Braddock's Eric Chandler has the visible signs of a wrestler who has endured the wear and tear of a tough high school career.

A brace that extended from shin to lower thigh protected his left knee where he tore an MCL last summer.

His left elbow was taped after a bruise sustained earlier in the tournament.

But Chandler did what he always does when he steps on the mat -- ignore any pain.

Chandler etched his name in the county history books with his victory over Sunset's Franklin Espinosa in the 125-pound weight class Saturday night at the GMAC championships at the Braddock gym.

Chandler became only the second wrestler to win four GMAC titles, joining South Dade's Tico Baez.

''I've been battling injuries the whole year, but I'm starting to feel better,'' Chandler said.

``[Winning four GMACs in a row] says a lot about my career. It's really a steppingstone, though. Even if I'm in major pain, I won't let it stop me from winning another state title.''

South Dade secured its fifth consecutive GMAC team crown, finishing 30.5 points ahead of American. Columbus was third with 215.5 points.

The Bucs were led by their own dominant grappler, Kendrick Sanders, who pinned all four of his opponents during the two-day tournament. He capped it with a fall in 1:47 over Goleman's Abe Vidal at 145 pounds.

Sanders, a former junior national champion, continues to earn respect across the country. This past week, he was named to the Cliff Keen Dream Team, a select team published in Wrestling USA Magazine that honors the high school and national careers of the top wrestlers across the country.

''It's rare for a Florida wrestler to be named,'' South Dade coach Vic Balmaceda said. ``It speaks volumes about the kind of work he puts in year-round. And he's a football player a few months out of the year, which makes it even more remarkable. He's right there with the best this county's ever had.''

In addition to Sanders, sophomore Earl Hall (103), senior Mauricio Villanueva (119), senior Wilson Metellus (135) and senior Willie Wiggins (215) won individual titles.

American had three individual champions -- Armani Harris (112), David Castillo (189) and Henry Chirino (heavyweight). Harris scored a big victory over Columbus' Matty Noffo, pinning him in the 112-pound class in 5:13.

Columbus wrestlers split the two most competitive matches of the finals that each went to overtime.

The Explorers' George Gulesian and Southwest's Jonathan Olivera dueled to a 5-5 tie after regulation in the 130-pound championship. After both wrestlers locked up 30 seconds into the sudden death one-minute period, Gulesian used his leverage and spun behind Olivera for a takedown that gave him the winning two points.

South Dade's Wilson Metellus beat Columbus' Jake Rio to win the ensuing 135-pound title match. In overtime, Metellus broke a 1-1 tie when Rio let go of a lockup and Metellus took advantage and scored a takedown.

The biggest upset of the tournament came in the 140-pound class as Southwest senior Oxsunn Ramirez scored a decision over defending state champion Rey Parrado of Goleman. Ramirez's brother, Uxsunn, was a state finalist last season at 135 pounds, but has missed the entire season thus far with a shoulder injury. Ramirez said the victory was personal redemption for his family.

''I didn't think about him being a former state champion, I just thought about my brother and it gave me motivation,'' Ramirez said. ``This gives me a lot more confidence. I used to doubt myself, but not anymore. This is my chance to shine.''

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