Wrestling: Brandon puts generations of winning on line

By Terry Jones, Times Correspondent
Published February 14, 2008

BRANDON - Cesar Grajales Sr. wrestled for the Brandon team that helped coach Russ Cozart win his first team state championship in 1982.

There was only one classification then and only one mat out for the finals. Brandon had no one in the finals, but pulled out a half-point victory.

"I was so impressed by the skill level of the coaching and the work ethic of the kids, I vowed that if I ever had any sons interested in wrestling I would get them to Brandon to be coached by Cozart," the senior Grajales said. "I do have two sons and I have never regretted my decision. They have succeeded beyond my wildest expectations."

Since 1982, the elder Grajales' senior year of high school, through last year, every Brandon team with a Grajales on the roster has been part of a team state championship. There have been seven.

"All told, our family has won 13 state championships in Florida so far," he said. I hope we get two more this week."

Cesar Sr. was part of one team title; Cesar Jr. won four individual belts and was part of four team championships; and Eric, a junior at Brandon, has won two individual and has been part of two team championships.

Brandon has 18 team championships and has crowned 66 individual champs. But the Eagles are young and this season lost their first dual match in 33 years.

"This will be a tough battle, requiring each of our guys to wrestle their best of the season in each and every second of every individual match," Eric Grajales said. "Palmetto Ridge, Manatee and maybe St. Cloud have very strong teams and we graduated half our team from last year."

Eric will need more than his family history for Brandon to win eight state titles in a row.

Phil Uno, Aaron Fullenwider and David Austin, the only seniors on the team, will be expected to wrestle far above the level they did not achieve in their dual loss to South Dade. But even they will need help.

"I have confidence in my teammates," Eric said.

Cozart is happy to have the Grajales tradition on the team for this tournament.

"When Cesar Sr. was on the team, I was impressed by his work ethic and determination," Cozart said. "He had a great senior year in 1982. His sons both have the same work ethic and the family is a great support for the team and the club."

State wrestling championships

Where: The Lakeland Center, Lakeland

Admission: $8 per session; parking $5 per day

Thursday: First round, noon; wrestlebacks, 5 p.m.

Friday: Second round, 10 a.m.; wrestlebacks, 2 p.m.; semifinals, 7

Saturday: Wrestlebacks, 10 a.m.; wrestlebacks, noon; third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth-place finals, 4 p.m.; championship finals, 6:30

County qualifiers

Alonso: Tony Milanes (103), Kurt Ivy (152), Kendall Ivy (189). Bloomingdale: Austin Figari (130), Chris Figari (140), Keith Mooney (215). Durant: Alex Hamm (103), Christian Reed (125), Yamil Crespo (145), Nick Hadick (285). Gaither: Matt Roach (145). Plant City: Travis Vollick (171). Riverview: Ryan Hight (130), Herman Hernandez (135)

Class 2A

Armwood: James Gray (103), Cristian Perez (119), LeRoy Minley (130), Timothy Witte (171). Brandon: Sean Padgett (103), Terry Dawson (112), Nick Hutchinson (125), Eric Grajales (130), Kevin Timothy (135), Joey Cozart (140), Wally Figaro (145), Mike Ettore (152), Zaq Berridge (160), David Austin (171), Phil Uno (215), Aaron Fullenwider (285). Chamberlain: Troy Chisholm (135). Hillsborough: Moses McCray (285). Jefferson: Skylar McMahon (215). King: Jeff Moody (152), Alex Hernandez (285). Middleton: Andre Coleman (285). Newsome: Dan Woods (145). Wharton: Dominic Cruz (103)

Class A

Jesuit: Austin Boudreau (112), Marko Crespo (119), David Gonzalez (125), Andrew Alizzi (135), Ben Reid (152), Chris Kavouklis (189). Robinson: Matt Willis (119), Zach Boyer (130), Mike Hawthorne (152), Ellis St. John (189). Tampa Bay Christian: Rossi Bruno (103), Clark Glass (119), David Alonzo (125), Kyle Koziel (140). Tampa Prep: Tyler Liberatore (112), Charles Tkath (140), Thomas Scarritt (145), Hector Fontanet (152), Wes Jarrell (160)

[Last modified February 13, 2008, 21:47:19]