Eagles turn in strong showings over break

Posted Jan 4, 2010 by Adam Adkins

Updated Jan 4, 2010 at 03:17 PM

The Brandon wrestling team had strong showings over the Christmas break at two out-of-state tournaments, winning one and placing second in the other, and the performances likely helped the Eagles enhance their national reputation.

The most recent Eagles showing was a runner-up finish at the 2010 Cheesehead Invitational in Kaukauna, Wis., on Jan. 1-2. The Eagles finished second in that 25-team event, which included six nationally-ranked programs (including Brandon).

Sophomore 119-pounder Rossi Bruno and senior 215-pounder Zack Baldwin each claimed individual crowns at the tournament for Brandon, which had six wrestlers reach the championship match in their respective weight class. Clark Glass (145 pounds), Joe Cozart (152), Mike Ettore (189) and Henry Chirino (285) each finished second.

Brandon, which was No. 8 in the latest Amateur Wrestling News Prep 40, amassed 671.5 points, which was second only to Minnesota’s Apple Valley (710.5 pounds), the nation’s No. 2 ranked team in the AWN poll. Brandon topped three other nationally-ranked programs at the Cheesehead Invitational: Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Seminary (No. 5), Illinois’ Montini Catholic (No. 12) and Minnesota’s Simley (No. 15).

Prior to that event, the Eagles won the Kyle Maynard Duals in Suwanee, Ga., on Dec. 23.

Brandon knocked off another nationally-ranked program in that event, Georgia’s Collins Hill, which was No. 14 in the AWN poll.

Pictured: Brandon High’s Rossi Bruno was one of two Eagles to claim an individual title at the 2010 Cheesehead Invitational, which featured six nationally-ranked programs.