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Wrestling: Brandon wins 44th straight county crown

 
Published Feb. 14, 2016

TAMPA — Five of Brandon's seven finalists won Saturday, helping the Eagles to win the Hillsborough County Championships for a 44th straight year. That's 36 for coach Russ Cozart, preceded by coach Jim Graves' eight.

For his part, Cozart was quick to point out that a streak that began in 1972 should be credited to the athletes, parents and administrators as well.

"Actually, we're not as strong as we have been," Cozart said. "I think we're wrestling very hard and as smart as we can."

The Eagles tallied 280.5 points with Riverview totaling 170 to finish as the county runnerup for a third straight season. Host Wharton was third at 150.

Brandon's winners were Trey Lane (106 pounds), Andrew Bond (113), Kyle Norstrem (126), Frank Bruno (138) and Joe Marcano (195) while teammates Noah Ridley (145) and Alex Popke (182) made it to the finals.

Riverview had three finalists and two champions in Kizhan Clarke (132) and Tony Hernandez (145). Jordan Forrest made the finals, but got pinned by Bond.

"We're just consistent in our fundamentals," Riverview coach Willie Sargable said. "Our motto is willing to work to win and our guys buy in."

Hernandez and Wharton's Mykail Robinson (220) had the closest matches with Hernandez edging Ridley 1-0 and Robinson narrowly defeating Armwood's Nicholas Donaghy 2-1.

Hernandez, who improved to 37-6, had split two matches with Ridley this season and scored the lone point by standing up from the down position midway through the third round.

"I knew it was crunch time," Hernandez said. "I knew at the end all I had to do was escape."

For Robinson, who improved to 45-4, his victory avenged a one-point loss to Donaghy in the conference meet at Bloomingdale.

"I kept up the pressure," Robinson said. "It's extremely amazing."

Also winning on county titles were: Steinbrenner's Brett Behers (120), Robinson's Chad Heidt (152), Sickles' Hamid Salahutchin (160), Gaither's Brad Bolesta (170), Hillsborough's Connor Knauer (182) and Lennard's Rowdy Driggers (295).