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01/05/2019 11:00 PMBoys’ Indoor Track
The Branford boys’ indoor track team saw two of its relays turn in school-record performances while competing at a couple of marquee meets that were held in different states.
On Dec. 27, the Hornets’ 4x400 relay of senior Aidan Kropiwnicki, junior Nolan Scott, senior Matthew Daley, and senior Marzio Mastroianni posted a time of 3:39.54 to break the school record at the 10th annual Rhode Island Track Classic in Providence, Rhode Island. Branford’s unit earned a fourth-place finish in a field that featured relay teams from several other states. Mastroianni also came in second place for the 800 with a time of 2:02.55 at the Rhode Island Track Classic. Fellow senior Matt Alexander finished third in the long jump by reaching a distance of 20 feet-3.75 inches. Kropinwicki placed fourth in the pole vault by clearing a height of 10 feet-6 inches. He also finished fifth in the 300 with a time of 37.89 seconds for Branford.
“Competing in Providence against athletes from New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut was a tremendous opportunity for the kids. The athletes rose to the occasion, and there were many personal records and seasonal bests,” Head Coach Rich Biondi said. “To exit the stadium with eight medalists says a great deal about the dedication and desire of the Branford athletes. To watch Aidan Kropiwnicki, Nolan Scott, Matt Daley, and Marzio Mastroianni break the school record was a fitting end to a special day.”
Then on Jan. 4, the Hornets sent some athletes to compete at the 25th Hispanic Games in New York City. Branford’s 1,600 sprint medley relay team of Alexander, senior Carlos McCaay, Mastroianni, and Daley set a school record by clocking in with a time of 3:43.41 at the meet.
Girls’ Indoor Track
The Hornets were represented by a few athletes at last week’s Rhode Island Track Classic. Senior Liante Claude finished fifth in the 300-meter dash with a time of 43.77 seconds for Branford. Freshman Bella Finta came in fifth place for the freshman one-mile run by timing in with a mark of 6:31.27.
Girls’ Basketball
Branford took a loss versus Law, notched a victory over Lauralton Hall, and then dropped a contest against E.O. Smith in recent action. The Hornets now stand at 3-4 on the season.
Branford faced SCC Hammonasset Division opponent Law in the Milford Holiday Festival on Dec. 28 and lost b 51-46 at Foran High School. Law went up 9-6 after the first quarter, took a 21-16 advantage into halftime, and then held on to defeat the Hornets. Senior Sophia Araneo scored 20 points to lead Branford. Junior Karly King had 12 points, and fellow junior Isabel Mannle added eight points for the Hornets in the game.
On Jan. 4, Branford hosted Lauralton Hall and claimed a 38-36 victory over the Crusaders. The next day, the Hornets took a 57-45 loss in road game against non-conference opponent E.O. Smith.
Boys’ Basketball
The Hornets lost to Morgan in the Fred Kelly Holiday Tournament last week, after which they took a loss versus Law on the road. Branford has a record of 0-5 this year.
On Dec. 28, Branford faced Morgan in the consolation game of the Fred Kelly Tournament and dropped a 78-60 decision at North Haven High School. The Hornets had taken a loss against host North Haven in the semifinal round the previous night. In the consolation game, Morgan jumped out to a 17-8 lead after the first quarter and held a 37-22 advantage at halftime on its way to the win. Junior Kevin Baxter scored 20 points to lead the Hornets. Sophomores Tyler Jacobson and Justin Elpi netted 12 points apiece in the game.
On Jan. 5, Branford traveled to Milford to face Law and lost a 77-70 decision in its SCC Quinnipiac Division opener.
Girls’ Ice Hockey
The Branford-North Branford-Sheehan-Lyman Hall (B-NB-S-LH) girls’ ice hockey team hosted three games at DiLungo Rink last week. The Wings came away with a win, a loss, and a tie to move to 4-4-1 on the year.
The Wings started off the week by earning a 5-1 victory against Wilton-Norwalk-McMahon on Dec. 29. Sophomore Molly Donegan scored two goals in the win, while junior Sophia Caturano, and freshmen Meagan Montenaro and Maddie Montenaro netted one goal apiece for the Wings.
On Jan. 2, the Wings took an 8-3 home loss to Amity-North Haven-Cheshire. Donegan had two goals, and Caturano also scored a goal in the game.
Three days later, B-NB-S-LH battled Northwest Catholic-Mercy to a 2-2 draw at DiLungo Rink.
Boys’ Swimming and Diving
The Branford-Guilford boys’ swimming and diving team hosted Amity for a meet at the Walsh Intermediate School last week. The Hornets took a 94-66 defeat against the Spartans on Jan. 3.
Gymnastics
Sophomore Brooke Kustra competed for Branford in a meet at Daniel Hand High School in Madison last week. Kustra trains with the gymnastics team at Hand and then represents Branford by competing at the Tigers’ meets. On Jan. 3, Kustra took third place in the all-around with a score of 31.25 during Hand’s home meet versus Law.
Kustra finished in second place on the vault by scoring an 8.3 at the meet. She placed second on the beam with a score of 8.0. Kustra also competed on the bars and the floor event on her way to posting her all-around score of 31.25.
Wrestling
The Hornets hosted Guilford on Jan. 3 and dropped a 42-34 decision against the Indians. Branford moved to 6-5 on the season with the defeat.
Freshman Jace Korab earned a win by pin in the 120-pound weight class for the Hornets at the meet. Sophomore AJ Robinson won a 13-5 major decision in the 152-pound bout. Freshman Nate Mathis won on a 6-4 decision in the 170-pound division. Sophomore Spencer Lyon received a victory via forfeit at 182 pounds. Sophomore Justin Osler prevailed by pinfall in his match in the 195-pound weight class. In the 220-pound bout, junior Cody McHenry earned a 10-7 win by decision for Branford. Junior Minsok Lee claimed victory on a pin in the 285-pound bout.