Brandon still just perfect

Even with the action on the mat for the Graves Duals championship match between Brandon and Cardinal Gibbons, the upcoming match between Oviedo and the Eagles took center stage again.

By TERRY JONES, Times Correspondent
Published January 7, 2007

BRANDON - Even with the action on the mat for the Graves Duals championship match between Brandon and Cardinal Gibbons, the upcoming match between Oviedo and the Eagles took center stage again.

Two students who told officers they represented Oviedo High school were taping the match, forbidden by the Florida High School Athletic Association without proper permission.

"The tapes were confiscated, and I will meet with my athletic director and principal Monday to see what we will do next," said Brandon coach Russ Cozart, who reported the pair to Hillsborough County Deputies on duty for the event.

Wharton joined Brandon, Bloomingdale and Oviedo for the four-team dual tournament set for Wednesday, Jan. 24, in the Eagles Nest.

The incident didn't interfere with the Eagles' focus in the title dual match. Cardinal Gibbons won three of the 14 individual matches, but Brandon won the match 55-15 for consecutive win No. 438.

Senior Tommy Timothy, defending state champion at 160 pounds, brought the crowd to its feet when he scored a pin over Armand Munoz at 18 seconds - the fastest pin of the tournament.

"Our team is really starting to come together, and all of us are ready for another state team championship," said Timothy, who will wrestle at the University of Pennsylvania.

Eric Grajales (112), Kyle Keller (119) and Keith Koziel (152) also scored pins for the Eagles. Marcelino Munuz (189) and Bobby Christopher (285) scored pins for Cardinal Gibbons.

Brandon's Kevin Timothy (130) and Phil Uno (215) scored technical falls - victories with at least 15-point margins.

Terry Dawson (103), Joey Cozart (125) and Sean Patrick (171) scored major decisions of 8-point margins for the Eagles.

Another notable match for Brandon was at 145 pounds, where three-time state champion Sean Joyce decisioned Ivan Loupasham 8-6.

The Cardinal Gibbons wrestler was undefeated and ranked No. 1 in Florida for Class A.

[Last modified January 6, 2007, 23:55:44]