Penn-Trafford notebook: Wrestler Dylan Barrett in hunt for WPIAL title

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, February 16, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Penn-Trafford junior wrestler Dylan Barrett is a two-time WPIAL placewinner and PIAA qualifier.

If things go as planned Feb. 15, Barrett should enter the WPIAL Class 3A championship Feb. 21-22 at Canon-McMillan as the favorite at 114 pounds.

Peters Township sophomore Nicholas McGarrity, who defeated Barrett in overtime for the 107 title, competed at 114 all season but decided to drop to 107 for the rest of the season.

Barrett is 26-2 and 94-27 for his career. He placed third in the WPIAL in 2023.

“The goal is to win the WPIAL title and get on the podium at the PIAA tournament,” Barrett said.

Some of the top wrestlers in his weight class include Norwin freshman Coleton Klipa, Franklin Regional sophomore Titus Colangelo and Connellsville junior Zach Franks.

Valenta makes states

Penn-Trafford senior Emily Valenta finished 15th at the WPIAL rifle championship Feb. 13.

Butler’s Jackson Jungling placed first with a perfect score of 200-20x, and Hempfield’s Brooke Fanala was second with a score of 200-19x.

Valenta’s score was 200-15x.

Penn-Trafford’s Jillian Hayes placed 23rd, Matthew Stewart was 24th, Amanda Wendler was 54th and Ella Malloy was 74th.

Valenta will now advance to the state tournament.

On campus

Here’s a look at how Penn-Trafford grads are faring at the college level:

Men’s volleyball

Grove City: Freshman Keith Otto had 13 kills, and sophomore Andrew Kessler (Penn-Trafford) had seven blocks in a 3-2 loss to Eastern.

Baseball

Patrick & Henry: Sophomore Dylan Grabowski was named the JBB Junior College Baseball Hitter of the Week as he hit .417 with a home run, triple, double and a 1.500 OPS over four games. For good measure, he tossed six shutout innings, with seven strikeouts, and earned a win.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Penn-Trafford