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Preps

Countryside must get past Brandon

Having already lost to the Eagles in a dual meet, the Cougars have another shot at the state tourney.

By BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 26, 2003

Countryside has done some impressive things this season.

The Cougars have won five tournaments, are ranked second in the state among all classifications by Floridakids.net and are seventh in the Southeast, according to USA Wrestling.

But they have not beaten Brandon.

The Cougars are 21-0 against the rest of the state and 0-1 against the Eagles.

Eliminate that pesky opponent, and Countryside would be undefeated, hold the top spot in the rankings and be favored to win the Class 2A state team title this week at the Lakeland Center.

The Cougars' loss came at the Challenge the Streak tournament in January. After 23 years of trying to schedule Brandon in a dual meet, Countryside got its wish.

The two met in the final with the Eagles presevering their 29-year-old national record of 375 dual meet wins 40-15. It was Brandon's closest meet all season.

"We knew we really couldn't win the dual meet because there were some weights we didn't match up well with them," Countryside senior Matt Turtzo said. "But our focus all along has been state, and we have another shot at them."

It's understandable the Cougars want nothing more than to enter the Lakeland Center, wrestle a solid tournament and walk away victorious.

With that would come not only Countryside's first state title since 1990, but redemption against its fiercest rival.

But the Cougars know that is tough to do.

Brandon, ranked No. 1 among all classes, is trying to win its 14th state title, a state record. The Eagles advanced 12 wrestlers to the state tournament, including nine region champions.

By contrast, Countryside advanced nine and has five region champions: Mike Flood (125 pounds), Dominic DeNunzio (130), Steve Spicuzza (135), Matt Turtzo (140) and Wes Walker (145).

"We're going to go out and wrestle the best we can, but Brandon is in the driver's seat," Cougars coach Dave Frayer said.

Outmanned, Countryside's best chance is to beat the Eagles where they can -- head to head. The Cougars have six wrestlers paired in the same class as Brandon.

Countryside also could get help from its Pinellas counterparts. Seminole's Joey Fabrizio (189) and Dixie Hollins' Curtis Chance (275) are region champions and could meet Brandon wrestlers.

"There are a lot of things that can happen at the state tournament," Turtzo said. "Guys in other weight classes can help us by knocking off some of Brandon's wrestlers.

"But we have to wrestle well, too."

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