singlets. 1 wrestler in the country. He earned Florida's Mr. Basketball title before playing at the University of Georgia. BRANDON For several seasons, Brandon has been recognized as a young team loaded with freshmen and sophomore talent. James Gray, Armwood, Sr., 112-119: Fifth in state last year, should place higher this year. The Eagles went 34 years without losing a dual match and ESPN chronicled the feat in a 2008 documentary entitled The Streak. It ended early in January in this same Brandon gym against the wrestlers from South Dade. He retires with a record of 97-11-1, including 75 consecutive dual meet victories. "All three coaches readily accepted the opportunity to try out the new format," Cozart said. A young Enterprise boys wrestling team gave more experienced Smiths Station a battle on Tuesday night before falling short to the . Joe Cozart 57-1 2018-present, 4 St. Schedule: For years, the Eagles have feasted on in-county competition. Brandons Kevin Norstrem, who won a state title with Tampa Bay Christian in eighth grade, won his fifth state title in 2013. Brandon fielded its first football team in 1944. [Last modified January 19, 2008, 23:34:17]. Cozart is constantly reminded of his former wrestler's contribution to the program. I lost to him. There are three teams out there that are very close to us," Cozart said. "I was nervous going in because he's a tough wrestler," Garcia said. Tough teams and several individual state champions. "I just can't move Kyle," Alonso said. What better identity to establish than as the protectors of The Streak? I like our chances of making our presence known in tournaments this season.". nutrition for wrestlers, rope climbing, strategy building in wrestling and character building. "I don't think it's so unusual that their families are a part of it," said Cozart, who runs a program for younger wrestlers. Brandon holds the national record for the longest winning streak ever by a high school team with 459 consecutive wins, which spanned over three decades. For Annapolis, Nik Antonelli (152) went 6-1 with four pins and two technical falls, and teammate Grayden Stramanak (220), 4-1 . Team Title, Started the Streak Undefeated last 7 seasons. Jeff Gluck, Staff Writer Holsonback said to save money, the team reused the same roll of athletic tape all season. Florida commission urges sweeping mental health reforms, Madeira Beach advances development increases for Johns Pass Village, If the rent is too high, we need to build more housing | Column, We should honor Al Langs contribution to St. Petersburg and major league baseball | Column, Golden Globes red carpet underway, after year off the air, Lightning rebound at home with win over Blue Jackets. He said the match with Chamberlain looked "hopeless on paper." That win helped continue another impressive streak, 17-straight championships, a Florida. Brandon Wrestling Club 94 National Champs 204 All-Americans-ages 5-19, 1980-present, NFHS Hall of Fame, California Wrestling Hall of Fame, FLORIDA Wrestling Hall of Fame, Brandon HS Hall of Fame, Upland HS Hall of Fame, Florida Sports Hall of Fame, Tampa Sports Club Hall of Fame, NHSCA Hall of Fame, 7X WWA Veterans World Champion, Upland HS, Calif 1971 2nd CIF SS, University of Alabama 19764x SEC placer 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 4th, Former Brandon Wrestlers have qualified for 13 consecutive (2006-18)NCAA D1 Championships. Rossi Bruno, Brandon, Fr., 119: Defending state champ. Feb. 20, 1973: In the final match of the regular season, Bradenton Manatee beats Brandon 28-19, leaving the Eagles 12-1. Trinidad fell to Palm Harbor's Jon Dinsmore 13-5 in a major decision. State powerhouses: Naples Riverdale, Miami Braddock, Suwanee, Manatee, Osceola. SCHOOL WEIGHT NAME SCHOOL; 108: Brandon Perez: Campbell: 145: Keamalu Richardson: Kamehameha-Kapalama: 114: Treylan Kobayashi: South Dade has potentially the best team in Florida, and Palmetto Ridge is capable. Eighth-graders Rossi Bruno (103), 14, Kyle Koziel (135), 14, and junior David Alonso (125), 16, all train with the Brandon Wrestling Club. But Manatee, the last team to beat the Eagles, has been working hard for this season and can win. "You kind of expect something. Keith Koziel said. Seven wrestlers earned individual state titles, which is a Brandon High record, a milestone first reached in 2004. It never gets old," said volunteer coach Mike Ferrario, one of many former Brandon wrestlers still active with the program. 2nd Matt Avery West Lincoln T.J. Duvall Ragsdale Nick Koren Cary "I've been working my whole career for this," Kyle Koziel said before the state tournament, "trying to be the first in my family to live the dream.". "We're used to that," Cozart said. UPLAND - They were the New York Yankees in singlets, the team everyone came to see but loved to boo. "This year is going to be unusual in a number of ways with the COVID limitations we are under," Lynx head coach Derek . Diamond Ranch's Ruben Pereida lost the 171-pound match to David Craig, who is rated as the No. "It would really put our school on the map and get us going in the right direction." It comes with the price of being good we seem to build a natural rivalry wherever we go." Aug. 15, 1998: Cozart wins his fourth consecutive gold medal in as many World Masters Wrestling Championships. First was the epic dual meet the Spartans had with Gilroy, a high school team coached by former Oklahoma State wrestler and UFC MMA champion Daniel Cormier. All in all, the kids have compiled more than 150 individual national titles in the past 15 years. "A lot of people feel that the heart of this program started with Tony Ippolito," Cozart said. Bruno has earned more than 20 national championships in youth wrestling. Among the stellar accomplishments over the years: Brandon High has produced 29 state championship teams and 122 individual state champions. Anderson went 6-1 with five pins to improve to 17-3 on the season, and Fish, 6-1 with two pins to 18-3. If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't be where I am today.". Cozart has another son, Joey, who is an eighth-grader at Temple Heights, and is expected to wrestle for Brandon next year. The accomplishments of the 2013 champions Kevin and Kyle Norstrem,. "It wasn't too bad, I guess," Pereida said. "It definitely set the mood for the rest of the tournament.". LAKELAND - Back in 1977, snow fell in Miami. Timber Creek 114; 6. ", "This is something they can take on," Russ Cozart said. "He is working hard with the kids. The joint filled with tears that night. "Seven's the record, we tied the record," said assistant coach Bob Hendrickson, who played for Cozart as a high schooler and has coached with him for 22 years. Jim Graves started the wrestling program as a football coach who taught himself wrestling by reading books. Brandon High School might not just be the greatest high school wrestling program in Florida, but in the entire country. Brandon Tucker, Broken Arrow, 2003 . "This one is special," Bruno said. Toledo took the title at 152. Gabe Hixenbaugh, Thompson, 2016-19 . 1982-83: Easton Excels & Spartans are Stellar. It got me ready; it really got the rest of us ready for our match," Brandon 130-pounder Alex Araoz said. Jan. 8, 2005 -Brandon gets consecutive win No.400 with a 53-12 win against Chamberlain in Graves Duals semifinals. 1. Mark Zimmer Columbus St. Francis DeSales 1976, 77, 78, 79 2. I dont think hes going to be happy until he has 14 state champions in one year., Its a heck of a goal, Hendrickson added, shortly after the last match at state competition, but when you see whats happening here, I think its a reasonable goal for Russ Cozart., Thirteen Brandon wrestlers collectively compiled the 269 team points that brought home the schools 22ndstate crown and it was the second year in a row that wrestlers qualified in each of the 14 weight classes. "It's great motivation.". 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. Alonso went 2-1, Sickles was 1-2 and Chamberlain was 0-3 in close matches without some of its best wrestlers. Today, a film crew is following Brandon all season for an ESPN documentary, and former wrestler Dave Ryndes is writing a book. The seniors will provide the leadership in the practice room and in matches. Stoughton's program has a long-standing history of success and our coaches lead our kids to amazing personal and team victories. Garcia beat Victor Valley's Jarrett Zubiate 9-6, but the match was tied briefly in the third period. The turning point for the program came that following summer. As hard as it is to imagine, one day there might not be a streak, but there will always be cousins, nephews, fathers and brothers, and there will always be a wall of names that will be there to inspire every wrestler who walks into the Brandon gym. In the early years, Cozart said it was like "banging my head against a wall" to get kids out, but now there are routinely 30 to 50. But they still have state champions Eric Grajales and Joey Cozart, plus state runnerup Kevin Timothy, state placers Zaq Berridge and Phil Uno, plus Nick Hutchinson, Terry Dawson and several surprises. And if history tells us anything, the chance of The Streak continuing is better than anything else. Feb. 20, 1973 -Bradenton Manatee defeats Brandon 28-19 in the final dual meet of the 1972-73 season, the last time the Eagles lost a dual meet. That families move to Brandon to wrestle for Cozart is no secret to the people who know and observe Brandon wrestling, which is a hard thing not to notice if you follow the sport. 4. The school originally opened in 1914 on the current site of McLane Middle School, for the education of white students only. [5] In 1972, the school moved to its current location on Victoria Street in Brandon. 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. "We get the same thing in Florida. Also helping Brandon achieve its 269 points at state competition were runner-up finishers Devan Berrian and Travis Berridge. Most State Champions-7(09,11,12), Most State Finalists-9(03,05,11), Most State Placers-12(04,0913), USA Most Prestigious All-Star Meet "Pittsburgh Classic", 1993 Dennis Kitko, 2005 Franklin Gomez, 2006 David Craig, 2009 Eric Grajales, 2010 Joe Cozart, 2016 Kyle Norstrem, Outstanding finishes in National Tournaments. To put that accomplishment in perspective, consider that at the 2011 state competition, Brandon's 269-point total was three points higher than the combined scores of both the second- and third-place teams. 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. For the Brandon High wrestling team, winning has always been a family tradition. "I can't say enough about the kids, this group of guys. The Eagles' national record winning and unbeaten streaks end at 459 and 468, respectively. Letsgetstarted. In Brandon, they wrestle. By MARTINFENNELLY | The Tampa Tribune Published: November 20, 2008. Brandon HS Wrestling History: First season of wrestling 1969-70, to 2021-22, 53 seasons, dual meet record 931-27-1, winning percentage .971, Jim Graves 98-11-1 1971-80, 4 St. Tabor says his three middle-schoolers have a mutual challenge, normally not faced by older wrestlers in the high school ranks. BRANDON LEON (Roosevelt) 6-0 won by decision over JACOB CHRISTENSEN (Durham) 5-1 (Dec 9-4) 3rd Place Match . ", "I think this is a great idea for everyone involved," Sickles coach Terry Brockland said. Durant's Justin Bechtold put the Cougars on the board with an 8-2 win over Kevin Timothy at 119 pounds. "Alex was the one that really taught me how to stay low. Our kids will have to use their superior skills and experience to overcome strength. Folkstyle/Freestyle/Greco-Roman. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Brandon adopted the school colors maroon and white in 1931. Four-time state wrestling champions Josh Taylor . Daily Bulletin Ontario, CA 12/31/05 "It's a good story. "Overall, we did not wrestle well," Kitko said. ALL AGES, WRESTLING CLASSES AND WORKOUTS, WE ARE AT THE BRANDON HS GYM. Gomez, who is representing Puerto Rico in the tournament but attended Brandon High the last three years, won the 119-pound title. I owe a lot to Alex - and to James for throwing me around in practice.". Darkhorses: Wharton, Jesuit, Riverview, Plant City, Sickles and Newsome. Lakewood St. Edward 183.0 2. "High school wrestling," Cozart said with a smile. Kevin Timothy, Brandon, Sr., 140: Defending state champ. John Gurich (Gilroy, CC1, 11) #7 5. "They would have won.". West Virginia High School Wrestling Four and Three Time State Champions. Brandon finished with 292 points, 149 better than second-place Springstead. Grajales and Cozart won titles, as did Kevin Timothy, whose loss to South Dade made it official that The Streak was done. "After that, it was always my choice, but my brother always pushed me hard. Palm Harbor was second with 189. Brandon High is currently Pending school grade[6] in SDHC's high school grading scale. "It gives us an early opportunity to measure where we are and find out what we need to work on the most.". 17th in a row(2001-2017) 28th overall. 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. Alabama High School Athletic Association. Eric Grajales (103), Kevin Timothy (119), James Brown (125), Alex Araoz (130), Sean Joyce (145), Keith Koziel (152), Tom Timothy (160) and David Craig (171) all took home titles for Brandon. "We are setting the bar high for other programs if they are willing to take on the challenge," said Cozart. Wrestlers: Rocky Cozart 5X USA Wrestling National Champion, Bret Gustafson 5th NCAA '91, Josh Lambrecht 3X NCAA 7th 2nd 3rd, Franklin Gomez Olympian 2012 London and 2016 Rio, NCAA Champion 3rd 3rd, Joe Cozart 2X NAIA National Champion 2nd, Eric Grajales 3rd NCAA, Rossi Bruno 8th NCAA, Clark Glass U of Oklahoma NQ, Kevin Norstrem Virginia Tech NQ, Anthony Grajales U of Penn 4X NQ, Rashad Goff Cleve State 3X NQ, Kyle Norstrem VT NQ. 15); in each dual, the teams wrestle each weight class (103 to heavyweight) like a regular dual. We just never wanted to be part of the end of it. STATE CHAMPS - '77,'82,'84,'85,'88,'91,'92,'93,'95,'97,'98, REGION CHAMPS '76,'77,'79,'81-'88,'90-'12, LONGEST WINNING STREAK IN THE HISTORY OF HIGH, LONGEST UNDEFEATED STREAK IN THE HISTORY OF HIGH, MOST STATE TOURNAMENTS WON CONSECUTIVELY(12)-'01-'12, MOST POINTS SCORED AT A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MEET-, IN 2005 BRANDON HAD THE DISTINCTION OF HAVING THE MOST. Grajalas lost 4-3 in overtime at 135 and Cozart was beaten in the final 30 seconds at 160. "He is also an outstanding football player and is being recruited by several Division I college teams.". Brandon High graduate Carlos Tosca made the majors as the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002 and is currently a bench coach for the Atlanta Braves. 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. "I know them better. Top 10 wrestlers in the area, regardless of weight class: The school was a common name in the Greco-Roman division, getting three champions and two runner-ups in one of the more notable prep accomplishments in the history of the tournament. Jim Jordan St. Paris Graham Local 1979, 80, 81, 82 . VOTED 2009 & 2010 BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM IN THE BAY AREA - 620 WDAE & Beef 'O' Brady's BRANDON WRESTLING HONORS "Our seniors have worked hard, taken their lumps for several years and provide mature leadership," coach Russ Cozart said. 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. Alexander Basketball: Can the Cougars Finally Reach the Top? Collinsville senior Cameron Steed pinned Claremore's Kai Shultz in 1:02 in the final to . She won state shot put titles in 1979 and 1980. But Cozart noticed Keller's tendency and his teammates helped him fix it. Eagle Jeff Turner played for Vanderbilt, earned a gold medal with the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and had a 10-year NBA career. Yes, Miami. Also, we encourage all stakeholders to visit the district website and the district's mental health page for a variety of mental health resources. We're just trying to do our best to get ready.". "When I gave up points and it was tied, I was really scared then." Wt. Bringing home state titles: James Flint, Kevin Norstrem, Rossi Bruno, Tyler Liberatore, Clark Glass, Wally Figaro and Kyle Koziel. "That's why we named it after him, so people don't forget about him. They're not their brothers, but in that same sense, you figure they've been brought up with wrestling," Joyce said. They came from a compilation of a few schools. In 1985, Brandon's Toney Mack led the nation with a 41-point scoring average as a senior. There should be a number of state champions coming out of this year's tournament.". For Brandon coach Russ Cozart, the Ippolito Memorial Tournament gives him a chance to remember a friend. Glass did it, too, in the 152-pound weight class. Yes, but it will be tough. 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. Brandon won its first wrestling state title in 1977 and has won the last 13,. The school mascot is the Eagle. All three wrestlers competing for a fourth individual state title have made it to the championship in the 2022 Iowa high school state wrestling tournament. If a parent or coach has information on a wrestler who has finished his official high school career with over 100 wins, please send information to: Robinson.Prebish@virginiawrestling.com. ALL AGES-HIGH SCHOOL/MIDDLE/ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-NO CARD NEEDED!!!! Brandon wrestling has been around for 51 years (1969-present), has a combined all-time dual meet record of 908-26-1withan all-time winning percentage of 97.1%, and has won countless championships. The accomplishment was not included in the initial list of the school's state runnerup teams. 5. Feb. 6, 1988 -Brandon notches win No.176 with a 76-6 win against Hillsborough, breaking the national wrestling program mark for consecutive wins held by Bismarck, N.D. Jan. 27, 1990- Brandon gets consecutive win No.200 with a 70-6 win against Hillsborough. It was a power in the state of Florida, but took a step forward on the Olympic style big stage.