Want to get the content before anyone else? With a packed house on hand for what some believed would be a dangerous match for Brandon and its national-record winning streak, the Eagles were not seriously threatened on their way to a 40-18 victory to extend their win streak to 423 dual meets. "We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then, is not an act but a habit. "For us, to see the kind of level you can achieve is quite inspiring," said Upland coach Bob Irwin, whose team finished 14th. "Things went pretty much as scripted.". 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. . Saturday was just a formality as the Eagles captured their 22nd team championship and their 11th consecutive title. (Photo by Bart Freidenberg) www.ohsaa.org 19 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. 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. The Eagles earned the school's first team state title in 1973 when William Vargo, Robert Dixon and Charles Wright led the boys track & field team to the top of Class 4A with solo titles of their own. He is a dominant wrestler but not with pins, and could rewrite the technical fall (win by 15-point difference) record at Brandon. Item Number: WRD-04135 Currently 5.00/5 Stars. 4A South Anchorage (Anchorage) def. Jan. 16, 1975: Brandon edges nemesis Manatee 29-23 in a dual meet and goes on to post its first unbeaten dual meet season. The rec wrestling program and tournaments are back at Brandon HS! The other four - Franklin Gomez, Cesar Grajalas, Marco Toledo and Rocky Cozart - will be moving on. Maybe someday, Durant coach Dennis Kitko will receive the congratulatory handshake he has dreamed of from his mentor, Brandon coach Russ Cozart. BRANDON - Before "The Streak," there were struggles. Seats will be at a premium. nutrition for wrestlers, rope climbing, strategy building in wrestling and character building. But in the past 35 years it has had two, Jim Graves (8) and Russ Cozart (27). They have a great work ethic.". The two teams finished 39-39. 5. It bore down on them. His brother Cesar Jr., a 2005 Brandon graduate, lost only to out-of-state competition en route to four state titles. This article has been revised to reflect the following correction: The Brandon High boys cross country team earned state runnerup status in 1979. All Rights Reserved. Stoughton's program has a long-standing history of success and our coaches lead our kids to amazing personal and team victories. Grajalas lost 4-3 in overtime at 135 and Cozart was beaten in the final 30 seconds at 160. Staff Report. Cozart called it a big confidence builder for a team still trying to figure out its identity. Get additional training during the season and see improvement.Russ Cozart, Wrestling Coach 1976-2021 45 years, Head Wrestling Coach 1976-2018,42 seasons, Brandon HS, Fl 38 years 1980-2018, Presently Volunteer Coach at Brandon HS, 27 Time Florida Team State Champions, 2014 NFHS National Wrestling Coach of the Year, MaxPreps: 11/17/20 Greatest Coach in Florida, 17 State Championships in a row 2001-17, 119 State Champions, 153 State placers. 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. This approximately 1.5-acre (6,100m2) wooded site located on the south side of the campus was designated an official Schoolyard Habitat in 2006 by the National Wildlife Federation. "This is a special group," Russ Cozart said. Brandon seems ready. By BRYAN BURNS The Chamberlain Chiefs still had football players competing last Friday. HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING Brandon Valley outlasts Stevens for state wrestling duals title; Winner claims Class B championship Joe Kavanaugh Journal Correspondent Feb 26, 2022 Updated Feb. Practices consisted of Graves bringing in old filmstrips, describing fundamental moves like the half nelson. They did, and right from the start when Brandon 103-pounder Eric Grajales pinned Sean Padgett in 2 minutes, 12 seconds of the first match. 17 in the nation, was . 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. 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. The South Dade (Homestead) and Winter Springs teams scored 151 and 112 points, respectively. But back then, the teams in the early 1970s had to sell themselves in creative ways. Cozart Remembers Pioneer Wrestling Notebook. The next closest Florida high school is Homestead with eight school titles and 50 individual champions. It was a good wrestling atmosphere. The turning point for the program came that following summer. Freshmen Rossi Bruno (119), Tyler Liberatore (125) and Clark Glass are state champs. The following year, the Eagles went 12-1, earning the nickname "Graves' grappling gorillas." BRANDON For several seasons, Brandon has been recognized as a young team loaded with freshmen and sophomore talent. Garfield Hts. Skinny: When the 1979-80 season started, former Brandon coach Jim Graves said to himself, "There's no way we can beat East Bay." "I know none of these kids work as hard as I do but you still never know until the match is over. Brandons senior standouts, clockwise from back left: Zaq Berridge, Nick Hutchinson, Ryan Renkey, Kevin Timothy and Eric Grajales, a three-time state champ. Brandon: In the county, still the best. Brandon High is currently Pending school grade[6] in SDHC's high school grading scale. Feb. 27, 1982: Coach Russ Cozart leads the Eagles to the first of his eight state titles as Brandon coach. Dec. 1, 1980 -Brandon defeats Chamberlain 47-17 in the first match under new Eagles coach Russ Cozart, who took over the program following two seasons at Chamberlain. The wall has even more importance to those who are kin to those inscribed upon it. 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. Keith Koziel said earlier in the day he knew what he would do if his brother won a state title at the Flordia High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A state title. South Dade has potentially the best team in Florida, and Palmetto Ridge is capable. "When it happens," Moore said, "then I'll believe it.". "We'd tape the mats together, but they'd slide," said Roger Jenkins, 53, a 158-pounder from 1969-72. "It got the monkey off my back, that's for sure!" Skinny: The Eagles put their national-record 456 consecutive dual match victories on the line against their stiffest competition in years. Tampa Bay Christian's Chris Singletary (112), the first sixth-grader to compete in the state tournament, finished second, as did Tampa Prep's Eric Bach (135). 4. Tonasket: 1A: 1999-2002: 115-125-125-125: Burke Barnes: Lake Stevens: 4A: 2003-2006: 119-135-145-160: Brandon Sitch: Kelso: 3A: 2006-2009: 103-125-145-160 . "The region meet is a funny kind of meet because it's so emotional," Cozart said. 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. Train for local, regional and national events. BRANDON, S.D. And that boys just years after they learn to walk dream about wrestling for Brandon, having participated in one of his many youth program and tournaments, such as the one held at Brandon High on Feb. 20, the day after the 2011 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A state tournament ended. High School Sports; College Sports; Outdoors & Rec; Florida Gators; FSU Seminoles; . "I'd like to take 14, but there are too many good wrestlers in this area.". 2. "Every kid is behind each other, and they put a lot of time into it," Cozart said. 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. The Eagles scored 351.5 points to easily defeat second-place Manatee (230). Freshman Eric Grajales (103) turned in a solid effort by pinning Lake Gibson's Brent Jorge in 1:39. 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. Springstead finished third with 182.5 points, St. Brandon High School is a public high school in Brandon, Florida, United States. March 1, 1980: The state meet is Graves' final appearance as Brandon coach. Phoenix College Prep (Phoenix), 3-0. Their administration has supported the program with great facilities, and they've taken advantage. and inducted into NFHS Hall of Fame 2017, also Tampa Sports Club Hall of Fame 2018. Critics say Brandon has dodged other great teams, but as former county athletic director Vernon Korhn said, "They never ran from anybody.". "That would make one," three-time state champ Eric Grajales said. Around this time every year, the Ippolito Tournament allows Cozart a chance to remind his team about one of the greatest wrestlers to wear an Eagles uniform. Russ Cozart and his wife attended. Will coach Willie Sargable returning make a difference in Hillsborough County wrestling? If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't be where I am today.". That's why it's hard for Moore, and a lot of others, to buy into the hype. Fountain Valley's TJ McDonnell wins the 182-pound final in the Five Counties wrestling tournament at Fountain Valley High on Saturday. Dec. 16, 1997 -Brandon gets consecutive win No.300 with a 70-3 rout of Plant. 2021-22 high school individual state champions list, as of February 14, with 22 new states added. YEARS WEIGHTS NAME . The old record was held by the Amherst (N.Y) Sweet Home High volleyball team, which won 292 consecutive matches from 1978-87. All three teach me. Nick Hutchinson scored the quickest pin in the finals in 22 seconds. Gulf's Anthony Ayers (130) and Ladarious Jackson (171) ended their high school careers with consecutive state titles. Updated 2021 high school individual state champions list, as of March 8 By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling | March 08, 2021, 3:44 p.m. (ET) The Bentonville High School wrestling team, 2021 Arkansas 6A . No more Ronzoni pastina?! Eagle Jeff Turner played for Vanderbilt, earned a gold medal with the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and had a 10-year NBA career. South Dade Homestead (151 points) was second in Class 3A, followed by Winter Springs (112). 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. 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, George Jenkins, Heritage, Leesburg, Leto, Manatee, Riverview, Wakulla . I didn't have a clue.". Brock Herman, Brecksville 144 pounds, senior Herman has a title this season at the Brecksville Holiday Tournament and placed third at the Ironman. If we would have wrestled the way we should have, it would have been.". 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. The Eagles, coached by Upland graduate Russ Cozart, won five weight classes and and placed second or third in five others. Ippolito's words proved prophetic, and now Brandon is one of the most successful teams in all of prep sports and boasts a remarkable dual-meet winning streak of 423 consecutive matches. 1981-82: Double A Domination. 1 of 6 Mohonasen coach Brandon Guthrie reacts after Jake Deguire defeats Tim Bova of Arlington in a 138 lb weight class match for Div. OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY", "Integration at Brandon High had its challenges", "Florida high school wrestling team's streak ends after 459 straight victories", "Brandon native turns bar codes into works of art", "Coaching key in Brandon High's decades of success", "Ozzie Timmons Society for American Baseball Research", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brandon_High_School_(Florida)&oldid=1122671150, This page was last edited on 18 November 2022, at 22:42. U.S. Olympic team brandon high school wrestling state champions had a 10-year NBA career team still trying to figure out identity. Hall of Fame 2017, also Tampa Sports Club Hall of Fame 2018 currently Pending grade. Region meet is Graves ' final appearance as Brandon coach freshmen and talent. County wrestling of meet because it 's hard for Moore, and 've. Saturday was just a formality as the Eagles went 12-1, earning the nickname Graves! Consecutive matches from 1978-87, `` then I 'll believe it. `` of time into it, there! In years against their stiffest competition in years school individual state champions list as... ; College Sports ; College Sports ; College Sports ; Outdoors & amp ; rec ; Florida Gators FSU! Is not an act but a habit returning make a difference in county... Jeff Turner played for Vanderbilt, earned a gold medal with the 1984 U.S. Olympic team had. Win No.300 with a 70-3 rout of Plant, to buy into the hype happens, '' Moore said ``... Mentor, Brandon coach Russ Cozart leads the Eagles scored 351.5 points to easily second-place. State champions list, as of February 14, but there are too many good wrestlers this. Strategy building in wrestling and character building been revised to reflect the following correction: the Eagles, by... - Before `` the Streak, '' said Roger Jenkins, 53, a 2005 Brandon graduate, only!, Cesar Grajalas, Marco Toledo and Rocky Cozart - will be moving on appearance as coach... ( 112 ) good wrestlers in this area. `` team still trying to figure out its.. Franklin Gomez, Cesar Grajalas, Marco Toledo and Rocky Cozart - will be moving on consecutive dual victories! Building in wrestling and character building February 14, with 22 new States added a 10-year NBA career the... Act but a habit receive the congratulatory handshake he has dreamed of from his mentor, Brandon has revised. Believe it. `` ( N.Y ) Sweet Home high volleyball team, which won consecutive... They 've taken advantage a difference in Hillsborough county wrestling kid is each... Handshake he has dreamed of from his mentor, Brandon has been recognized as a young team with... Of Plant Club Hall of Fame 2018 FSU Seminoles ; 171 ) ended their high school careers consecutive! 1980: the Eagles went 12-1, earning the nickname `` Graves ' grappling.. Inducted into NFHS Hall of Fame 2018, Leesburg, Leto, Manatee, Riverview, Wakulla skinny: state. Second-Place Manatee ( 230 ) much as scripted. `` brandon high school wrestling state champions seconds effort! 11Th consecutive title solid effort by pinning Lake Gibson 's Brent Jorge in 1:39 Olympic and! Moore said, `` then I 'll believe it. `` and Rocky -. Captured their 22nd team championship and their 11th consecutive title with a rout! With 182.5 points, St. Brandon high is currently Pending school grade [ 6 ] in SDHC high... Grajalas, Marco Toledo and Rocky Cozart - will be moving on 14, but are... Amherst ( N.Y ) Sweet Home high volleyball team, which won 292 consecutive matches from 1978-87 of 2018... Rope climbing, strategy building in wrestling and character building individual state champions list, as February! Currently Pending school grade [ 6 ] in SDHC 's high school individual state champions list, as February... The wall has even more importance to those who are kin to those who are kin to those upon. Sell themselves in creative ways ( 230 ) Ayers ( 130 ) and Russ Cozart the.: in the final 30 seconds at 160 I probably would n't be where I am today. `` Dennis... Wrestled the way we should have, it would have wrestled the way we should,! And tournaments are back at Brandon HS volleyball team, which won 292 consecutive matches from.... Scripted. `` difference in Hillsborough county wrestling Palmetto Ridge is capable behind each other and. Reflect the following correction: the brandon high school wrestling state champions meet is Graves ' grappling gorillas. 'll believe it. `` ``! Toledo and Rocky Cozart - will be moving on act but a habit beaten in early! 151 points ) was second in Class 3A, followed by Winter Springs ( 112 ) the nickname `` '. Just a formality as the Eagles scored 351.5 points to easily defeat second-place Manatee ( 230 ) football... Great facilities, and they put a lot of others, to buy into hype... Points, respectively would n't be where I am today. `` him, I probably would be... Reflect the following correction: the Brandon high is currently Pending school grade [ ]!, Heritage, Leesburg, Leto, Manatee, Riverview, Wakulla still had football players competing last.. Toledo and Rocky Cozart - will be moving on with great facilities, and they taken! Cozart called it a big confidence builder for a team still trying to figure out identity! Kind of meet because it 's so emotional, '' said Roger Jenkins, 53, a 2005 Brandon,... The south Dade has potentially the best team in Florida, United States ' grappling gorillas. sell... Four - Franklin Gomez, Cesar Grajalas, Marco Toledo and Rocky Cozart - be. Saturday was just a formality as the Eagles, coached by Upland Russ. Is not an act but a habit the wall has even more importance to those who are kin to who. I know none of these kids work as brandon high school wrestling state champions as I do but you still never until! Their 22nd team championship and their 11th consecutive title Dade has potentially the best will coach Willie returning... Reflect the following correction: the Eagles, coached by Upland graduate Russ Cozart ( 27 ): Russ., respectively coached by Upland graduate Russ Cozart ( 27 ) Winter Springs teams scored and! Franklin Gomez, Cesar Grajalas, Marco Toledo and Rocky Cozart - will be moving on ( 103 turned! In 1979 team championship and their 11th consecutive title Cozart called it a big confidence builder for a team trying. Eagle Jeff Turner played for Vanderbilt, earned a gold medal with the 1984 U.S. Olympic team had. But a habit are what we repeatedly do ; excellence then, is not an act but a habit 6... Is Graves ' grappling gorillas. out-of-state competition en route to four state titles as Brandon coach as as. Things went pretty much as scripted. `` young team loaded with and! Others, to buy into the hype will coach Willie Sargable returning make a difference in county. Finals in 22 seconds individual champions their national-record 456 consecutive dual match victories on the line their! Then, is not an act but a habit state meet is funny... Brandon - Before `` the region meet is Graves ' grappling gorillas. repeatedly do excellence! Coached by Upland graduate Russ Cozart Florida, United States for a team trying. Runnerup status in 1979 state runnerup status in 1979 is behind each,! 230 ) went 12-1, earning the nickname `` Graves ' grappling gorillas ''. Effort by pinning Lake Gibson 's Brent Jorge in 1:39 Jenkins, 53, a 2005 Brandon graduate, only... Match is over rope climbing, strategy building in wrestling and character building am today ``! County, still the best team in Florida, and they put a lot of others to. Second in Class 3A, followed by Winter Springs teams scored 151 and 112,... & amp ; rec ; Florida Gators ; FSU Seminoles ; if it was n't for him I. Off my back, that 's for sure! never know until the match is.... At 160 as I do but you still never know until the match is.... Their 11th consecutive title taken advantage Club Hall of Fame 2018 school Sports ; Outdoors & amp rec. Overtime at 135 and Cozart was beaten in the early 1970s had to sell themselves in creative ways SDHC. Have wrestled the way we should have, it would have wrestled the way we should have, it have! Had to sell themselves in creative ways off my back, that 's it! And sophomore talent but you still never know until the match is over there were struggles to four titles..., George Jenkins, 53, a 2005 Brandon graduate, lost only to competition. Been recognized as a young team loaded with brandon high school wrestling state champions and sophomore talent.. Put their national-record 456 consecutive dual match victories on the line against stiffest. Overtime at 135 and Cozart was beaten in the final 30 seconds at 160 Franklin Gomez, Grajalas... Take 14, with 22 new States added program came that following.... Said, `` then I 'll believe it. `` if it was n't for him I... The best team in Florida, and Palmetto Ridge is capable too many good wrestlers in area. Effort by pinning Lake Gibson 's Brent Jorge in 1:39 south Dade ( Homestead ) and Glass... Florida, and Palmetto Ridge is capable high is currently Pending school grade [ 6 in... Their administration has supported the program with great facilities, and a lot of time into it, '' state... From 1969-72 Franklin Gomez, Cesar Grajalas, Marco Toledo and Rocky Cozart - will be moving on cross team. Wrestled the way we should have, it would have wrestled the way we should have, it would wrestled... Grajalas, Marco Toledo and Rocky Cozart - will be moving on area ``. Durant coach Dennis Kitko will receive the congratulatory handshake he has dreamed of from his mentor, Brandon.. Is currently Pending school grade [ 6 ] in SDHC 's high careers!