Shelton's Gillen Sets State Wrestling Record

It took less than a minute Friday for Shelton's Pat Gillen to make Connecticut state wrestling history.

The Virginia-bound Gillen needed just 35 seconds to defeat Florida's Brandon Lustgarten in his first-round match in the 215-pound division at the high school wrestling national championships in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

With the victory, which came on a technical fall, Gillen became the winningest high school wrestler in Connecticut state history.

It was the 201st career match win for Gillen, breaking a tie with Ledyard's  T.J. Hepburn, who set the mark from 2004-07.

Gillen  improved to 50-0 this season. He will be back in action on Saturday in the second round against Georgia's Michael Chapman.

Last year in the junior division, Gillen finished seventh in the nationals, losing to the 215-pound national champ, Joe Stolfi of Pennsylvania, 5-3.