Brandon star gets big award

By TERRY JONES
Published June 2, 2006

BRANDON - None of his teammates had a doubt, and every opponent in his 184 consecutive wins were suspicious.

Now members of the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame have confirmed Brandon graduate David Craig is the top high school wrestler in the United States.

Saturday, Craig will be in Stillwater, Okla., to receive the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, the first Floridian to be honored.

A few weeks ago, Craig won the Dan Hodge Jr. Award for WIN Wrestling magazine's top wrestler in the United States.

"This award is the culmination of a lot of hard work, high skill and success on the mats. But the recipient is evaluated by more than that," Brandon coach Russ Cozart said. "They evaluate his academics, humility, integrity and overall character. I don't believe they could have selected a better person."

Craig, who has signed with Lehigh, not only won four individual state titles, but titles at the Iron Man and Beast of the East, two of the nation's most competitive tournaments.

"Maybe I'm just lucky," Craig said. "A lot of people and things have guided me, and many just fell into place. God gave me the talent. My parents were always a total support.

"No one can teach better than Coach Cozart, and all my teammates through the years have pushed me and treated just like another member of the team."

[Last modified June 2, 2006, 00:57:12]