Heading into the final week of the season, the wrestling team at West Hartford’s Conard High School has a 16-5 record.

Conard wrestling. Courtesy photo

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Conard High School’s wrestling team continued its successful season on Wednesday night at Bristol Central, defeating the Rams 40-25. The team’s overall record is 16-5. Its league record now stands at 4-1, second place in the West Division of the Central Connecticut Conference (CCC). Next week, Conard will host crosstown rival Hall High School for their final dual of the regular season.

The team is led by seniors (and multi-year captains) Armen Arakelian (120 pounds), Brooks McMahon (175), and Braydon Sohn (190). All are ranked among the top wrestlers in the state by CONNWRESTLING: Arakelian at 12, McMahon at 10, and Sohn at 16.

Conard wrestling captains. Courtesy photo

In the 144-pound weight class, standout sophomore Harry Marino is ranked first in the state and third in New England. In recent weeks, Marino won the Greater Hartford Open, Sohn took second, and McMahon third. This past weekend, McMahon placed second at the CT Challenge. The other three were out due to illness or injury.

Additionally, juniors Santiago Garcia (106) and Owen Holmes (215) have provided a strong presence in their weight classes and are ranked 22nd and 14th in the state, respectively. Garcia placed fifth at the CT Challenge and Holmes fourth. Senior Michaela Santiago is the varsity team’s wrestler at 113 pounds. Typically facing off against boys on the mat, she is ranked 13th in the pound-for-pound rankings for Connecticut High School girls.

Conard wrestling. Courtesy photo

In his seventh year, head coach Gary Alford noted that “this year’s team is a special group of kids. They’ve worked hard as a group, not only this season, but over the past three years. Our senior captains are creating an atmosphere and a culture where the other student-athletes want to push each other daily to become better wrestlers and better people.”

He added that the team has a “great group” of younger athletes as well. “Our JV wrestlers have been asked to step up to varsity status in many matches this season to fill in spots for sick or injured varsity wrestlers. They’ve done an amazing job, contributing to a successful season. They work hard day in and day out, through the grind of wrestling practices and a tough schedule.”

Conard wrestling. Courtesy photo

Perhaps the clearest sign of success this year comes from Conard defeating Simsbury, 51-27. It was the only time one of Alford’s teams defeated the Trojans during his tenure as head coach. Before this year, Simsbury had not lost a regular-season dual to a CCC West Division team since the 2018-2019 season.

Alford also highlighted his “incredible coaching staff.” Those coaches “give so much of their time and effort to support our wrestlers. These young student-athletes are lucky to have them in their corner.”

Conard wrestling. Courtesy photo

This weekend, the varsity team will travel to Plainville for the Central Connecticut Conference tournament. The JV team travels to Fairfield Ludlowe High School for a tournament there. And the four female wrestlers will participate in the Queen of the Mat tournament at Foran High School in Milford.

Conard wrestling. Courtesy photo

Conard wrestling. Courtesy photo

Conard wrestling. Courtesy photo

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