Pinellas: News and notes

By Bob Putnam and Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writers
Published March 8, 2008

Former Brandon wrestler arrested

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 in Tampa 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, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office 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.

Eduardo A. Encina, Times staff writer

Relays postponed

The Richard Allen Relays scheduled for Friday at Pinellas Park were postponed because of poor weather. The event will be made up March 28, Pinellas Park track coach Stacey Simmons said.

The meet included 14 county teams, making it one of the largest of the season. Teams scheduled to participate: Boca Ciega, Clearwater, Countryside, Dunedin, Gibbs, Lakewood, Largo, Northeast, Osceola, Pinellas Park, Seminole, St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Catholic and Tarpon Springs.

Contact us

Bob Putnam can be reached at putnam@sptimes.com or 727 445-4169. Bryan Burns can be reached at bburns@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2216.

[Last modified March 8, 2008, 00:52:24]