Saturday, May 28, 2022

Four (Or More) Time State Champions in College = Florida

Florida is an interesting case to me. I've argued for years that Florida is the top state in the country without a Division I wrestling program. Actually between 85'-86 & 15'-16' a period of 30 years, outside of the NCWA, there was no varsity collegiate wrestling in the state period. Since that time we've gotten three NAIA programs in Southeastern, Keiser & St. Thomas. Hopefully there is more to come. It's obvious by looking at their five & four time state champions that Florida high school wrestlers WANT to compete in college. Very thankful that they now have three NAIA programs to choose from, as well as the many schools that have NCWA opportunities. However, with all of the DI & DII schools in the state, it's really about time Florida had some representation at those levels. 

I mean just look at some of the talent Florida has produced over the years.  This is simply scratching the surface too as it only includes the four & five time state champs. 

Fox Baldwin 

Representing Lake Highland as well as Osceola during his prep career, Fox Baldwin won Florida High School State titles between 11'-15'.  After spending his redshirt & freshman season at Virginia, he ended up finishing off his collegiate career at Southeastern. 

Rossi Bruno 

A five time Florida State champ for Tampa Bay Christian & Brandon between 08'-12', Rossi Bruno competed for the Michigan Wolverines where he was a two time NCAA qualifier. The highlight of his collegiate career was during his junior season of 2014-2015.  That season he took runner-up honors at both CKLV as well as The Southern Scuffle, earning 8th place NCAA Division I All American honors. 

Clark Glass 

Representing both Tampa Bay Christian as well as Brandon, Clark Glass won Florida High School State titles in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012.  Collegiately he competed for the Sooners of Oklahoma, where he was 3rd in the BIG 12 three years running between 15'-17'. Other highlights during his career were a 4th place finish at CKLV his junior season & a 7th place finish at the Midlands his senior season. 

Kevin Norstrem

Another representative of both Tampa Bay Christian as well as Brandon, Kevin Norstrem won Florida State titles between 09'-13'.  Competing collegiately for Virginia Tech, Norstrem had a promising start to his career. An NCAA qualifier he placed 7th at CKLV & 5th at the Midlands. Unfortunately injuries would hamper the rest of his career. 

Kyle Norstrem 

It's amazing how much brothers can have in common. Like brother Kevin, Kyle Norstrem also won five Florida State titles (12'-16').  Also like Kevin, Kyle started off strong during his freshman year at Virginia Tech, qualifying for the 2018 NCAA DI tournament. Unfortunately also like Kyle, injuries hampered the rest of his career. 



P.J. Cobbert 

Winning four Florida High School State titles between 98'-01', to my knowledge P.J. Cobbert did not compete in college. 

Joe Cozart 

Joe Cozart won four Florida State titles for Brandon from 07'-10'.  He started off his collegiate career at Iowa State where he finished in 4th place at the 2012 BIG 12 championships as a freshman.  Transferring to Lindsey Wilson, he was the NAIA runner-up in 2013 before winning back to back NAIA titles in 2014 & 2015. 

David Craig 

A four time Florida state champion for Brandon from 03'-06, David Craig competed collegiately for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. Highlighted by winning the EIWA title in 2009, he was also 4th in 2007 & 3rd in 2010. 

James Flint 

Another Florida standout that represented both Tampa Bay Christian as well as Brandon, Flint won titles in 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2014.  Competing for Lindsey Wilson, he was a two time NAIA All American placing 6th in 2015 & 4th in 2016. 

Glenn Goodman 

Winning Florida State titles between 77'-80', Glenn Goodman who wrestled for both Tampa Catholic 7 Chamberlain competed collegiately for Oklahoma. 

Cesar Grajales 

Cesar Grajales won four Florida State titles for Brandon between 02'-05'.  Collegiately he competed for the Pennsylvania Quakers. Highlighted by an EIWA title in 2008 as a sophomore, he also placed 3rd twice in 2006 as a true freshman & in 2010 as a senior. 

Eric Grajales 

Like brother Cesar, Eric won four Florida state titles for Brandon between 06'-09'.  Grajales had a stand out collegiate career at Michigan.  An NCAA All American his senior season of 2014 with a 3rd place finish, Grajales also had the following credentials: 

BIG 10 2nd-3rd-7th-4th 

Won a CKLV title his sophomore season of 2012, placing 6th in 2014 as a senior

Placed 6th at the Midlands in 2013 as a junior, taking runner-up honors as a senior in 2014. 

Earl Hall 

Earl Hall who won four Florida High School State titles for South Dade (08'-11') competed for Iowa State collegiately. As a Cyclone he was a two time All American placing 8th as a freshman in 2014 & 7th as a junior in 2016. He was also a two time BIG 12 finalist, a three time CKLV place-winner & a two time Midlands place-winner. He had 103 victories during college. 

Sean Joyce 

Representing both Brandon as well as Temple Heights Christian, Sean Joyce won his four Florida High School state titles in 2003, 2004, 2006 & 2007. Collegiately he competed for Army. 

Dylan Lucas 

Lucas represented both Tampa Bay Christian as well as Brandon winning Florida High School States titles from 05'-08'. He wrestled for Oklahoma in college. 


Jason Robbins 


Robbins won his four Florida High School State titles for Oviedo from 02'-05'.  He started off his career at Arizona State where as a true freshman in 2006 he took 4th place at the PAC-12 championships. I'm not 100% positive what happened to him after that. 

Scotti Sentes

A four time Florida High School State champion for Fort Meyes from 05'-08', Scotti Sentes competed for the Chippewas of Central Michigan during college. While there he was a two time All American, garnering 7th place as a freshman in 2009 & 4th place as a junior in 2011. In both seasons he was also an MAC champion, taking 3rd place there as a sophomore & senior.  He also placed three times at the Midlands taking 4th as a freshman, 3rd as a junior & 8th as a senior.  He placed 7th at CKLV as a junior. 

J.T. Taylor 

J.T. Taylor won four Florida High School State titles for Central Gibbons from 00'-03'. He did not wrestle in college. 


=== 

Florida four (or more) time state champs are still fairly well represented at the collegiate level. 

I'm not 100% positive where Joey Silva of Lake Highland is continuing his career but he was an NCAA qualifier for Michigan in 2020. He should have at least a year of eligibility if not more left. 

Haven't heard yet where Lucas Willis of Charlotte Tarpon is headed, but I'd imagine we'll see him on the mat next season. 

Anthony Artalona of Tampa Prep is at Penn. He's already won an EIWA title & been R12 as the NCAA's twice. 

Brevin Balmeceda of Keys Gate/South Dade started off at Oklahoma State & is now at Life. 

Jake Brindley of Lake High land is at Cornell. 

Not 100% positive but I believe Jonathan Conrad of Carrollwood will be at Brown this upcoming season. 

Bretli Reyna of South Dade is at Iowa. 


I repeat myself, wouldn't it be awesome to see these guys have a least one DI opportunity to compete at in the state? 


And furthermore for clarification let me add that so many of the programs (DI & DII) in Florida at one time had wrestling. While a few if there were to get wrestling it would be a first time for them for the majority of them, it would be a restoration. 


































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