Brandon wrestling film: Your thoughts?

The Streak is history. So, too, is its world premiere.

Now that you've had a chance to view (perhaps more than once) The Streak, ESPN's documentary about the Brandon wrestling team, we'd love to get your thoughts. Compelling? Poignant? Contrived? Anything that bothered you? Anything omitted from the program's history that you would've liked to have seen?

Let us know. In the meantime...

Our top five favorite scenes from the film:

5. The opening credits, displayed over footage of the Eagles going through their nausea-inducing early-season workouts. How can one watch that and not come away with a newfound appreciation for wrestling?

4. The prepubescent members of the Brandon Kids Wrestling Club crying after the Eagles' loss to Homestead South Dade that snapped the program's 34-year win streak. With a snap-out-of-it tone, Coach Russ Cozart tells the youngsters, "You'll be part of my next win streak." This brief scene conveyed the significance of The Streak to the Brandon community, young and old.

3. Senior 285-pounder Aaron Fullenwider pinning Bradenton Manatee's Richie Cunningham, who had earlier thrown him out of bounds, in the semifinals of the Graves Invitational. Fullenwider's win completely swung the momentum in favor of the Eagles, who went on to win 37-22. What the cameras didn't show: Earlier in the match, Cunningham needed a time-out to vomit.

2. Junior 135-pounder Kevin Timothy, who suffered the defeat that clinched the Eagles' team loss to South Dade, earning atonement with a victory in the state finals in Lakeland. Minutes before in the film, Timothy had openly questioned whether he wanted to keep wrestling after the loss.

1. The aftermath of the loss to South Dade. There's Russ Cozart, arm draped around the shoulders of son Joey, as they walk in a dark parking lot to their cars after the loss to South Dade. In the night's final match, after South Dade had clinched the team victory, Joey pinned his 140-pound opponent in the first quarter. When Russ recalls his son's on-mat display of pride and fortitude in the wake of the historic defeat, he clearly wells up. This is the most poignant sequence of the film.

Comments

[Former Wrestler]

Great story. however, the stuff he got away with is unbelivable. half his team doesnt even go to Brandon. however i will give him credit for going through all the trouble he goes through to get the equivalent of a pro bowl team

[Mike]

I have been coaching high school wrestling for 17 years and the entire wrestling community seems to be buzzing since this show was aired. I have not seen it yet but from other's comments and from what I have read it is a truly amazing story. Can someone please advise me of where I can get a copy to show my kids on my team. What the coach has done to motivate his team to prepare them for such a high level of competition is truly magical. I have been around the sport for a while and the true secret is how the coach maintains his own enthusiasm and passion in the sport and how he relays it to his students. As a coach once told me "if you teach kids to believe in themselves then they will be champions on and off the mat." You have obviously had a profound influence on many youths over the years and they will in turn pass this magic on to others- Congratulations Coach!!!

Does anyone know where I can watch the streak online? or maybe another time it will be playing on tv? I missed it and have been looking for another way to watch it since then

[Former Wrestler]

Looks like ESPN failed to cover all the underhanded BS that Cozart got away with for years such as recruiting and manipulating officals.

espn couldnt have done a better job
hats off to espn, and oufcourse brandon

[Chris A]

Awesome....This is a great story about a great coach working with grateful kids. Hopefully, more students will see this and understand what true committment means. Bravo Coach Cozart and all those involved.

[Tigergator]

What Brandon has done is remarkable. Congrats to all the former and current wrestlers for their success. Also, kudos to coach Cozart, who has done so much for wrestling in the state.

[Malcolm]

one of the best film's ever. Wrestling is highly overlooked in FLorida, and this brought the sport some much deserved attention

[yep]

agreed

[welldone]

I am not a wrestling fan at all but ESPN did a fantastic job with this piece. Anyone who likes any high school sport should watch it.....I gained a lot of respect for the program and Coach Cozart.........