Penn Manor's Jesse Shue fired a four-over-par 75 to lead the Comets to a third-place finish in the Lancaster-Lebanon League championships held at Fairview Golf Course Monday, Sept. 26.

Shue was just two strokes ahead of teammate JP Radwanski, who tied for 7th with a 77. Seb Elias followed just as closely, finishing in a 3-way tie with 79 while Aidan Doyle's 80 rounded out the top four counters and left the Comets with a 311 team total, just behind Manheim Township (306) and tourney winner Cedar Crest (300). All four will compete in the District Three Championship at Briarwood October 7-8.

"We actually did better today than in our season where we averaged 328.6 as a team," noted head coach Tom Reustle. "But I'm not surprised. We have been so close all season and just couldn't put that complete round together. Hopefully, we are beginning to peak at the right time."

Brayden Souder, with an 81, will be an alternate for districts. Cole Beakes also competed and finished with an 86.

BOYS' SOCCER

The boys' soccer team secured a much-needed 2-1 victory at York Country Day Saturday, Sept. 24 before returning to Section One play opposite McCaskey last Tuesday as the second half of the season got underway.

George Backus scored on a header in the 23rd minute while Tyler Hostetter, assisted by Owen Leddy, scored on a well-placed shot.

"We picked up YCD in hopes of strengthening our schedule and district power ranking," said head coach Paul Taylor. "I'm glad we got the win. George, Tyler, and Owen, along with Peyton Landis and Wyatt Hopstetter all played very well."

After suffering a 3-0 loss the first time around, McCaskey was determined to turn things around and hung a 2-0 loss on the Comets (3-8-0 overall) last Tuesday in Lancaster.

TENNIS

The tennis team improved to 4-3 in Section One with a convincing 6-1 win over Ephrata last Monday, Sept. 26. Catherine Rabatin and Erin Shipley took No. 1 doubles quickly (8-1), while Autumn Kirkley and Daphne Eisenhauer battled to an 8-6 win at the third tandem.

Manor cruised through singles with clean sweep victories by Rabatin (6-0, 6-0), Haley Hutchinson (6-1, 6-4), Shipley (6-2, 6-3) and Kirkley (6-1, 6-3).

"It's been exciting to have everyone collectively contribute to these wins," said head coach Amanda Pryzbylkowski. "Tennis is a short season so most of the work goes on in the off-season and that's up to them. They've all really stepped up this year."

The girls were coming off a 4-3 loss against Hempfield on Friday, Sept. 23. Rabatin and Shipley won 8-5 while Kirkley and Eisenhauer pulled out a 9-8 (7-0) nailbiter at No. 3 for a 2-1 edge after doubles. But the Knights rose to the occasion, winning three of four singles to steal the victory. Rabatin spoiled their sweep with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Sophie Carson.

CROSS COUNTRY

In tri-meet action Tuesday, Sept. 27, the Comets posted mixed results topping Lebanon 21-28 but falling short against Warwick, 22-36.

Kaleb Kabakjian turned in a 17:13 victory to pace the pack. Tristan Weaver (6th), and Carter Vinson (9th) both broke into the top ten while Jack Hightower (11th) was just off the mark. Donovan Landis (17th) rounded out the top five counters with Jack Steele (19th), Aidan Gerlach (20th) and Chase Bearden (21st) providing support.

"Kaleb had another top performance, earning his second overall win," noted head coach Andrea Kramer.

The girls' team got a second-place effort from Abby Ames (21:05) but it wasn't enough for a sweep. The Comets blanked Lebanon 15-50 and lost 22-39 to Warwick.

Kenzie Nafziger was fourth overall with Bethany Hetrick adding a top ten finish in 23:36. Madison Martin (11th) and Alyssa Eby (14th) accounted for the scoring. Polina Balkenhol (15th), Zoe King (16th) and Charity Hetrick (19th) all finished in the top 20.

VOLLEYBALL

With a total team effort, the Comets handled Warwick (25-17, 25-15, 25-9) Thursday, Sept. 22 and then dominated McCaskey (25-10, 25-11, 25-19) on the 27th for their fifth win of the season.

"Jordan Bailey (17 digs) and Janelle Bowmaster (9 digs) handled the bulk of our serve receive and their passing was the rock solid foundation of our offense," praised head coach Tim Joyce. "Maya Sugra, Mackenzie Cassel, and Maggie Garvey all contributed as tough serving specialists and/or defensive specialists and even sophomore setter Alyssa Mattern got some varsity level reps, putting up four assists," he added. "The hard work and efficiency of our starters afforded us the opportunity to work in our full roster."

Cassidy McCollum led net play with 9 kills with Lezlie Nguyen (8 kills, 3.5 blocks, 2 aces), Taylor Long (5) and Brianna Lee (4 kills, 5 blocks) also putting the pressure on Warwick. Eliana Knaub and McCollum also combined for 13 digs and five aces.

Against McCaskey, Bowmaster (5 kills), Bailey (6 aces, 7 digs), Garvey (7 digs), Mattern (9 assists) and Sugra (1 block) were the stat leaders.

GIRLS' SOCCER

The girls' soccer team shook off a 1-0 loss to Hempfield by capturing their fourth shutout win of the season, a 3-0, non-league result over Wilson on Sept. 22.

After a scoreless first half, the Comets tallied all three of their goals in a span of nine minutes to take control. Izzy Kligge started the scoring spree when she found the back of the net in the 57th minute. Three minutes later Lauren Stoner broke through while Carolyn Hinkle capped the action in the 66th minute. Allison Burkholder needed just three saves to earn the shutout.

The winning continued with a 5-2 victory over Cedar Crest on the 27th. Stoner and Lilly Rineer each scored twice, Anouk Landgraff added one and Carly Keene dished out four assists as the Comets swept the series against the Falcons.

FIELD HOCKEY

After crushing Hempfield (10-0 on Sept. 22) and handling Central Dauphin 6-2 two days later, the Comets secured its fourth one-goal win of the season, holding off a determined Conestoga Valley squad 2-1 in overtime last Monday night.

Liz Bustillo's first quarter goal put the Comets in front while CV's Ellie Hershey tied the game in the third quarter. After a scoreless fourth, freshman Morgan Hook notched her first goal of the season, one-timing McGough's cross for the game-winner at the 14:14 mark.

After a scoreless first frame against Hempfield, Isabelle Thatcher opened the scoring in the second quarter and Manor never looked back. Caity McGough (3 assists), and Avery Bradburn each scored twice while Annie Bibus, Bustillo, Tristan Groff (3 assists), Chloe Hook and Emily Kemmer added one goal each.

Manor scored four times in the second quarter to pull away from CD, who notched a pair of fourth quarter goals. Bradburn scored twice. Bustillo (3 assists), Grace Gerner, Thatcher and McGough also found the back of the net.

Gerner's third quarter stood the test as the Comets blanked Manheim Township last Wednesday.

FOOTBALL

Penn Manor put up a season-high 36 points and yielded a season-low seven in a convincing win over Reading Friday, Sept. 23. Up 9-0 at the half, the Comets exploded for 27 third quarter points and improved to 2-0 in Section One.

A Peter Skiadas field goal and a Jonathan Osman (65 rushing yards) interception return accounted for Manor's early lead.

The Comets scored three times in less than two minutes after the break to take control. Eli Warfel sprinted 35-yards up the middle and after that, the defense took over. Sekai Lewis recovered a botched pitch and raced to the endzone while Jordan Martin literally ripped the ball out of a ballcarrier's hands and raced 20 yards for another TD. Osman added a 56-yard TD run to cap the third quarter scoring.