Brandon Lustgarten from the Wellington Wrestling Club captured the championship medal at the Super 32 Qualifier Wrestling Tournament last weekend at Osceola High School.

Lustgarten, a senior at Wellington High School, won the title in the 218-pound weight class.

“Brandon was a state qualifier himself last season so we knew he could compete at this level,” said Wellington Wrestling Club coach Travis Gray, who was thrilled about Lustgarten’s first place finish. “He is actually the first Super 32 qualifier Wellington has had since this tournament began back in 2000.”

The qualifying tournament featured more than 200 wrestlers from around the country who were planning on placing in the top four to qualify for the Super 32 Challenge in October at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.

The Super 32 Challenge is the premier preseason national wrestling tournament. Last year, the Super 32 featured more than 200 state champions, which is an average of 14 per weight class.

Gray said the Wellington Wrestling Club brought six wrestlers up and Lustgarten was the lone wrestler to place in the top four. There were also two other place winners from Palm Beach County, as Jupiter’s Brian Radlii placed second at 115 pounds and Bryce Giangenelli placed third at 288 pounds.

“Brandon’s goal this year is to be a state champion and he is seeking out the best competition he can to make that dream come true,” Gray said. “He went 1-2 last year at state, but there is only one returning wrestler at his weight that finished ahead of him last year because the rest graduated.”

On his way to the finals, Lustgarten defeated two 2009 Florida High School Athletic Association State Qualifiers, while defeating his opponent in the finals by a 4-2 margin in a match that was won by a takedown in overtime.

The Wellington Wrestling Club currently meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Village Park of Wellington. Held for middle and high school students, the program is looking to add its kids’ league for grades kindergarten through eighth grade in November.

For information or to register, contact or call 561-827-8595.

Basketball coaches being sought for travel program

The Wellington Travel Basketball Association is accepting applications for basketball coaches for its boys and girls travel programs.

The travel program consists of third through 11th grade boys and girls travel teams, which compete in Amateur Athletic Union and United States Specialty Sports Association local, regional, state and national tournaments.

There is a tryout process that will start the second week of November to select the travel teams which they would take part in. Team practices begin the first week of December and run twice a week.

The games begin the first weekend in January and the season concludes at the end of July.

“We are seeking fun, dynamic, responsible role-models to provide instruction and coaching in basketball,” said Wellington Travel Basketball Association president Chris Fratalia. “Potential coaches should possess the ability to help players grow both athletically and academically, and the ability to employ different coaching and motivational strategies to meet the needs of all players.”

Applicants should have a strong basketball background-travel experience is a plus-and you must enjoy working with kids.

Fratalia said the potential coaches also need the ability to collaborate and work effectively as a member of a team.

“Our goal is that each travel team has one head coach and two assistant coaches,” Fratalia said. “They also need to effectively relate to players, parents and fellow coaches.”

Fratalia and company will be looking to have coaches in place by Oct. 15. Call Fratalia at 561-252-9530 for information.