Brandon High wrestler goes from injury to all-star

BRANDON (FOX 13) - Wrestling for the best high school program in the country comes with a lot of pressure, but Brandon senior Kyle Norstrem says he doesn't feel the pressure - he prefers to apply it.

"Constant pressure," said Eagles Head Coach Russ Cozart. "Constant attacking. Never letting down... He's just constant pressure. He's not happy unless he's just always moving. Always putting pressure on the guy."

Norstrem brings it better than anyone in his weight class. He's a four-time state champion on the verge of reaching an elite class. Next month, Kyle will be in line to wrestle for a rare fifth state title - something only three other Brandon Eagles have pulled off in Russ Cozart's 40-years at Brandon.

"It's always in my mind, everyday," Norstrem explained. "I think about it. There's not one day that I don't think about it. I've sat there an said, 'it's not a big deal.' I've had it handed it to me. I know every kid out there wants to beat me. Every kid has put a target on my back. So I'm going to go out here and work harder than them."

"The reason I'm so psyched about it is because I know he wants it,' Cozart said." When one of my wrestlers wants something, I'm right there with them."

It's already been an amazing career. Norstrem hasn't lost a match since his freshman year. He's on a streak of 173 straight wins.

However, his senior season didn't get off to a solid start. He missed half of the year recovering from a knee injury.

"It was a trying moment for him, me, the team, for everybody to just try to keep everything status quo," Coach Cozart explained. "Bringing up backups. Letting them have their shot. Getting him out of rehab. Keeping his head straight. Keeping him focused. Just being patient."

Even before the state finals roll around, Norstrem already received some incredible news. He was selected to the two most prestigious high school all-star events in the country.

Team USA's Dream Team Classic in Minnesota on Saturday, March 12 and the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic in Pittsburgh on Saturday March 26.

"I can't explain how happy I was," Norstrem said. "Words literally can't describe how much joy was brought to me. 'Cause knowing how elite that program is. How elite that all star duel is and how many people that have wrestled in that, that are now are the best kids that wrestle in college. To be a part of that is just great. It's phenomenal."

"They only pick one guy per weight," said Cozart. "So it's a very prestigious selection to be picked as the 126-pounder. The best 126-pounder in the nation to represent these all-star teams."

Pressure? Only Kyle Norstrem's opponents feel it.