Streak Savers

Brandon has faced some very close calls in its record win streak, but there were three wreslters in particular over the past 30 years who coach Russ Cozart said "saved the streak."

By JOE SMITH
Published January 4, 2008

Dual: 1980 vs. East Bay

Score: 28-27

Skinny: When the 1979-80 season started, former Brandon coach Jim Graves said to himself, "There's no way we can beat East Bay." But Gustafson helped save the day. He took on East Bay's Greg Sumner at 189; Gustafson had beaten Sumner in overtime three weeks prior. The Eagles were losing at the time, but Gustafson scored a five-team point superior decision, sending Brandon into the final few matches down 22-21.

"If Tony loses, we lose the match," former Brandon coach Jim Graves said. "He saved the streak."

Eric Grant

Dual: 1982 vs. Chamberlain

Score: 29-27

Skinny: Brandon coach Russ Cozart called it a miracle. He said the match with Chamberlain looked "hopeless on paper." Grant had lost to Tom Timchuk the four times they met previously, but he beat him on this memorable day with a stunning reversal (winning 7-6) in the Eagles three-point victory.

"If Chamberlain would have tied that match," Cozart said. "They would have won."

Steve Smith

Dual: 1989 vs. Chamberlain)

Score; 31-28

Skinny: Nearly 2,000 fans packed Chamberlain's gym for this showdown; the Eagles were thin and vulnerable due to school splitting four times over the previous years (Armwood and Bloomingdale opened). The Eagles tied a match and lost three by one point. Now it was up to Smith, a 5-foot-6 unlikely heavyweight taking on a 6-2 Chiefs wrestler "built like a big football player." Smith took him down with a headlock to preserve the win.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

[Last modified January 3, 2008, 20:56:59]