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Brandon's Graves Challenge Boasts Strong Field

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By ADAM ADKINS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2007

BRANDON - It appears "The Streak" will be challenged this season, and in the format longtime Brandon wrestling coach Russ Cozart has envisioned.
Cozart said Thursday that Naples Palmetto Ridge, Bradenton Manatee, Miami South Dade and Springstead, some of the state's top programs, all are confirmed entries in the field for the sixth annual Jim Graves Challenge the Streak Dual Meet Tournament, set for Jan. 4-5 at Brandon.
Cozart created the Graves duals to serve as an open invitation to any wrestling team that wanted a shot at ending Brandon's national-record winning streak, which stands at 439 entering this season.

"The Graves is finally living up to what it's supposed to be," Cozart said.
Palmetto Ridge was the Class 1A state champs last season, South Dade (3A) and Manatee (2A) each were state runners-up, and Springstead finished seventh in 2A. The inclusion of these four teams makes this the toughest field by far in the tournament's history, Cozart said.

"I'm definitely looking forward to the Graves duals. Every year we've got people saying they're going to beat us and all this and we're worse than the year before," said junior Eric Grajales, adding the Eagles' success hinges on hard work, and that never changes.

"No matter what everyone else is doing, we're still working just as hard as the year before."

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.

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