Brandon Wrestlers Hungry To Extend State Crown Streak

They came, they wrestled, they conquered, but for the Eagles of Brandon High, dominance is only part of the story and winning is more than just a streak, in whatever form it takes.

On Feb. 18, the quest begins anew for yet another extension of yet another streak, this time to take home an 11th consecutive state title and the team’s 22nd state title overall.

For the 14 varsity Eagles on the mat for Coach Russ Cozart, winning is about tradition, but more than that it’s about an individual boy’s love of the sport and the emergence of that passion into a young man’s quest for his personal best.

In a nutshell, that’s the consensus of players’ thoughts after they left the finals mat at Kissimmee-Osceola High School on Feb. 12, for the Class 3A, District 2 regional contest.

Brandon won the title — with nine of its 14 wrestlers placing first, one placing second, three placing third and one placing fourth, which means all 14 have a shot at individual state titles.

It’s the second year in a row that Brandon will have a wrestler represented at states in each weight class.

As for Cozart, his team won its first regional title in 1981 — his first year at Brandon High — and has lost only one regional contest since, in 1989. Again, the Eagles are vying for their 11th straight state title, and 20th overall. And the “big” streak is the one that never should have happened, that didn’t seem even humanly possible: 459 consecutive victories and 468 matches without defeat. That 34-year streak ended Jan. 5, 2008.

But wrestling for the streaks and for Cozart is only part of the story, even if it is the reason so many wrestlers leave their schools and hometowns throughout the nation to settle in Brandon and vie for a spot on the wrestling team.

For some, it’s been a lifelong quest.

“I live in Brandon and I was wrestling with the kids’ club since I was eight,” said James Flint, regional champ in the 112-weight class. I thought it was pretty cool and I thought I’d just stick with it, so why not wrestle for high school? 

James Flint, regional champ in the 112-pound weight class, said wrestling for Brandon was in the grand plan.

“I get a chance to wrestle against some of the best kids in the nation and for Coach Cozart,” Flint said. “Coach Cozart pushes us in practice. He tells us what we need to do, things to stay away from on the mat and off the mat. He’s like a second father to me.”

Devan Berrian, the regional champ at 103 pounds, said he started wrestling at age 5 or 6. “Immediately I loved it and I’ve stuck with it ever since,” he said.

Should he win a state title, “it’s going to feel great,” Berrian added. “It’s a big opportunity for me and my parents. We’re a new family here and we have to prove we deserve to be on the mat.”

Kevin Norstrem is deeply rooted in the Brandon tradition.

“Growing up, watching all the guys from all the teams before me, I just want to live up to that and walk a mile in their shoes and feel what it’s like to be a real champion,” said Norstrem, who aims to wrestle in college and to “make a run for the Olympics down the road.”

Victor Fugate, regional champ at 119 pounds, said he believes he has a good shot at a state crown, “if I keep working hard, practicing and staying mentally prepared, not just physically prepared,” he said.

As for why he puts in the grueling hours, Fugate is certain: “It’s a challenge.”

"Wrestling is the toughest sport in the world, it’s the oldest sport, and I love a challenge,” he added.

Kyle Koziel, the regional champ at 171 pounds, is psyched for state competition. “I’ve been working my whole career for this,” he said, “trying to be the first in my family to live the dream.”

As for Wally Figaro, regional champ at 160 pounds, he started wrestling at age 6.

“My first reason why, it was to get in shape, lose weight,” he said. “Then, I started doing good and I said, ‘Hey, this is my sport..”

Like his teammates, Figaro has great respect for Cozart. As Figaro put it: “He taught me how to believe in myself.”