BRANDON — The annual Jim Graves Wrestling Invitational once again drew teams from around the state and once again host Brandon soared to an easy victory Saturday.
The Eagles scored 655 points, far ahead of second-place Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (422) to win the 11-year-old event for the 10th time.
The Eagles placed 10 wrestlers in the finals and eight of them won titles, including senior Kevin Norstrom who is going for his fifth individual state title this season. Norstrom overpowered Henry Powell of Miami Christopher Columbus for a 3-0 win in his final at 138 pounds. Norstrom was named outstanding wrestler.
Coach Russ Cozart was uncharacteristically quiet during Norstrom's match.
"He's (Norstrom) pretty experienced, there's not much to tell him," Cozart said. "I've had him for a long time, back to kids club wrestling."
Senior Jonathan Summit (195), senior Travis Berridge (170), senior Jacob Haydock (160), sophomore Dylan Lucas (126), junior James Flint (120), freshman Kyle Norstrom (113) and freshman Geoff Doback (106) all took individual titles.
Lucas won the state title in the spring at 106 pounds but has jumped three weight classes.
"It's been great moving up; I have more energy because I'm not dead tired from cutting weight," Lucas said.
Flint won the grudge match of the evening against Alex Velez of Kissimmee Gateway, who he wrestled in the finals of the Gateway tournament just last week, notching a 3-1 overtime victory.
"I kind of knew what to go on, I pushed the pace and got him tired," Flint said. "Once I got that takedown and got away I just played it smart the rest of the match."
Also participating in the meet was Armwood and Strawberry Crest. Armwood's state champion at 106 pounds from last season, sophomore Donoven Hough, won his third-place match at 113 pounds, pinning Brandon Gonsalves of South Dade. Senior Robert Witte (160) and sophomore Kyre Kelly (106) won their fifth-place matches.
Strawberry Crest's wrestlers did not claim any place spots but, "showed a lot of promise and had a strong test" according to assistant coach William Terry.