Spencerport's Barrett pins pain in his comeback
James Johnson . Staff writer . January 21, 2011
www.rochesterdandc.com

KRIS J. MURANTE staff photographer

Spencerport's Scott Barrett, right, is 27-2 as a 112-pounder this season, but it hasn't been without its challenges from a dislocated elbow suffered in 2009. "I'm determined to go to states this year," he says. MONROE COUNTY TOURNAMNET Where: Webster Schroeder Today: 4 p.m. Saturday: Consolations, 10 a.m.; Semifinals, Noon; Finals, 5 p.m. SCOTT BARRETT School: Spencerport Age/Class: 17/senior. Weight: 112 pounds. Family: Scott and Cathy (parents); Brandon (brother, 15). Resides: Ogden. Bout sheet: Earned his 100th varsity win earlier this month. ... Placed third at 2010 SuperSectionals, Section V's qualifier for the state tournament.

Spencerport senior Scott Barrett has reached 100 varsity wins, a milestone achieved more often nowadays because high school wrestlers are in more tournaments and matches than ever.

But the path to the achievement sometimes is far from easy in what can be a trying sport.

Just ask Barrett.

During the summer before his junior year, he dislocated his left elbow during a match. Barrett was sidelined for three months but returned as soon as he could and wrestled through the high school season.

More than a year later, there is still discomfort in Barrett's elbow, but he is willing to play with pain. He is able to work through it as the 112-pounder enters the Monroe County Wrestling Championships today and Saturday at Webster Schroeder with a 27-2 record this winter.

"I'm determined to go to states this year," Barrett said. "I put it in my mind that (the injury) didn't even happen."

Willpower alone probably won't guarantee Barrett's first trip to the state championships or even a Monroe County tournament or sectional title.

But Barrett's comeback has not gone unnoticed.

"It comes along with the sport," Spencerport coach Tony D'Ambra said. "But at the same time, not everyone can come back the way he has."

Barrett's injury came during an offseason tournament in New Jersey, as he prepared to move from the 103- to 112-pound weight class. He was leading a match 2-0 at the start of the second period and chose to try to work his way out of his opponent's control.

Barrett said he stood up, then quickly sat down to set up a reversal attempt. The routine move became anything but when Barrett planted his left arm into the mat.

"I felt the pain and it was the worst I ever felt in my life," Barrett said. "I went into shock, I didn't know what was going on.

"I looked down, then it hit me. Then I was out of it."

Barrett increased his training once out of a cast but still had work to do before his third varsity season.

"Our coaches don't tell us that we are in the lineup," Barrett said. "We have to wrestle off. I won the spot."

While that might have been an accomplishment in itself, Barrett said that he "struggled" to win 34 of his 46 matches last season.

"He's real tough on top (of his opponent)," teammate and drill partner Geoff Brown said. "Early in the season, I would see him wincing, holding it when walking off the mat.

"He knew that we needed him there. It's inspiring to watch, encouraging on a day when you don't feel your best.

"You don't really fully recover from an injury like that. It hurts sometimes to this day." Barrett went on to finish third at the 2010 SuperSectionals, Section V's qualifier for the state meet.

"At the beginning of the season, I had to keep stopping during practice and ice it," Barrett said. "The wrestling room makes you keep going. The coaches and teammates encourage you.

"I didn't have the strength (during the season), but as it went on I got more used to it. I didn't place (finish in the top-six) at counties last year. I was down because of all of my losses prior to then. I lost my mojo. I got my mojo back a little at sectionals."

Barrett entered this season with more confidence and "more of a mindset to do better, not to give up."

His two losses among 29 matches have come against Johnson City's Sean McCormick via technical fall and Lancaster's Steven Michel, participants in the 2010 state meet.

"He's beat few state-caliber kids too," D'Ambra said. "In New York State, that's a loaded weight class. He still had a lot of success last year but he wasn't able to wrestle the way he wanted. He wasn't back until this year."