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Mighty Impressive, Even In Defeat

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 8, 2008

Sometimes, it's difficult to grasp the magnitude of a winning streak until it's over. And so it is when considering the Brandon High School wrestling team, whose incredible record of 459 straight victories ended Saturday with a loss to Homestead South Dade.

The 32-28 defeat marked the first for the team in nearly 35 years. And you read that right. That's seven U.S. presidents, more than 12,000 days and a national record for a high school team in any sport. Ever. It's simply amazing, one of the greatest feats on any level of sport.

The record, simply known as The Streak, was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the wrestlers and the coaches who led them - Jim Graves, under whom the record began, and current coach Russ Cozart, who left the gym Saturday with his first loss after 384 wins. He shouldn't worry - he won't be fired.

Keeping The Streak going had to have created pressure on the wrestlers and coaches through the years. For it to have lasted as long as it did, with other teams gunning for Brandon, wanting to be the one, makes the achievement even more remarkable.

Brandon, like true winners, didn't shy from the competition. Top programs were invited to try to end The Streak. That was the purpose for the Challenge the Streak Tournament in Brandon, where the Eagles finally lost.

There were some tears after the loss on Saturday, understandably, and disappointment probably will stick around until the next match, when the team has a chance to start a new streak.

But looking back on 34 years of perfection should bring nothing but smiles. Few people, if any, can say they didn't lose for that amount of time. The community should be extremely proud of the Brandon High Eagles.

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