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01/07/2017 11:00 PMWrestling
Branford wrestling senior captain Noah Pantani recently recorded his 100th career victory when the Hornets competed in a big meet at Southington on Dec. 31. Pantani earned the win against an opponent from Platt and currently stands in fourth place on the Hornets’ all-time win list with 104 victories.
As a team, Head Coach Chris Bonagiuso’s squad came away with a few victories in the meet at Southington. Branford defeated SCC foes Cheshire (66-6) and Amity (54-30), while also taking defeats versus Platt (57-19), Lyman Memorial (37-31), and Mount Anthony (73-0). Then on Jan. 4, the Hornets hosted Cheshire and toppled the Rams 72-12. Branford stands with an overall record of 5-6 and a mark of 2-1 in SCC contests thus far this winter.
Girls' Indoor Track
Branford has kept busy by competing in several meets during the early going of the winter season.
On Dec. 27, Bridget Wirtz finished fifth in the pole vault with a height of 10 feet at the Rhode Island Classic. Liante Claude placed 12th in the 300 at 44.0 seconds on behalf of the Hornets.
Then on Dec. 30, the Hornets sent several competitors to the Wintergreen Invitational at Southern Connecticut State University. Wirtz took third in the pole vault and tied the indoor school record by clearing 10-6, while Keira Integlia placed third in the shot put with a throw of 29-6. Also for Branford, Brown was fourth in the pole vault (8-6), Wyntre Fries finished fifth for the 55-meter hurdles (10.34), Kathryn Pollard placed 12th in the shot put (24-1), and Courtney Cosgrove took 19th place in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 12:24.05.
After that, Branford competed at an SCC Developmental Meet at Floyd Little Athletic Center. Key performances for the Hornets came from Wirtz (9-6) and Brown (8-6) in the pole vault, Claude for the 300 (45.35) and 600 (1:52.07), Cosgrove (state-qualifying time of 5:49.83) and Colleen Visnic (6:11.61) in the 1,600;, Fries (10.69) and Elmasry (11.66) in the 55 hurdles, plus Rose Lockery (8.37), Elmasry (8.57), and Molly Zaffino (8.60) in the 55. Additionally, Branford's 1,600 sprint medley relay of Claude, Brown, Omaima Nasry, and Cosgrove ran a time of 4:55.91.
Boys’ Swimming and Diving
The Branford-Guilford (Bfd-Gfd) boys’ swimming and diving team competed in two meets last week and split the pair for a record of 1-2 on the year. On Jan. 3, the Hornets recorded an 82-69 victory versus Foran at the Walsh Intermediate Pool. Three days later, Head Coach Ray Beaulac’s squad had a meet at Sheehan and took an 86-79 defeat.
In the Foran win, Corey Gambardella took first place in the 50 freestyle (22.45) and the 100 butterfly (50.74), in addition to swimming on the victorious 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays. Senior Kyle Boucher swam on both relays and also prevailed in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:12.84.
Against Sheehan, Gambardella won the butterfly (51.30) and the 200 freestyle (1:44.54) for Bfd-Gfd. Gambardella also swam on the 200 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relay, which both prevailed. Senior Alek Karosas was a member of the latter relay and he took first place in the 50 freestyle (24.11) and 100 backstroke (1:01.34), as well.
Boys’ Basketball
The Hornets were victorious in two of their three recent contests and now sport a record of 3-2. Two days after losing to North Haven in the North Haven Holiday Tournament, Branford earned a 49-37 win over non-conference squad Aerospace in its second game of the tourney on Dec. 29. Then on Jan. 3, Head Coach Jake Palluzzi’s club traveled to Hand and came home with a 56-53 victory. Branford closed the week by facing Cheshire in its home opener on Jan. 6 and was edged by the Rams, 44-43.
Against Aerospace, Jake Sullivan scored 17 points for the Hornets, who were further aided by Jordan Donnelly (9 points), Ryan Sember (8), and Trevor Brown (7).
Sullivan followed that up by netting 23 points in the Hand victory. Sember scored 16 and Brown added eight points for Branford.
In the Cheshire game, Sullivan (16), Donnelly (11), Brown (9), and Sember (7) were the Hornets’ point scorers.
Girls’ Basketball
Branford defeated North Haven before losing to Cross last week for a record of 3-4 on the year. On Jan. 3, the Hornets hosted North Haven and prevailed 60-40. Then on Jan. 5, Branford had a game at Wilbur Cross and took a 56-52 overtime defeat.
Against North Haven, freshman Karly King scored 25 points for Branford, while senior Adrienne DiGioia had 15 points with eight assists. Sophie Araneo added eight points and had 10 rebounds.
DiGioia scored 29 points to lead Branford against Cross. King had nine points for the Hornets, who were outscored 11-7 in the overtime period.
Boys’ Ice Hockey
The Hornets improved to 2-3 by posting a 7-1 home blowout over SCC/SWC Division II foe Milford at Northford Ice Pavilion on Jan. 5.
Zach Withington scored two goals and had two assists to lead Branford, which outscored Milford 6-0 through the final two periods. Fellow senior Scott Klouda scored twice, while freshman Spencer Engstrom had a goal with an assist for Head Coach Jim DiNapoli’s club.
Girls’ Ice Hockey
Branford-East Haven-North Branford (Bfd-EH-NB) went 1-1 in a pair of games against Conard-Hall (C-H) last week. On Jan. 2, Bfd-EH-NB rallied for a 6-5 victory at Veteran’s Memorial Rink. Three days later, the team hosted C-H and dropped a 6-3 decision at DiLungo rink to move to 3-3-1 for the season.