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Orlando Sentinel Article "Oviedo to Brandon: We'll come to you" 12-30-06 |
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-------------------- Oviedo to Brandon: We'll come to you -------------------- The Lions' wrestlers want a chance to end Brandon's record winning streak. Tania Ganguli Sentinel Staff Writer December 30, 2006 The Oviedo wrestling program wants another shot at Brandon High, and the Lions are willing to go to Brandon to get it. A dispute over seeding procedures led Brandon to withdraw from Oviedo's tournament, the Zac Jarzynka Memorial Ironman, this weekend. But fans still may get the opportunity to see Florida's top two programs square off on the mat for the first time, this time with Brandon's national record streak of dual-match victories on the line. Oviedo assistant coach Tom Coffman e-mailed Brandon Coach Russ Cozart at 1:26 a.m. Friday, clarifying Oviedo's rules for a tournament and requesting a match. "I would like to offer up Oviedo coming to Brandon in January of this year [2007] for a dual match," Coffman wrote in the e-mail. "Please let me know of open dates you might have, and let's work together to make it a great event for the sport of wrestling." Cozart responded to Coffman's e-mail and said, "We have an opening in the Graves dual-meet tournament on Jan. 5-6, 2007.'' In the e-mail, Cozart elaborated on his displeasure with the seeding method for Oviedo's tournament, calling it a bad decision and saying that Oviedo's tournament wasn't on the same level as the Ironman or the Beast of the East tournament in Delaware. Because Brandon pulled out of Oviedo's tournament and Oviedo pulled out of the Southside Duals last week, both teams now can schedule an extra dual meet under FHSAA rules. "He's [Cozart] already said it'd have to be at his place," Coffman said Friday. "I talked to the [Oviedo] coaches, and they said, 'Sure, let's do it.' " Brandon holds the national high-school record in any sport for consecutive wins, with 434 dual-match wins dating to 1973. The Eagles have won 17 state championships, including a current streak of six consecutive Class 2A state championships. Oviedo has won the past three 3A state championships. Tania Ganguli can be reached at tganguli@orlandosentinel.com. Copyright (c) 2006, Orlando Sentinel | Get home delivery - up to 50% off Visit OrlandoSentinel.com |
