SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Andi Rose Barrett is one of the premier track & field athletes in Wheeling Park annals. She took it to another level in college, however, enjoying an All-American career at Slippery Rock University.

So much so, Barrett was inducted into the Slippery Rock Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday. She cleared many a hurdle en route to the cherished honor.

Barrett scripted one of the most successful careers in Slippery Rock track & field history with much of her success coming in the hurdles. The talented timber-topper garnered six All-America honors while also pocketing 15 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships. She established school records in seven different events.

“It is obviously an honor going into the hall of fame. It is very humbling,” Barrett said. “Looking back at my days at Slippery Rock, I am very thankful of how things played out. It really feels great being recognized by my alma mater.

“Slippery Rock was my second family. I had many of the best days of my life there,” she added. “I want to thank my coaches. They were incredible and really pushed me to the best I could be.”

Barrett was so dominant at Slippery Rock she still owns four school records despite picking up her diploma 11 years ago — outdoor 100-meter hurdles and 4×100-meter relay, indoor 55-meter and 60-meter hurdles. She gained three indoor All-America honors in the 60-meter hurdles and three outdoor All-America honors with two coming in the 100-meter hurdles and a third coming in the 400-meter hurdles.

The Wheeling native was twice named the PSAC track MVP while also being selected as the overall MVP following the 2017 PSAC Championships. Moreover, she was named the indoor meet PSAC MVP that same year after winning her second 60-meter hurdles and 4×400-meter relay titles.

Barrett headed to the Rock after establishing herself as one of the premier hurdlers in Ohio Valley history. She was the state 100-meter hurdles champion as a senior in 2002. Later in that same state meet, Barrett fell over the final hurdle in the 300-meter event but crawled across the finish line to grab runner-up laurels.

Her 14.98 clocking in the 100-meter hurdles still ranks among the best in OVAC record books.

“My high school career is somewhat of a blur after all these years. I owe so much of my success to Coach (Bernie) Dolan and the other Wheeling Park coaches,” Barrett said. “They always wanted the best for me in track as well as life. They really help put me on the path to success.”

Dolan is the current WVSSAC executive director. He was also Barrett’s head track coach at Wheeling Park.

“When you look back at your career you realize you may have coached only a few truly special athletes. Andi is definitely one of the best girls I ever coached,” Dolan said. “She had talent but she was also a fierce competitor which I believe really set her apart. She had a great work ethic. It was enjoyable to see her maturation process in becoming a great senior leader.”

In addition to her amazing track success at Slippery Rock, Barrett was tabbed a four-time All-Academic honoree by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and a four-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete.

Barrett currently resides in Franklin, Pa. with her husband Benjamin and their two children, Carter and Chase. She teaches health and physical education in the Cranberry Area School District. She is also the head girls’ cross country coach.

“I am in my 11th year of teaching and I still enjoy running. Coaching cross country keeps me involved,” Barrett said.

BUBBA’S BITS

IT WAS disappointing news last week that Barnesville High grad Jay Sawvel was let go as Wake Forest’s defensive coordinator. The former Shamrock and Mount Union grid standout will land on his coaching feet quite nicely after successful stints at places like the University of Minnesota, Notre Dame and Northern Illinois.

I DON’T mind telling you I told you so. I predicted after the U.S. Open in June that Tiger Woods is poised to resume winning on the PGA Tour. He did so in impressive fashion last week by capturing the Tour Championship. I also stick with my prediction that Tiger will also pocket several more majors.

THE THIRD annual Beallsville vs. Woodsfield/Monroe Central Alumni Football Game is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Beallsville football field. The game benefits the Beallsville Rally for Life. The game is open to any graduate of Beallsville, Woodsfield or Monroe Central high schools. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and concession stand. Those attending are asked to bring their oldest class ring for a chance to win a gift card. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Woodsfield/Monroe Central alumni wishing to play should contact Chris Wilson at 740-213-7346 while interested Beallsville alumni should call Michael Maddy at 740-391-2228.

THE INAUGURAL Home Savings Bank Community Hoop Fest at Ohio University Eastern is set for Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Health and Physical Education Center. It will feature a clinic for children in K-6th grade as well as a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with eight divisions. There will be 5th/6th grade, 7th/8th grade and high school divisions for boys and girls as well as separate adult divisions for men and women. Ohio University Eastern Athletics Director E.J. Schodzinski will direct the youth clinic and will be assisted by men?s coach Joel Nau, women?s coach Chace Smith and the OUE men?s and women?s basketball teams. The cost is $10 for the youth clinic and $30 for a team in the 3-on-3 tournament. Tuition for the clinic will be waived with the donation of a winter coat to benefit the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. To register, visitwww.ohio.edu/eastern and click on the ?Community Hoop Fest ?18? button on the lower right side. Contact schodzin@ohio.edu or 740-699-2503 for more information.

ONCE COMPLETED, the new John Marshall athletic complex will be as good as it gets. I got a close-up look covering the Monarchs’ football game against Parkersburg South. A big step forward will be the installation of the press box which will be ready for JM’s next home grid contest.

KUDOS TO Weir High’s Mike Granato and Steubenville’s Mike Haney for staging a successful inaugural basketball clinic at Franciscan University last Sunday. The veteran head coaching tandem are the leaders in establishing the Ohio Valley Basketball Coaching Association. The clinic served as the kickoff event for the fledgling association and drew a solid turnout.

BEALLSVILLE DEDICATED its new fieldhouse Friday night, naming it after longtime Blue Devils’ athletic director Delmas Moore. It was an honor he truly deserved, serving the school in that capacity for more than 40 years and still going strong.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE High grad (1987) Ron Balog guided his Quaker Valley (Pa.) gridders to a 50-43 win over Keystone Oaks Friday night. The former Red Devil quarterback is in his first year at the Quaker Valley helm.

Kapral may be reached at BKOVAC21@aol.com