LIVING WITH STREAK AND SHADOW
Rocky Cozart reaching levels once earned by father who now leads record-setting Florida team
There’s something unique about every wrestling program in America. And there’s no doubt about what Brandon (Fla.) High hangs its wrestling headgear on: “The Streak.”
It’s Brandon’s national-record streak of dual-meet victories that now spans an incredible 31 years — longer than the lifespans of the past decade of Brandon wrestlers — and over 400 wins. The Eagles, ranked No. 13 nationally in this issue of W.I.N., are heavy favorites to take their
Class 2A state title once again.Coach Russ Cozart didn’t start “The Streak,” but his tireless work ethic helped extend it, while elevating Brandon’s program to national prominence. This year, they added a fourth-place finish in the Beast of the East Tournament at Newark, Del.
The past four years, part of Cozart has been on the mat at Brandon, literally. His son Rocky is expected to close his high school career by winning his third state title at 160 pounds this month.
Rocky first stepped out of his father’s shadow for good three years ago, when he launched a tremendous air show in winning the Cadet National Greco-Roman title and finished second in freestyle. He repeated those finishes at Fargo last summer in the Junior Nationals.
Rocky, who signed with Michigan State, has lived with it every day of his life and, as he reveals in this interview, has survived to tell about it.
WIN: You’ve grown up in a unique situation, having been around wrestling since your earliest memories of anything in life. To be around it as much as you are and to be as successful as you’ve been, you really have to love it, don’t you?
Cozart: Yeah, you definitely have to have a love for the sport and I think I’ve got that. Otherwise, you’re not gonna make it through.
WIN: Your father has coached you your entire life. I know you could say a million things about the influence he’s had on you. What can you say about him that maybe people don’t know?
Cozart: No matter how hard he tries to be serious and to push you, he’s still a really good guy. He gives me a lot of advice and things to do, but he’s pretty easygoing. He’s a great coach and a great father at the same time.
WIN: What are your earliest memories of wrestling?
Cozart: I can remember when I was really little, maybe five, six years old, just wrestling around and stuff.
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