In a normal year, Colt Barley would have exceeded the 100-career win plateau. This was not a normal year and yet Barley did rise to the top. The Comet senior advanced all the way to the PIAA Wrestling Championships held at the Hershey Giant Center Saturday, March 13. And while Barley did not grab gold, he did earn a coveted state medal, placing fifth.

Entering the tournament with a 21-3 record, Barley, wrestling in one of the toughest weight classes at 189, drew East Super Regional champ and the top ranked 189-pounder in the state, Joey Milano in the quarterfinals. The Spring Ford senior, coming in at 15-0, took control early, posting eight first period points in a 9-2 decision.

Barley now had to work his way through the consolation brackets. First up was a rematch against Dallastown's Brooks Gable. Barley defeated Gable 1-0 to win the District Three South Central Regional title. This time around it was just as close. After two scoreless periods, Barley's escape early in the third period proved to be the difference in another 1-0 result favoring the Comet.

"This was actually the third time Barley and Gable met this year," pointed out head coach Brandon Vernalli. "Once at the beginning of the season and then at the district finals."

The consolation semifinals were yet another rematch as Barley went up against West Champ Ethan Rossman. The Bellefonte senior defeated Barley 8-2 in the quarterfinals of the Super Regional. Tied 2-2 after two periods, Rossman pulled ahead with a takedown in the final minute and all Barley could muster was an escape in an evenly matched 4-3 loss.

In a battle for fifth place, Barley came back strong, blanking the only underclassman in the bracket, Bryce Molinaro, of Hazleton, 5-0.

"Colt finished his career in fashion," said Vernalli. "He earned an impressive 5th place finish after such a wild and crazy season and finished his career with 98 wins, just two shy of the 100 mark. Colt would have easily exceeded that mark if this were a normal, 35 match season. But, because of Covid, we were shortened to 20 matches, between duals and tournaments."

Barley caps out his career as a three-time L-L League Champ and a two-time Section Two champ. "He is also a one-time District and 2021 PIAA State 5th place finisher," said Vernalli. "Colt comes from a line of wrestling greats in both his dad and older brother Jonah. Tom, his dad, was also a 5th place state finisher," he continued. "While Jonah was a two-time finisher placing sixth and then fourth.

"I'm excited to watch Colt continue to grow as both an individual and a wrestler as he travels to Cornell to continue his academic and athletic career."

BOWLING

With their last chance to qualify for the PA State Bowling Championships, the Comets competed in the Eastern PA Regional Singles Championships Friday, March 12.

The girls, competing at Dutch Lanes, got a solid performance from Delaney Reitnauer. With a high game of 236 and a 222 in game five, Reitnauer found herself in seventh place. But bowlers outside District Three competed on Saturday and after those results, Reitnauer fell to 15th place with a 1,021 five game series. She was the second highest L-L League finisher, following N. Lebanon's Aliza Shirk who took 11th with a 1044.

Lacey Slaymaker, a sophomore rolling three games over 200, including a 233 in the final game, registered a 997 total for 19th while freshman Eva Brubaker, with a high game of 246, claimed 21st place with a 974.

Fifty girls competed in the tournament with the top eight advancing to the stepladder finals.

The boys', competing at Leisure, also fell short in extending their season. Josh Stock, despite a 256 in his final game, rolled a 1081 series and finished 22nd overall. The sophomore was the fifth highest L-L League finisher.

Rolling a 224 in his first game, Derek Warfel's 987 series earned 51st place while Charlie Hull rounded out the Comet bowlers with an 805.

"It was hard this year," said head coach Chris Vital. "They only took three teams and the top eight individuals. That made it tougher, but I felt we had a good showing from our team.

"They all seemed to get off to a slow start," he added. "In fact, all year we seemed to fight from behind and sometimes that just doesn't work.

"That was Josh's best showing in two years," the coach continued. "I hope he runs with that and continues to improve because he has the talent. And we wish Delaney all the luck in the world as she continues her academic and athletic career at Delaware State.

"I look forward to next year," Vital stated. "We have a lot of talent coming back."