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06/05/2023 04:11 PM

Branford Boys’ Tennis Falls in First Round; Outdoor Track Shines at State Meet


Girls’ Tennis

Branford girls’ tennis entered the Class M State Tournament as the No. 13 seed. In the qualifying round on May 26, they defeated No. 20 Sheehan 4-3. In the first round the next day, the Hornets faced No. 4 Suffield and took a 4-3 loss.

Girls’ Lacrosse

Branford girls’ lacrosse was the No. 11 seed in the Class M State Tournament, defeating No. 6 Joel Barlow 10-9 in the first round on May 30. On June 1, the Hornets took on No. 3 Guilford in the quarterfinal and fell 15-4.

Boys’ Tennis

Branford boys’ tennis claimed the 11th seed for the Class M State Tournament. In the first round on May 27, they faced 6th-seeded Weston and took a 7-0 loss to close out the season.

Girls’ Outdoor Track

The Branford girls’ track team competed in the SCC Championship on May 23. As a team, they claimed 13th place with 27 points. Joelle Budz took sixth in the 100 (13.48) and Sarah Nwagboli took 10th in the 200 (27.31). Gloriana Buckley claimed seventh in the 400 meters (61.26) while Lucy Moran took first in the 800 (2:15.97). Violet Marrandino finished in seventh place in the 1600 (5:34.88) and Budz took sixth in the 300 hurdles (49.54).

The 4x100 team, comprised of Chayse Gueco, Buckley, ZuZu Pont-Strong and Nwagboli took seventh place (51.80). The 4x800 team of Lila Wasiolek, Cecile Hazen, Hannah Jackson and Marrandino earned ninth place with a time of 10:44.86. Avery Clouse (4-8) took sixth in the high jump and Ella Stone (17-2) took seventh in the long jump. Lucy Moran was named to the All-SCC First Team for the 800 meters (2:15.97).

At the Class MM State Meet on June 1, the girls placed eighth as a team with 34.2 total points. Lucy Moran won the 800 (2:17.76) and the 1600 (5:05.94). Violet Marrandino claimed sixth place in the 1600 (5:35.46). The 4x400 team of Joelle Budz, Gloriana Buckley, Sarah Nwagboli and Moran took second place with a team time of 4:08.87. Avery Clouse took sixth in the high jump (4-8) while Budz took seventh in the 300 hurdles (48.54).

Buckley claimed ninth place in the 400 meters (61.52) and Budz was 13th in the 100 (13.25). Nwagboli took 13th in the 200 (27.05) while the 4x100 team of Ella Stone, Buckley, ZuZu Pont-Strong and Nwagboli took 11th place (51.48). The 4x800 team, which was comprised of Lila Wasiolek, Cecile Hazen, Hannah Jackson and Marrandino, took 10th place with a time of 10:56.20. Stone claimed 11th in the long jump (15’).

Boys’ Outdoor Track

On May 23, the Branford boys’ outdoor track team competed at the SCC Championship meet, qualifying to compete in nine events. Notable finishes included Colin Donahoe in the 800 meters (second place, 1:56.25). Drew Schwartz took first place in the javelin (171’ 9”) and seventh in the shot put (41’0.5”), Evan Bouley claimed fifth in the javelin (146’ 11”) and Ryder Kropiwnicki won the pole vault (14’ 6”). He also took eighth place in the javelin (142’ 5”). Enaji Muhammad finished in fourth in the high jump (5’ 10”).

The very next day, Cheshire High School hosted a “Last Chance” meet for athletes seeking one more chance to qualify for the State Class Meet. Ronan Hayes had a successful appearance in the discus event by throwing a personal record and State Class MM qualifying distance of 118’ 10”. Drew Schwartz was named First Team All-SCC for the javelin (171-09) and Ryder Kropiwnicki was First Team All-SCC for the pole vault (14-06).

At the Class MM State Championship meet on June 1, Branford qualified for 15 of the 18 events. Notable performances included Colin Donahoe in the 800 (tied for fourth place- 1:57.67). Ryder Kropiwnicki took sixth in the 110 Hurdles (16.07) and won the pole vault (14”0”). Drew Schwartz won the javelin (172’10” for a PR) and Enaji Muhammad claimed sixth in the high jump (5’10”). With their top 5 performances, Kropiwnicki (pole vault), Schwartz (javelin) & Donahoe (800) qualified to compete at the CIAC State Open on June 5th. Kropiwnicki and Schwartz also earned All State honors.

Boys’ Golf

Keegan LaLonde was named to the All-SCC Conference Team for his performance on the golf turf this spring.

To submit results and box scores for your team, contact sports editor Gabby Hurlbut at g.hurlbut@shorepublishing.com.