Brandon lost.
In wrestling circles, that’s downright oxymoronic. It comes with a national record of 459 consecutive dual match victories. Until last week, Brandon High School hadn’t dropped a match in more than a generation.
Actually, the year was 1973.
As in Watergate, the Arab oil embargo and a U.S.-Vietnam cease fire.
The year “The Godfather” won big at the Oscars, and George Foreman became heavyweight champion for the first time. Secretariat ran away with the Triple Crown, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs and the Miami Dolphins completed an undefeated season by beating the Washington Redskins in the Super Bowl.
And the year Brandon High last lost — to Bradenton Manatee — until last week.
What the Eagles didn’t lose was the record – no school in any sport can even approach it – or the first-class reputation that was synonymous with “The Streak” that stretched across more than three decades.
There was palpable disappointment, shock and tears after the jolting loss. But nobody pointed fingers or blamed officials. Nobody threw a temper tantrum or trashed-talked the victors from Homestead South Dade HS. Brandon was as first-class in defeat as it had been in all those victories across all those years. Good sportsmanship didn’t take a hike when “The Streak” came to a stunning, screeching halt.
Brandon wrestling is known nationally — and even internationally — as an elite program with an old-school work ethic, peerless standards and unrivaled commitment to excellence. That won’t change.
Locally, Brandon wrestlers are known as winners on and off the mat. They are legitimate student-athletes whose names never show up in the wrong places. They are a source of immense pride to the Brandon community and comport themselves accordingly. In a number of cases, the tradition has been passed from father to son.
And keep in mind; this was not a match that was regularly scheduled. For years Brandon coach Russ Cozart has been going out of his way to host the “Beat the Streak” tournament that brought in out-of-county and out-of-state challengers. By soliciting better competition, he virtually assured defeat at some point — something that might not have happened for another three decades with only Hillsborough County competitors.
Brandon High. Now 459-1.
But word has it that Brandon isn’t hurting for new goals. Something about an unprecedented eighth straight state championship this year.
Congratulations, Coach Cozart and the Brandon High Eagles. Nobody has competed better.