MERIDEN - In West Johnson's wrestling career at Platt High School, the 119-pounder has accomplished almost everything a high school grappler can - and then some.

On Monday night, Senior Night at Platt, with the Panthers facing Vinal Tech, Johnson became the winningest wrestler in the program's storied history.

"I'm obviously it means a lot to me," Johnson said. "It's a big accomplishment, one of the biggest you can accomplish for Platt wrestling. I knew it was going to happen. It was exciting when I finally did."

The record win came by forfeit. It's one of the few freebies he's had. Johnson's career record is 154-19. So far this season, he's 29-0 so far this season.

Veteran Platt coach Bryan McCarty counts Johnson among the five best wrestlers ever at Platt High School.

"He's tough," McCarty said. "He's just a tough kid. His technique has gotten a lot better through the years and he seems very motivated. He has goals that he wants to accomplish. He wants the state title and to be one of the top 2 or 3 in New England."

Johnson, an All-American in his sophomore season, surpassed another former Platt great, Luis Murillo Jr., who graduated in 2002 with a 153 wins and a State Open championship.

"It's feels good that I will be remembered for years to come," Johnson said. "I just hope I can accomplish everything I want to this year in the postseason."

That would mean a State Open championship, the acme for a Connecticut high school wrestler. Johnson, Class M champ at 103 as a sophomore and Class L champ at 112 last year as a junior, placed second at the State Open in each of the past two seasons.

Nationally, Johnson was the eighth best wrestler in a crop of 60 of the country's best grapplers in the 103-pound weight class in the summer of his sophomore season in a competition in Virginia Beach, Va.

Although Johnson's historic win Monday night was a little anticlimactic because it came on a forfeit, it did arrive on an emotional Senior Night for 10 seniors who comprise arguably the most talented class McCarty has had.

"Collectively, they have the numbers," McCarty said. "They are 10 solid seniors with a standout (Johnson). We've had teams with a few standouts, but having 10 very talented wrestlers is nice."

The Panthers have been consistently ranked in the state coaches' top 10 poll this season. Overall, they are 21-3.

"We're having a wonderful season," McCarty said. "All three losses were tough. We lost a coin toss against (Bristol) Central, Waterford and Hand. We're right there. All of those losses came down to the last match."

McCarty said he expects his team to be among the top five at the CIAC Class L championship tournament in two weeks. The other leading contenders in Class L are Fairfield Warde, Bristol Central, Hand and New Milford. Warde, currently undefeated, is the current front-runner for the crown.

The Panthers are no stranger to postseason success. Two years ago, they finished fifth in Class M. They were third in the same classification in 1995. Platt's best state showing came in 1989: second in Class S.

"There might be some history on our side," McCarty said. "Twenty years ago we placed second. I was on that team. (Platt 103-pounder) Ryan Smith's dad was my coach - Dan Smith. He's a good guy. That team was the opposite of ours. We had eight guys, and five of them were studs. I wasn't one of them. Two won titles in that tournament."

McCarty said he gives his team wrestling history lessons all the time.

"They know the history of the sport and I let them know about it," McCarty said. "For most of these seniors, they were a part of that team two years ago that placed very well. This group has had a lot of success. Three years in a row with 20-plus wins: not too many in the state have done that."

This year, the veteran coach believes he could have as many as five class champions, led by the two-time champ Johnson.

Others who will be challenging for Class L titles are Nick Murillo (189) and Matt Rahman (171). Murillo (108) and Rahman (115) are members of the Platt's 100-win club along with Johnson.

Seniors Nik Moreshi (130) and Kevin Koenig (160) could go deep into the brackets at the Feb. 20-21 tournament at Bristol Central.

Other seniors having standout seasons for the Panthers are first-year varsity wrestler Roy Perez, who has accumulated a 23-6 record at 215, as well as D.J. Riberio (152, 15-2), John Gordils (140, 12 wins), Joe Winoski (heavyweight, 17-1) and Smith (103, 19-3). Junior Erik Francks (125, 20-6) has also been a key contributor.