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Preps

Ippolito highlights individuals

The annual tournament at Brandon features many state champions and top contenders.

By TERRY JONES
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 31, 2003

BRANDON -- At least eight individual state champions, two state championship teams and a handful of state contenders are scheduled to compete today and Saturday in the Ippolito Memorial Tournament in the Brandon gym.

The Eagles won the tournament last year and went on to win the Class 2A title. St. Cloud placed third last year and won the Class 3A title. Bloomingdale, last year's Ippolito runner-up, is back for another shot.

Other strong teams that will compete include Bradenton Bayshore, Bradenton Manatee, Sarasota Riverview, Cape Coral and Jesuit.

With 10 state qualifiers back from last season's championship team, including three individual champions and a runner-up, Brandon is the favorite to win the team title and could have 10 individual winners. Manatee, Cape Coral and St. Cloud should put up a fierce battle for second.

"This should be another exciting Ippolito, with some very competitive matches from the first round," Brandon coach Russ Cozart said. "Besides the two state championship teams, there are others that will be competing for a title at the state tournament next month in Lakeland. We have good teams for all three classifications."

Cesar Grajales (119 pounds), Khalid Andwele (125), Matt Juncal (189) and Rocky Cozart (152) lead Brandon. Cozart should meet Manatee state champion Trevor Fair in the finals.

Other top contenders include: Ettore Ewen (215) and Nathaniel Drummond (125) of Tampa Prep; Darrin Van Meter (121) of Bradenton Bayshore; Nick Miles (135) and Derek Saibi (275) of Bloomingdale; Joe LeMay (103) and Greg Gulla (145) of Cape Coral; and Nick Lorenzano (160) of St. Cloud.

"Our duals tournament to challenge the streak was very successful in its first year," Cozart said. "In that we had some of the best teams in the state competing.

"The Ippolito has been a successful tournament for many years and looks to be again this year. In it we have some of the best individual wrestlers in the state. There should be some great matches."

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