Meet Brandon State Champ Jacob Haydock

If the wrestling team was going to match its seven individual state titles from last year, it needed a special performance from their last two finalists at the Lakeland Center on Feb. 18.

Junior Jacob Haydock did his part to deliver.

Haydock (55-4) dominated his first three matches at at the 2012 FHSAA Class 3A State Championship, only to find a stingy opponent in Plant City's Cody Chaney (47-5) in the 170-pound final.

It was a grudge match for two rounds, with Haydock taking a 2-1 lead. In the third round, Haydock scored a 2-point takedown to go up 4-2. That would be enough, and the 5-3 decsion hoisted Haydock to the medal stand.

It was the second state title for Haydock, although his titles are from different states. Haydock transferred to Brandon this year from a school in Oklahoma.

Brandon Patch caught up with Haydock after the match.

Patch: How bad did you want to keep the streak going?

• Haydock: Of course you want to close out that final. I wanted to do my part and get that sixth title. I think I might have wanted it worse than anyone.

Patch: What is the main difference between Brandon wrestling and the Oklahoma school that you transferred from?

• Haydock: It's more intense here; grinding. It's like a military-style workout program. Here you're either all in or all out.

Patch: What's going through your head just before a match?

• Haydock: I try to clear it all out. I use my muscle memory; been doing this for years and, "let it fly".

Patch: Describe Florida state wrestling competition versus Oklahoma.

• Haydock: It was a little different last year. It's all-around a little bit tougher here. I think the classes all around are a little tougher.

Patch: Talk about that title match.

• Haydock: I had wrestled Chaney before. He got me the first time when I was hurt. However, I beat him the last five matches. I just wanted it more today.

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