A couple Saturdays ago, Brandon High School snapped it’s 32 year win streak with a loss to Florida’s third ranked team, Homestead South Dade, 32-28. Brandon High won an incredible 459 straight dual meets; it is arguably the most impressive win streak in all of sports (too bad it was in the State of Florida, Sorry Darren). The streak was in regards to wrestling, which is no where near as challenging as in states outside of Florida (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California just to name a few).
Wrestling is a sport unlike any other; it’s a you vs him sport. There is really no coach to game-plan and no stud quarterback or 6’11 power forward to dominate the game. In wrestling, all 11 guys have to step out on that mat and carry his own weight. More importantly, every athlete has a day when he is off. Every athlete except for Cael Sanderson, an Iowa State alum who compiled a 159-0 record. He was the only wrestler in NCAA history to accomplish such a feat.
In wrestling, there is a saying “there is always someone out there”, whether it be at a match, a tournament, or any other time during the season. One bad match could end a season for a team or an individual. That was the case with Brandon High. Was Brandon the better team? Most likely. But did they have the better night? No. Going undefeated in wrestling is such a rarity no matter what level, but Brandon High achieved the feat over numerous seasons.
While some may argue that Brandon was a man amongst boys in regards to competition, it is still unbelievable that over these 32 years, the school has brought in state champ, after state champ after state champ. Sixty eight to be exact. Every good thing eventually comes to an end, and who knows if we will ever see such a streak in sports ever again.