Schools

Victorious Brandon High Wrestlers Ready to Set Records at States

A decisive win at the FHSAA Class 3A-Regional 2 competition, at home in Brandon, paves the way for Russ Cozart's Brandon High Eagles to powerhouse their way through state competition in Lakeland.

 

Head Coach Russ Cozart is on the record. His team of Brandon High School wrestlers “can’t be complacent.”

That’s what he told The Tampa Tribune, in an article about the teams’s successful championship run for another FHSAA Class 3A-Region 2 title.

Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Next up: A chance to win the team’s 23rd state title. And, get this, the team’s 13th consecutive state crown.

But that’s not all, not for this team.

Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A team state title is virtually in the bag; this team apparently has no match.

The aim, as Cozart told the Brandon Patch last year, is to one day leave the state tournament with each of his players an individual state champion.

Last year, seven Brandon wrestlers took a state title, a crowning achievement for sure.

“Seven’s the record, we tied the record,” said assistant coach Bob Hendrickson at last year’s state tournament. Hendrickson wrestled for Cozart in high school and has coached with him for 23 years.

This year, Brandon wrestlers are set to compete in 11 of the 14 weight classes, which means Cozart’s ultimate dream is in the future.

The FHSAA Wrestling Finals are scheduled for Feb. 17-18 at the Lakeland Civic Center.

But taking home eight crowns would set another record, as will the fact that two Brandon wrestlers — Rossi Bruno and Clark Glass — will be going for their fifth state titles, each wrestler having first wrestled in the state tournament as eighth-graders.

En route to the state crown, the Brandon wrestlers on Feb. 11, ended the two-day Class 3A-Region 2 tournament, at home, with 289.5 points. Next closest: Kissimmee Osceola, with 205 points.

Hillsborough’s County’ Durant High placed fourth, with 93 points.

2012 FHSSA Wrestling First-Round Pairings: Brandon Wrestlers

106-Pound Class
Junior Steve Deborba (23-9), Timder Lake (Orlando) vs. freshman Dylan Lucas, (30-0), Brandon

113-Pound Class
Sophomore Kyle Williams (21-10), Boca Raton vs. Sophomore James Flint (57-2), Brandon  

120-Pound Class
Senior Ryan Kuse (51-5), Everglades (Miramar) vs. sophomore Devan Berrian (30-6), Brandon

126-Pound Class
Senior Emmanuel Singleton (31-6), Sandalwood (Jacksonville) vs. Senior Rossi Bruno (57-0), Brandon

132-Pound Class
Senior Kevin Espertin (25-12), Southwest Miami, vs. Junior Kevin Norstrem (58-0), Brandon

138-Pound Class
Freshman Troy Joyce (45-11), Brandon, vs. Senior Jose Morales (32-6), Centennial (Port St. Lucie)

152-Pound Class
Senior Justin Jimenez (43-9), Park Vista (Lake Worth) vs Junior Travis Berridge (54-3), Brandon

160-Pound Class
Senior Michael Reyes (36-13), Apopka vs. Clark Glass (56-1), Brandon

170-Pound Class
Senior Davit Mnatsakanian (53-8), Park Vista (Lake Worth) vs. Junior Jacob Haydock (51-4), Brandon

182-Pound Class
Junior Josh Velez (20-16), Lyman (Longwood) vs. Senior Kyle Koziel (48-4), Brandon

195-Pound Class
Freshman Robert Enmon (41-15), Brandon vs. Senior Andrew Itnyre (31-4), Centennial (Port St. Lucie) 

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