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A juggernaut assembles its sternest challenge

Many wanted a shot at ending the longest prep win streak ever. Brandon gives them the chance.

By SCOTT PURKS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published October 9, 2002

TAMPA -- The longest winning streak in the history of high school sports is being put on the line, and The Streak's caretaker, Brandon High wrestling coach Russ Cozart, isn't batting an eye.

Cozart says it's time to "Give all the big dogs a chance to knock us off," which could mean snapping Brandon's 28-year-old string of 359 dual-meet victories.

Last spring Cozart sent open invitations to the state's top 150 wrestling schools, many of which have complained that Brandon wouldn't wrestle them.

From those who accept, Cozart will set up the top 16 teams in a dual-meet format called the Challenge The Streak Tournament.

The dates are Jan. 10-11 at Brandon and so far Cozart has 12 entries, including perennial powers Countryside, Springstead, Flagler Palm Coast and Venice.

Several top programs are trying to get out of prior commitments for a shot at Brandon, but other powerhouses, including Miami Southridge and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, won't be able to fit the challenge into their schedules.

The question on many minds is, why do this at all?

"The Streak" is beloved in eastern Hillsborough County, protected through the years by hundreds of wrestlers and thousands of screaming fans.

"A lot of people get nervous when it comes to The Streak," Brandon athletic director Mike Burnett said. "Everybody feels an incredible amount of pride because of it. So yes, some people might be nervous."

Cozart simply said, "It's time.

"We've gotten ribbed for dodging the best schools," he said. "But we really haven't. I would have done this a long time ago, but for years (Hillsborough County's) schedule restricted us and didn't give us an opportunity to wrestle top programs in dual meets outside the county.

"This year the (county schedule) has been freed up because we don't have the Western Conference Tournament any more. So now here we are, and we're saying, "Anybody in the state who wants to come and get us, can come and get us.' "

The problem for the visitors is that Brandon might have its best team ever.

All nine of Brandon's state tournament qualifiers from last season, plus David Craig, a freshman transfer from Temple Heights, will wrestle this season for the Eagles. Three returners won state titles and four others finished fifth or better as Brandon won its state-record 13th team title.

Countryside coach Dave Frayer said he's well aware of Brandon's talent. But he relishes the possibility of facing the Eagles in a dual match, something he never has been able to do in his 22 years with the Cougars.

"This should have been going on for a long time," said Frayer, who is 301-29 with two state titles at Countryside. "I've wanted a shot at them for quite a while. I don't know if we can beat them, but we'd love to have the chance.

"This will be great for wrestling, and hopefully it will continue."

Cozart said he hopes to keep the tournament alive for years.

"I always said if we were going to put the streak on the line then it was going to be at Brandon," Cozart said. "We'll have the tournament until we get beat, and when we do we'll shake their hands and congratulate them."

When that happens, which probably won't be soon considering the talent in Cozart's youth clubs, it will end one of the most remarkable runs in sports.

Brandon has had only a few close calls, including wins over East Bay (28-27 in 1980), Chamberlain (29-27 in '82), Miami Southridge (35-24 in '84) and Chamberlain again (31-28 in '88).

In 1997 Brandon defeated Chamberlain 59-14, extending The Streak to 293, breaking the national record for consecutive victories in any sport. The record was held by the volleyball team at Sweet Home Central High in Amherst, N.Y.

Cozart is 284-0 at Brandon, having taken over after Jim Graves stepped aside as coach in 1980 with a 97-11-1 record, including wins in his final 75 dual matches. Burnett said he was a little surprised when Cozart came to him with the proposal of having the tournament but didn't hesitate to follow his coach's lead.

"Obviously Russ is no fool," Burnett said. "He knows he has a very good team, and he must feel confident.

"Of course this is a little scary because you never know what could happen. We could have a couple of devastating injuries and the streak could be in real jeopardy.

"It's hard to believe, but it could actually happen."

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