Former Brandon wrestler arrested

Rocky Cozart, son of coach, faces misdemeanor charges.

By Keith Niebuhr, Times Staff Writer
Published March 8, 2008

Russell "Rocky" Cozart Jr., 21, a former standout at Brandon now wrestling at Michigan State, was arrested early Friday and faces three misdemeanor charges in connection with raucous behavior at a country bar.

According to an affidavit, Cozart was at the Dallas Bull bar on Highway 301 when he tried to start a fight with other patrons. The staff asked him to leave but he refused, and a sheriff's deputy who works at the bar tried to place Cozart under arrest, but he pulled away from the deputy and began shouting profanities, the affidavit said.

Cozart, arrested at 3:04 a.m., was charged with trespassing after warning, resisting arrest with nonviolence and disorderly intoxication, all misdemeanors, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said. He is free on bail.

Cozart won three state titles in 2003-05 with the Eagles and completed his career with a 187-4 record. He was in town on spring break from Michigan State, where he is a redshirt sophomore.

Cozart is the son of longtime Brandon wrestling coach Russ Cozart, who did not return a phone message.

[Last modified March 7, 2008, 23:16:54]