New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Branford wins first title
EAST HAVEN — There was no true favorite to take home the Class M wrestling title. Timing and circumstance found few wrestlers returning from the 2020 divisional championship. There were no class matches in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the door was left ajar it was Branford that stepped across the championship threshold.
Branford placed 11 wrestlers, including four champions, to finish with 261.5 points. It took that type of team effort, according to Branford coach Kevin Kapushinski, to get past Foran (226.5), Berlin (155.5) and RHAM (150.5).
“It is what had to be done,” said Kapushinski, who led the Hornets to their first-ever state title. “It takes a bunch of workhorses, wrestlers that go out and win the next match. We told ourselves every day that we were going to win states.”
Branford senior Patrick Zdunek helped ensure the end result.
“It was exactly what I expected,” Zdunek said, after getting the last points in the final seconds to secure an 8-5 victory over RHAM’s Jeremy Devine in the 160-pound final “It was war. I knew he was coming after me (down 6-5) and I couldn’t back up. This (title) is why I put four years into wrestling. To win a title and help my team win a title is 10 times better than winning the lottery.”
Jace Korab (138), Cole Snider (170) and Nate Mathis (195) also won titles for Branford. Drew Schwartz was second at 220.
Foran has finished first or second in eight consecutive divisional meets, winning titles in 2016 and 2018.
“We wrestled the best we can. We have 11 wrestlers in the top five, which we’ve never done before. They just did better,” Foran coach Dave Esposito said of Branford. “I’m proud of how we competed.”
Foran’s Antonio Madero scored a 12-0 major decision to win the title at 120 pounds. “I like to work in some advanced moves,” the junior said of putting foes in trouble. “I like to get on top and then not let them breathe (come back).” Madero was a fourth-place finisher at 113 pounds in 2020.
RHAM’s Zach Kanaitis, the 120-pound champ in 2020, posted his 100th career win when the senior won a 12-0 major decision in his 138-pound semifinal.
Plainville and Bunnell each had three finalists with Plainville’s Joe Kennedy at 145, Alexander Santini at 182 and heavyweight Jeff Quirion La Oz taking home gold medals. Bunnell’s Brandon Toscano was first at 220 pounds, while Nickolas DeManche at 195 and Ryan McLaughlin at 170 took seconds.
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Barlow’s Scott Romano didn’t cruise but did control his way to placing first at 132 pounds. “I was hoping for something like this, but you can’t plan for it,” said Romano, who brought a 31-6 record into states. “I feel good on top. I try to be smart with the riding.”