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01/25/2020 11:00 PMOne year after winning its first SCC Division B title, the Branford wrestling team is continuing to see success on the mats this winter. The Hornets improved their dual-meet record to 16-1 by earning a 42-30 home win versus crosstown rival East Haven last week, after which they took first place at the Shoreline Scuffle for the third time in the last five years.
Branford tied the program record for victories in a season by posting a record of 19-10 in 2019. With two weeks left in the 2020 regular season, Head Coach Jesse Hurlburt’s squad is looking to top that mark before all is said and done.
“The key to our success comes from our attitude on and off the mat, believing in what we do in practice, ourselves, and each other,” said Hurlburt. “It’s about building a program around the kids and this family.”
Branford was victorious in seven of the 14 bouts on the night when it defeated East Haven on Jan. 22. Sophomore Jace Korab prevailed by pin at the 4:58 mark of his 120-pound bout for Branford. Also winning via pinfall were junior Peyton Tracy at 145 pounds (2:30 mark), junior Spencer Lyon at 152 pounds (1:44), junior captain AJ Robinson at 160 pounds (1:06), junior captain Justin Osler at 182 pounds (0:45), senior captain Cody McHenry at 195 pounds (1:15), and senior captain Minsok Lee at 285 pounds (2:54).
The Hornets went on to crown four individual champions when they hosted the Shoreline Scuffle at Branford High School on Jan. 25. Sophomore Patrick Zdunek (132 pounds), Osler (182), McHenry (195), and Lee (285) were all victorious in their respective weight classes to help Branford take the team title. Junior Anthony LaFogg was the runner-up at 170 pounds, Robinson finished third in the 160-pound division, and freshman Drew Schwartz placed third at 182 pounds.
“We wrestled an amazing tournament, earning bonus points in almost every match of the day, which led to our success,” Coach Hurlburt said. “When we’re able to earn a major [decision] or better, it puts us in a better position.”
McHenry and Osler are both unbeaten on the season, while Lee has already defeated two returning State Open placers in the heavyweight division. Branford is getting contributions from plenty of other wrestlers this year. Freshmen Jake Elpi and Carter Burgess, sophomore Korab, and junior Luke Volpe have all played key roles in helping Hornets carry over their momentum from last year.
“We tried to keep the feel for this season the same. Last year was great and a standout performance for sure, but we started off our season the same way we always do—with individual and team goal setting,” Hurlburt said. “We focus a lot of the mindset of what it means to be a champion on and off the mat. We obviously wanted to win the [SCC A] division, but for us as a team, we wanted to be better as individuals to help each other succeed.”
It’s certainly a challenge for the Hornets to sustain the success that they’ve seen in recent seasons. However, Coach Hurlburt knows that everyone affiliated who’s with Branford wrestling is dedicated to building something special. Hurlburt notes the team wouldn’t be where it is without the support of the parents, its booster club, and the top-notch program at Walsh Intermediate School, as well as his coaching staff of fellow program alums Dan DiBisceglie and Matt Castelot. Hurlburt also appreciates that Mike Tracy, the father of junior Peyton Tracy, videotapes all of the Hornets’ matches, so their athletes have a chance to review the tape and improve in the areas they need to.
“Our culture is the backbone of this program, and it stems from the middle school up,” Hurlburt said. “We believe in hard work every day and learning from every misstep. We are a big family and pride ourselves on cheering on our teammates and pushing one another in the practice room. We have a saying, ‘Alone you are strong, but together we are unstoppable,’ and that really drives our program and kids.”
Regular-season success is one thing, but legacies are forged during the postseason. The Hornets have their sights set on some big individual and team goals for the upcoming postseason meets. Coach Hurlburt said that Branford is looking for a top-three finish at the Southern Connecticut Conference Championship, a top-five performance in the Class M State Championship, and a top-20 showing at the State Open.
While the bar has been set high, Hurlburt knows that the process of accomplishing these goals is just as important as the final result.
“It sounds cliché, but the old adage that, ‘It’s about the journey, not the destination,’ is a big push for us,” said Hurlburt. “We’re looking at every win and loss on the year as a place to learn.”