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Brandon Gearing Up For Ippolito Tourney

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By ADAM ADKINS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 15, 2008

Updated: 01/14/2008 11:35 pm

The Streak is over, but Brandon's season is not.

The Eagles will host the 24th annual Tony Ippolito Memorial Tournament on Friday and Saturday, signifying the team's first time on the mat since losing to Homestead South Dade in the final of the sixth annual Jim Graves Challenge the Streak Dual Meet Tournament, which snapped Brandon's national record winning (459) and unbeaten (468) streaks.

And it's safe to say Brandon is eagerly anticipating that return.

"We're hungry and ready to go," Brandon coach Russ Cozart said.
Cozart said things have been going as usual for the Eagles during the last week of practice, except for one minor detail.

"Just a little more intense," Cozart said.

The Eagles still have a nice winning streak at the Ippolito: They've won the past 15 tournament titles. In fact, the Eagles have finished first in 21 of the 23 tournaments. Bismarck (N.D.) High is the only other team to win the tournament, taking first in 1989 and 1992.

TKATCH EYEING RECORD: Tampa Prep senior Charles Tkatch will go for the school record in victories this weekend at the Ippolito Tournament at Brandon.

Tkatch, a fifth-year varsity wrestler, will enter the tournament with at least 111 victories. He could pick up win No. 112 today during a dual match with Englewood Lemon Bay.

The school record is 114 wins, set by Nate Drummond in 2003, according to Tampa Prep coach Josh Wille.

ONE STANDS TALL: Hillsborough County wrestlers had a tough time reaching the top of the podium during the weekend at the 18th annual Springstead Invitational. In fact, Chamberlain's Brian Collera was the only one who managed the feat.

The Chiefs junior earned a 9-4 decision over River Ridge's Landon Vannata to claim the 160-pound title Saturday night, a win that capped a 4-0 tournament. Three other county wrestlers - Armwood 103-pounder James Gray, Newsome 140-pounder Mike Colonna and Jesuit 189-pounder Chris Kavouklis - advanced to the finals but lost.

Chamberlain also was the top county finisher at the 21-team tournament. The Chiefs took fourth with 103.5 points, 113 back of champion and host Springstead. Jesuit (eighth) and Armwood (10th) were the only other county schools to finish in the top 10.

While county wrestlers were kept off the top podium, several placed in the top four.

Armwood's Cristian Perez (119) and Leroy Minley (130), Newsome's Dan Wood (145) and Jesuit's Ben Reid (152) each took third, while Jesuit's Marko Crespo (119) and David Gonzalez (125), Chamberlain's William Greening (130) and Troy Chisholm (135) and Armwood's Tim Witte (171) each took fourth.

RAMS DYNAMIC DUO: As has been the norm this season, Tampa Bay Christian eighth-graders Rossi Bruno and Clark Glass continue to impress.

Both young standouts captured individual titles during the weekend at the 22nd annual Flagler Rotary Invitational at Palm Coast High, with Bruno winning at 112 pounds and Glass at 119.

Tampa Bay Christian was one of two local teams to compete in the tournament, joining Durant. Durant had the best team finish of the two, taking fourth in the 30-team field with 136 points, 45 back of tournament champion Niceville. The Rams finished tied for 12th with 76.5 points.

The Cougars had five wrestlers place in the top six of their weight class, led by 145-pounder Yamil Crespo and heavyweight Nick Hadick, who each took second. Also in the top six for Durant were Christian Reed (125 pounds; third place), Alex Hamm (103; fourth) and Derrick Hudson (130; sixth). The Rams also got a fourth-place finish from Kyle Koziel (140).

ON DECK: The Hillsborough County Championships, the season-ending tournament for all of the county's public school programs, are scheduled for Jan. 25-26 at Wharton. District tournaments begin the following week.

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

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