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01/21/2024 10:39 PMGirls’ Ice Hockey
The Hand girls’ ice hockey co-op team hosted Amity/Cheshire/North Haven on Jan. 10 and won 6-2. Faith Minickene had three goals and one assist, while Kendall Dobratz had one goal and one assist. Jaime DiNapoli contributed with two goals and one assist, and Taylor Manchanda had one goal and one assist. Raegan Wyrebek-Brasky also added one assist.
The team then played host to Woodstock Academy Co-op on Jan. 12 and won 7-3. Minickene had four goals and one assist, and Dobratz had two goals. DiNapoli had one goal and one assist, while Alexa Spaniotis added two assists.
The next day, the team rounded out the week with a 3-2 overtime win at home vs. Southington. Wyrebek-Brasky scored two goals, including the overtime goal. Dobratz added one goal and one assist, and Minickene had two assists.
Boys’ Indoor Track
The Branford boys’ indoor track team competed at the Yale Classic on Jan. 13. Enaji Muhammad placed third in the high jump (6’4) and qualified for states in the long jump (19’3.50). Peter Distasio recorded a state qualifying time of 38.87 in the 300 meters, Noal Weted qualified for states in the 600 meters, recording a time of 1:34.03.
“Overall, the sprinter group performed well at Yale. As a unit, they have trained hard, and their commitment and diligence is paying off in the meets,” said Head Coach Rich Biondi. “That group, Rhamil Fairclough, Justyn Velasquez, Supreme Shrestha, Tyler Peterson, Ryan Andrus, and Charlie Budz, all established personal bests in their respective events. Peter Distasio has the ability to qualify for states in every sprinting event, as well as the relays. Peter is talented and strong, and he is beginning to stand out in competition. Nolan Weted has been on the team for three years. Early in the season, he established the goal of qualifying for states. To witness his excitement once he qualified in the 600 meters represents how important a role high school athletics can play in the development of high school students. I am very proud of Nolan. Lastly, Enaji's performance in the high jump is the second best jump in the 50-year history of the track and field program. Enaji views himself as a stellar high jump jumper, with aspirations of competing at Nationals in March. He is that talented, and he has been a role model to the younger athletes on the squad.”
Girls’ Basketball
Branford girls’ basketball hosted North Haven on Jan. 17 and lost 62-47.
Two days later, the team played host to East Haven and took a 49-43 defeat in a hard-fought contest. Shelby Burnham was in double digits with 18 points, and Jess Radziunas followed with 11 points. Other point scorers included Ally Colburn (eight points), and Reanna Sachs (six points).
Girls’ Indoor Track
The Branford girls’ indoor track team competed in the SCC Coaches Invitational at Floyd Little Athletic Center on Jan. 20. Cecile Hazen recorded a time of 11.68 in the 55 meter hurdles, and in the 55 meters, Chayse Gueco ran to a time of 8.04, and Djamilla Toukour ran a time of 8:21. Glorianna Buckley placed 11th in the 300 (44.45), while Toukour ran that event in 48.06, and Maddie Aguilar ran the race in 49.60. Avery Clouse and Ella Stone performed well in the high jump (4’6“), and Stone (15’4”) and Clouse (13’5“) also had standout performances in the long jump. Kimberley Carracondo (12’3.5”) also stood out in the long jump.
“We got some great efforts from Glorianna Buckley today, she had personal bests in both the 300 and 600m,” said Head Coach Kevin Connell after the meet. “She is the embodiment of hard work and determination. She always goes into a race with a great plan, and follows it.”