Brandon Wrestlers Win Region Title, Set for State Showdown

It's another milestone in the storied life of the powerhouse Brandon High School wrestling team, as legendary head coach Russ Cozart sends his squad to state competition in Lakeland after winning yet another region title.

The 2013 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state competition is scheduled for Feb. 15-16 at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland. En route to that competition, the Eagles scored a 294-point victory Feb. 9 at the Class 3A-Region 2 tournament at Osceola Kissimmee.

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"Hosting the toughest region in the state, Osceola wrestlers knew they'd get a good test of what was ahead in the state tournament," notes a report posted by the Orlando Sentinel, adding that the host school was to send nine wrestlers to the Lakeland Center for states.

"To get nine to states is amazing, not many schools can say that. And to have seven in the finals in this region really says a lot about my team," said Kowboy wrestler Fox Baldwin.

Head coach Cozart apparently agreed, noting in a Tampa Bay Times report that he found it to be "probably the best year for this region, as far as the level of talent involved, in the last 30 years."

That didn't stop the Eagles from doing what the Eagles do best: winning.

Cozart's team reportedly qualified 13 wrestlers for state competition in Lakeland and crowned six individual champions at the regional tournament.

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RELATED COVERAGE:

• Wrestling Roundup: Brandon, Robinson, Score Region Team Victories

• Osceola Places 2nd at Region, Qualifies 9 for State Wrestling (Orlando Sentinel)