Boys’ Outdoor Track

Led by another record-setting performance by high jumper Enaji Muhammad, the Branford boys’ outdoor track team finished eighth at the SCC West Sectional meet on May 14 in New Haven.

Muhammad broke his own high jump record when he cleared 6’8” in the event, finishing second. He holds the school record for that event. He also finished fifth in the triple jump (41’) and eighth in the long jump (19’8.5”). As a result of those performances, Muhammad advanced in all three events to the SCC Championship meet on Tuesday, May 21 at Amity High School.

Branford will send five individual athletes and two relays to the SCC Championship. In the javelin, junior Tyler Peterson (135’3”) finished fourth, and Scott Penner (126’8”) finished ninth. Both advanced to the championship meet, as did Noah Hauswirth in the 1600 meter (5:01.24) and 3200 meter (10:41.57) races. Additionally, junior Justyn Velasquez finished sixth in the 300 meter hurdles (45:77) to advance. The team’s 4x800 and 4x400 relays also advanced to the SCC Championships.

“Despite finishing eighth, we had some good performances today, especially Enaji who is bringing things to a new level, even for him, now that championship season is underway,” Head Coach Bing Miller said. “What’s exciting is that one of the best high jumpers in New England is from Hillhouse, and Enaji has the opportunity to compete head-to-head against him throughout the year. I’m excited to see how far he can take it.”

Miller said he was also pleased with the performance of the javelin throwers, Peterson and Penner, both of whom had personal best throws at the meet. Peterson qualified for the state Class MM meet with his performance.

Softball

On May 13, the Branford softball team traveled to Mercy and took a 5-2 loss. Sophia Rasile and Madigan Lawler each drove in a run, and Shelby Burnham recorded two hits, including a triple. Burnham also pitched six innings and gave up three hits and three earned runs. She also recorded five strikeouts.

The next day, the team hosted Stonington and fell 10-2. Lawler drove in both runs for the Hornets, and Payton Paleski and Cheyenne Rose also got a hit apiece. Burnham threw 5.1 innings and gave up five hits and two earned runs while striking out 11. Tatum Lipka then 1.2 innings in relief, giving up three hits and four earned runs while striking out one.

The Hornets closed out the week at Daniel Hand on May 15 and lost lost 9-2.

Girls’ Outdoor Track

The Branford girls’ outdoor track team competed at the SCC West Sectional meet on May 14 and took fourth place with 71 points.

Joelle Budz took first place in the 300 hurdles (46.39). Lucy Moran won the 800 meters (2:20.71), and in the 1600, Moran took first (4:59.65) and Violet Marrandino took ninth (5:43.77). Avery Clouse took second place in the high jump (4’10”). In the triple jump, Ella Stone took third place (34’10”), ZuZu Pont Strong came in ninth (32’4.75”), and Clouse took 13th (30’6.25”).

The 4x400 relay team, comprised of Budz, Djamilla Toukour, Cheyenne Wilson, and Moran, took third place with a time of 4:16.08. Budz also claimed fourth place in the 200 (26.69). In the javelin, Zayna Cella took fifth place (82’1”), while Saloni Shrestha earned a competitive throw of 68’3”. The 4x100 team of Pont Strong, Toukour, Wilson, and Stone, claimed fifth place with a time of 51.88. The 4x800 team (Olivia Vernon, Cecile Hazen, Stella Andresen, and Marrandino) took fifth place (11:01.12).

In the long jump, Stone took sixth place (17’5”) and Pont Strong took 17th (15’4.7, 5”). In the discus, Wilson took eighth place (80’) and Cella took 10th (75’2”). Toukour came in 13th in the 100 (13.71).

“This was a small group we brought to the sectional meet (15 athletes), and 12 qualified for the SCC Championships,” said Head Coach Kevin Connell. “This group covers a wide range of events, and we will be well-represented. Our top athletes really exhibited the talent we've been watching all season. Lucy won two extremely close races, and Joelle had a laser focus at this meet (300 hurdles and 200). Ella Stone had a terrific day in the long and triple jump with personal records (PRs) in both events. Avery has been steady in the high jump since indoors. I am excited that all three relay teams qualified - it's a great reflection on the team we have.”