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01/01/2015 11:00 PMJunior Dakota Carden set a Branford wrestling record when he notched his 38
th
consecutive victory by pinning Cheshire’s Austin Ingarra at the 2:23 mark of their bout in the 195-pound weight class when the Hornets posted a 51-12 home win over the Rams on Dec. 29.
Carden—who improved to 11-0 on the campaign—eclipsed the mark that had previously been set by Mike VonAllmen during the 2000 and 2001 winter seasons. VonAllmen was a state champion at 189 in his senior year. Carden has typically been wrestling in the 182 class this season, but was bumped up to 195 for the win versus Cheshire that improved Branford to 6-2.
“It means that all my hard work and dedication has paid off and that the team has worked really hard and started the season off great,” Carden said. “It’s something that came out of the woodwork. I’m not really into breaking all the records. I just try to beat my opponent to help give the team a win.”
Additionally for the Hornets in the Cheshire triumph, Bijaya Jaisi won by pin in 43 seconds in the 106 class, Noah Pantani prevailed via a 9-7 decision at 113, Zach Cash was a pinfall winner in 3:28 for his 132-pound duel, Jordan Botte took a 12-0 majority decision at 138, Dalton Carden won via forfeit at 145, Nick Temple edged his foe 6-5 at 152, Cameron O’Neill earned a 15-0 win via technical fall in the 160 division, Tikee Whitfield was triumphant by way of a 6-1 decision at 170, Alex Rasmus won a 4-2 decision at 220, and HyunJin Lim pinned his opponent in just 30 seconds in the 285-pound class.
Coach Chris Bonagiuso was pleased that his team posted a lopsided win versus the Rams and, of course, that Carden spurred the victory by making Hornets’ history.
“Dakota is in a select group of wrestlers who have represented Branford and, since he came to Branford High School after going to Xavier his freshman year, he has not lost a match,” said Bonagiuso, whose team had previously won the Derby Tournament for the second straight season. “Dakota is on an incredible streak and I hope he keeps it going. It’s been fun to watch. Dakota has wrestled some tremendous wrestlers during his streak. Four or five of them have medaled at the State Open and he’s beat each one.”