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02/22/2020 11:00 PMOn the heels of its all-time top finish at the SCC Championship, the Branford wrestling put team together another historic performance when the Hornets competed at the Class M State Championship last weekend. Branford posted its best showing at states in program history with a fourth-place finish at Guilford High School, headlined by a victory from junior Justin Osler in the 182-pound weight class, as well as five other medal-winning performances by the Hornets’ grapplers. The Hornets, who had placed third at SCCs, scored 163 points to finish fourth among the 25 teams that competed at the Class M meet, which took place on Feb. 21 and 22.
Branford saw every one of its athletes who wrestled at states win at least one match, marking the first time that happened in team history. The Hornets also tied a program record by virtue of the six wrestlers who garnered medals at the meet.
“This team has accomplished a lot and continues to impress the coaching staff,” Head Coach Hurlburt said. “This season has been about heart and family. These kids work hard every day and push each other to be the best they can be.”
One week after winning his second-straight SCC title, Osler took first place in the 182-pound division at the Class M State Championship. Osler became the eighth wrestler in Branford history to capture a state crown and also recorded his 100th career victory during the tournament, becoming the first junior in team history to accomplish that feat.
Osler pinned all four of his opponents in the first round on his way to winning the state title at 182 pounds. Osler started his run by pinning Brian Angulo of Bethel via pinfall just 1:19 into their round-of-16 bout. In the quarterfinals, Osler pinned Charles Gallardo from Weston at the 1:59 mark to advance to the semis.
Osler went up against James Duhancik of Stratford in the semifinal round and prevailed via pinfall just 46 seconds into the contest. In the championship bout, Osler took on Jackson Harshberger from Waterford. Osler pinned Harshberger at the 1:24 mark to take the state championship for the 182-pound weight class.
Senior Minsok Lee earned runner-up honors the 285-pound division by finishing second at the Class M meet, resulting in his all-time best performance at states. Lee now has the sixth-most victories in team history with 112 for his career.
Lee won his first match by pin in 23 seconds, won his quarterfinal contest on a 4-0 decision, and then notched a 4-3 decision victory against Patrick Rescsanski from Foran in the semifinals. Lee lost an 8-1 decision to Luke Fuerstenberg in the final to come in second place.
Junior AJ Robinson secured his first career medal with a third-place finish in the 160-pound weight class for Branford. Robinson pinned his first two opponents and then lost a decision in the semifinal round, sending him to the consolation bracket. Robinson won via pinfall in the consolation semis and then pinned Gavin White of Ellis Tech at the 4:25 mark of the consolation final to take third place.
Senior Cody McHenry finished fifth in the 195-pound division at states. McHenry won his first two matchups on pins and then lost by a decision in the semifinals. McHenry lost his consolation semifinal match by pin and then faced Morgan Haskett of Bethel in the fifth-place bout. McHenry grinded out a 2-1 decision over Hackett to medal at states for the third-straight campaign, becoming the fifth athlete in team history to do so.
McHenry, who had placed first in the 195-pound weight class at the SCC meet previous week, added to his school-record win total with his three victories at states. McHenry now has 137 victories for his high school career.
Sophomore Jace Korab finished fifth in the 120-pound weight class, while fellow sophomore Patrick Zdunek took fifth place at 132 pounds at the Class M meet. Only six Hornets’ athletes had earned state medals as sophomores before Korab and Zdunek.
Korab won his first match by decision and lost a decision in his quarterfinal contest. Korab pinned his first opponent in the consolation bracket, then lost a 1-0 decision in the semifinals. Korab came back by winning a 4-2 decision versus Luke Plano from Suffield-Windsor Locks in the fifth-place duel.
Zdunek pinned his first opponent and then lost a major decision in the quarterfinal round. Zdunek started off the consolation bracket with a pinfall win, then lost on a pin in the semis. In the fifth-place match, Zdunek won a 12-4 major decision against Devin Hanelius of RHAM to collect his medal.
Osler, Lee, Robinson, McHenry, Korab, and Zdunek have advanced to compete at the State Open Championship this weekend. The Open takes place at Floyd Little Athletic Center on Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, Feb. 29.
Branford saw several other wrestlers earn victories at the Class M State Championship. Freshman Jake Elpi won a match via major decision in the 103-pound weight class. Fellow freshman Carter Burgess claimed a pair of pinfall victories in the 113-pound division for the Hornets.
Sophomore Josh Berdon earned a win by pin in the 126-pound bracket. Fellow sophomore Inderpreet Behal won one match on a pin and another by decision at 138 pounds.
Junior Peyton Tracy notched a victory via pinfall in the 145-pound weight class. Junior Spencer Lyon won two contests on pins in the 152-pound division, while fellow junior Anthony LaFogg recorded a victory by decision and another on a pin at 170 pounds. Sophomore Nate Mathis earned a pinfall victory in the 220-pound weight class for Branford.