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Brandon Adds More Wrestling Champs To Elite Lineup

Photo courtesy of ESPN

Even with a new crop of talent on the squad, Coach Cozart will still lean on veterans like Eric Grajales.

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2008

Updated: 11/25/2008 08:48 pm

BRANDON - Russ Cozart, now in his 28th season as Brandon's wrestling coach, has had many outstanding teams during his tenure with the Eagles. That much is evident by the 18 Brandon teams that have won state titles under Cozart's tutelage.

So it certainly should say something when Cozart says this year's Eagles team – at least on paper – shapes up as one of his best groups.

"I think it is, as far as quality," Cozart said. "We'll see when they line up and get out there, but we have some guys who have won some titles."

In addition to returning state champions Eric Grajales (three consecutive state titles), Joe Cozart (two consecutive state titles), and Kevin Timothy, the Eagles welcome four newcomers who also have state titles on their resumes. Freshmen Tyler Liberatore and Rossi Bruno won individual titles last season wrestling for Tampa Prep and Tampa Bay Christian, respectively, while freshman Clark Glass was a state-title winner for Tampa Bay Christian in 2007 and senior transfer Ryan Renkey was a two-time state champion in Arizona.

And the rest of the lineup is essentially filled with state placers and state qualifiers, most of whom also are expected to contend for state titles in their respective weight classes.

"We're real tough," Grajales said. "We've got a lot of young guys that are coming in that were real successful on the national level at their age groups who are now coming in as high schoolers and they're going to be phenomenal. They've got a lot of experience behind them."

In an effort to build on that experience, Cozart put together a very competitive schedule for the Eagles this season. It includes trips to Wisconsin and Alabama for tournaments that will give Brandon some national exposure, as well as a trip to the District 16 Duals in Homestead, where the Eagles will get a crack at redemption against Homestead South Dade, the team that ended Brandon's national-record winning streak at 459 last season.

"I think it's an exciting schedule that we've got this year, and we've got the team that could do it," Cozart said. "It's going to be challenging for them [but] you've got to challenge these types of guys. You can't just sit and wrestle Hillsborough County and boom, boom, boom, and that's it."

Grajales said the Eagles are excited and ready to face those challenges.

"We want to go out there and just show them what we've got," Grajales said. "We're young, but at the same time we've got some guys who can hang with the best that are out there. As a team, we're pumped. We're just training hard to get ready and trying to be the best we can be."

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 259-7616.

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