On a day when Penn Manor's seniors were recognized, the Comet track and field teams defeated Lebanon on Monday, May 8, in their final dual meet of the season. The boys won all but five events en route to a crushing 108-42 final while the girls posted a lopsided 95-49 result.

Trevor Schneider remained undefeated on the season with a winning height of 6-2, with Stoner and Gansner taking second and third. Also in the field, Jael Cruz (148-2) and Wyatt Kauffman (138-2) both threw personal bests in the discus to finish first and second, respectively. Josh Doyle led a sweep in the javelin with Osman and Connor Dumas following and Jason Andro claimed the long jump. The boys also swept the pole vault with Drew Lebo (12-0) winning and Liam Risser, Sebastian Weaver and Jonathan Witmer tying for second.

On the track, Jon Osman picked up wins in the 100 and 200 and Adrian Smith (2nd) set a new sophomore class record in the 200 with a 10.9. Smith, Osman, Drew Lebo and Justin Smith also claimed the 4x100 relay.

D. Lebo also claimed the high hurdles while brother Tommy won the 300s. Carter Vinson, who won the mile, rounded out a sweep in the 3200 following Gavin Roberts (first) and Tristan Weaver.

Annie Bibus was the top point-getter for the girls, winning the mile and 800 and leading a sweep in the 3200 with Madison Martin and Jaidyn Carbaugh following. The Comets also swept the 100 hurdles with Jireh Ellis, Maleah Zook, the 300 hurdles winner, and Kaitlyn Yeager rounding out the place-winners.

Manor opened the meet with Olivia Parshley, Trisha Khadka, Carbaugh and Martin claiming the 4x800 relay.

In the field, Kate Harnish (pole vault), who was also second in the long jump, and Brianna Lee (high jump) were the only winners.

BOYS' LACROSSE

The boys' lacrosse team wrapped up a 6-4 league record with a crushing 18-2 win over Elizabethtown on May 4 and finished 11-6 overall with an 11-5 non-league victory at Governor Mifflin. The Comets are currently 9th in the District 3A power rankings with the top 12 teams advancing.

The one-win Bears of Etown were no match for the Comets who sprinted to a 5-0 first quarter advantage before exploding with 10 second quarter scores and a 15-1 halftime lead.

Eleven different Comets contributed to the offensive output with Benedict Flinchbaugh and Peyton Englert each scoring four times and dishing two assists. Evan Pohle, with two goals, was the only other multi-goal scorer with Adam Hollinger (2a), Eli Warfel (3a), Mikey Hollister, Willard Smith, Collin Robinson, Bowermaster, and Michael Mallis scoring one each. Jack Warfel added one assist.

Nick Hollinger (6 saves) and Hull (2) split time in goal.

On the road last Monday, the Comets got off to a slow start, scoring just once in the first quarter, but led 5-1 at the half and 9-3 heading into the final quarter.

Three was the magic number in this game with Hollinger (2a), Aidan Gerlach (2a) and Englert (1a) each scoring hat tricks. Flinchbaugh (1g, 2a), Adam Hoin (1g) and Warfel (1a) also contributed.

Hollinger collected 15 saves.

VOLLEYBALL

With districts rapidly approaching, the Comets earned an important 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-16) win over CV Thursday, May 4, avenging their 3-0 loss to the Buckskins back on April 11. They did not, however, have enough to knock off undefeated Section One champ Warwick last Tuesday, May 9.

Manor hosted the Comets for senior night and the added excitement in the gym only helped fuel their momentum. "This was the type of match we knew we were capable of but hadn't seen fully," said head coach Chris Telesco. "In the past we have been inconsistent with these things-blocks, defense, passing, serving-but we were steady.

"And since it was senior night, it was great to see our seniors show off their growth over the years," he continued. "Luke Thomas and Roman Keefer are getting better and better as blockers and attackers and Elijah Julian's confidence has skyrocketed. He found his niche and is reinventing it constantly. That's due to hard work and willingness to learn. And then there's Wyatt Rohrer. His growth has been exponential," Telesco said. "I would argue that he is one of the best all-around setters in the state. I'm so proud of all of these guys."

The first set was the closest with neither team leading by more than one point until the Comets took control at 19-17 and didn't back down. By the time the third set rolled around, the Bucks were frustrated, and the Comets were firing on all cylinders. Harry Whited finished with 10 kills. Rohrer controlled the offense, dishing 23 assists. Julian hustled for 11 digs and Thomas and Noah Reen each put up one block. Garrett Cortez and Whited chipped in with one ace each.

The Comets may have lost the match against Warwick, but they did close the gap in the third set before falling short 29-27. Thomas (10 kills), Rhorer (16 assists), Keefer (1 block), Cortez (13 digs) and Andre Weaver (1 ace) rounded out the stat leaders.

SOFTBALL

When things fall together for the Comets, they're a good team. After suffering a pair of one-run losses, Penn Manor topped Warwick 3-1 on May 5 and then dominated Section One champ Hempfield, 11-1 in the regular season ender.

"When we play good defense and hit the ball, good things happen," said head coach Dave Stokes. "We played error-free ball against Warwick and Juliegh Bowmaster threw just 48 pitches in seven innings. Unbelievable. She has just nine walks on the season."

Holding a one run lead through five innings, Warwick tied the game in the sixth only to see Manor forge ahead with a two run seventh. Kira Green's RBI single gave Manor the lead while Soboleski's base hit added an insurance run. Warwick went three up, three down in the bottom half.

Three days later, the Comets use a five run third inning to push out to a 6-0 advantage over Hempfield. They scored five more over the fifth and sixth innings.

"Kyleigh Lamborne hit a grand slam in that third inning and Bria Booth added a three-run homer in the sixth to seal the deal," said Stokes. "We're 14-6 now so we're hoping to make a run in districts."

Bowmaster struck out three and gave up three hits in the win.

GIRLS' LACROSSE

The girl's lacrosse team posted mixed results in their last two regular season games. They held off Elizabethtown 10-7 on May 4 but followed with a 9-3 loss to Section One runner-up Hempfield on May 8.

The Comets racked up nine first half goals against the Bears and both teams combined for just three goals in the second half. Jarliah Ferko matched E-town's Callie Love-Morris with a hat trick while Catherine Rabatin (1a) and Mia Jones each scored twice. Grace Gerner (1a), Erin Shipley and C Eckroat added one goal each.

Despite the loss to Hempfield, the Comets show improvement having dropped their first-round outing against the Knights 14-4. Hempfield used a 6-1 first half advantage to set the tone and held the Comets to just five shots on goal.

Joelle Kroesen (2g) and Jones found the back of the net. Brooklynn Ayala collected 19 saves over the two games.

BASEBALL

The baseball team picked up a 3-1 win over Warwick on May 5 before ending the regular season with a disappointing 3-2 loss to Hempfield on Monday, May 8.

"We finished 12-8 overall and 8-7 in Section One," said head coach Tom Fish. "It looks like we finish 10th in districts which open May 19."

The Comets scored all the runs they needed in the first inning and all with two outs. A RBI double by Isaac Braegelmann scored Bryce Avery. Spencer Stuart followed with a two-run single that plated Grant Fry and Braegelmann. "Our pitching and defense made it hold," said Fish. "Bryce went seven innings with seven strikeouts and allowed only four hits. He was backed by our incredible senior outfield. Trevor Adams, Spencer Stuart and Peter Skiadas have been the best outfield I have coached in my 13 years at this level. And it's not close!"

Against Hempfield, the visitors scored single runs in the first and second innings and Manor did the same in the third and fourth. The Knights, however, broke the tie with a single, a walk and a double in the fifth. Avery (2RBI), Stuart and Skiadas all finished with two hits.