Brandon’s Cozart gets Dapper Dan invite

Posted Jan 26, 2010 by Adam Adkins

Updated Jan 26, 2010 at 12:43 PM

Joe Cozart is headed to the Rose Bowl of Wrestling.

Brandon’s senior wrestling standout has accepted an invitation to compete in the 2010 Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic, Brandon coach Russ Cozart said.

Cozart, who wrestles at 152 pounds for the Eagles and is ranked fifth nationally at that weight by InterMat, will compete at 145 pounds for the USA all-stars in the prestigious national event, which is in its 36th year. The USA all-stars will face the Pennsylvania all-stars on March 20 at the Fitzgerald Field House in Pittsburgh.

“We’re really excited about it,” said Russ Cozart, who is Joe’s father. “Joe’s worked very hard over his career to be the best he can. He knows it’s going to be a great challenge.”

Joe Cozart will become just the seventh Hillsborough County wrestler to compete for the USA all-stars at the Dapper Dan. Former Chamberlain standout Glenn Goodman (1980) and former Brandon standouts Dennis Kitko (1993), Franklin Gomez (2005), David Craig (2006) and Eric Grajales (2009) also received invitations to the prestigious event, while former Gaither standout Mike Patierno was a fill-in wrestler on USA’s 1991 squad after the wrestler at his weight got sick.

In 1991, the Florida all-stars wrestled the Western Pennsylvania (WPIAL) all-stars, who compete each year at the event against a state-formed all-star squad, in the dual match preceding the USA vs. Pennsylvania dual. The WPIAL all-stars will square off against the New York all-stars at this year’s event.

“I’m very honored to have had so many kids involved in such a great event,” said Russ Cozart, who coached Goodman and each of the Brandon wrestlers previously selected for the event. “It is the No. 1 event in the United States.”

Joe Cozart, a three-time state champion for the Eagles who signed in November with Iowa State, recently topped 200 career wins. He ran his record this season to 43-1 after winning the 152-pound title at the 26th annual Tony Ippolito Memorial Tournament at Brandon on Saturday.

Cozart’s only loss this season is a one-point decision in the finals at the 2010 Cheesehead Invitational to Apple Valley (Minn.) High’s Destin McCauley, who is ranked No. 2 in the nation at 152 pounds by InterMat.

Photo: Brandon’s Joe Cozart, top, works against Springstead’s Shawn Landgraff in the 152-pound final at the 26th annual Tony Ippolito Memorial Tournament.