Meet Brandon State Champ James Flint

sophomore James Flint probably had the closest match of all the finals Feb. 18 at the Lakeland Center.

His Class 3A state wrestling championship at 113 pounds did not come easy. Palm Harbor University freshman Jared Prince (55-3) held Flint in a 0-0 draw into the third period. Prince scored late in the third period to go up 1-0. The Palm Harbor side erupted, smelling an upset. The Brandon side erupted, wanting a two-point take down.

Flint (61-2) delivered with three seconds left in the match and took the decision 2-1 for his third state title. It was one of seven individual crowns taken home by the Eagles, who .

Brandon Patch caught up with Flint after the match.

Patch: What's going through your head when you're facing your opponent, just before the whistle blows?

• Flint: Just my strategy, what to do-what not to do, what the coaches have put in my head.

Patch: How has your experience been at states?

• Flint: It's been great, super-tough competition.

Patch: What's it like wrestling for Brandon?

• Flint: Awesome. You know you're in a program with a great history. It has the best wrestlers and coaches.

Patch: What do you think it is that makes Brandon so successful?

• Flint: Willingness to do everything it takes.

Patch: Talk about the final match.

• Flint: I knew I needed a take down and that was it. I told myself, "This is the last six minutes of the year." I remember coach yelling, "turn it, turn it." Jared and I wrestled last week at regionals. I worked on those short-leg takedowns, and that was what did it.

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