Hornet Football Players Pulling Weight at Lifting Competition

The Branford High School football team may have endured a difficult season last year, but they are primed to rebound in the fall. Most recently, the team competed in a weight-lifting competition with three other area schools and came out on top.

The football players, all of whom participate in the team's off season conditioning program, out lifted West Haven, Guilford, and Daniel Hand high schools.  The competition was held Guilford High School and each athlete took part in a bench press, squats, and clean lifts. The results are based on lifting a maximum weight for at least one repetition. In all, the Hornets lifted more than 12,000 pounds combined during the competition.

"This was the first time the kids got to compete in the 2011 season and were happy with the results," Coach Mike Tracy said. "However it’s just a stepping stone to where we need to get because it needs to translate to the field."

Athletes were divided into five different weight classes.

In the under 160 pound weight class Chris Rice, Alex Altermatt, and Teddy Brereton lifted 2,315 pounds.

In the 161-180 pound weight class, DJ Fisher, Justin Blood, Andrew Cohen, Jake Emory and James Madelung lifted a total of 2,305 pounds.

In the 181-200 pound weight class, Alex Borkowski, Andy Crotty, Brandon Milligan, Bobby Tuelings, and Jay Meriano lifted a total of 2,300 pounds.

In the 201-220 pound weight class, Nick Pataky, Sean Brosnan, Austin Fries, and Ogun Kura lifted a total of 2,505 pounds.

In the over 220 pound weight class, Justin Pellazza, Mark Williams, Anthony Jones, and Jarret Levesh lifted a total of 2,560 pounds.

The team has worked hard in the weight room this offseason, and Tracy said he's looking forward to spring practice, which starts in June. "I am very please with effort thus far in our off season work-outs," Tracy said

Tracy said the team has also selected selected captains for the 2011 season.  Brosnan, Altermatt, and Teulings will share the captain duties for the Hornets next year.  Brosnan plays offensive and defensive line, Altermatt plays running back and free safety, and Teulings plays offensive line and linebacker. The trio is hoping to help the team improve upon the 2010 season, when the Hornets finished 2-8.

Walsh Intermediate Basketball Wraps Up Season

Both the boys' and girls' basketball teams at WIS finished up their seasons recently. On the boys' side, Steve Narracci's energetic and active squad struggled a bit to win consistently. However, Narracci said he's hoping his players continue to improve as they move on to the high school next year. "The results weren't always what we wanted," Narracci said. "But there was some improvement and we'll sit down with the players to over ways to get them to the  next level."

The 8th graders on the team were: Colin Tracy, Griffin Pierson, Mike Potter, Ben LaCroix, Joe Carbone, Dalton Erickson, Ryan Connell, Gerald DeLise, and Dan Driscoll.

Girls' coach Paul Freund, the winningest coach in WIS girls' hoops history, said he saw was encouraged by how the team worked this year. "Despite all the interruptions to the season from this winter's snows, the girls did show some significant improvement during the season," Freund said.

The 8th graders on the team were: Ellery Riccio, Megan Shea, Claire Benevento, Robin Norko, Teagan Mockus, Michaela Spinello, Elena Milone, Katelin Rowe, Corrine Daley, Jessica Lohret, Karlee Kessler, and Jordyn Brecciaroli.