Long-time Pioneer Valley wrestling coach and social science teacher Kevin Ilac said senior female wrestler Torey Barrett is a great example of how commitment and sacrifice can transform your life.
“Torey is the most decorated athlete from our girls’ program and one of the greatest in Pioneer Valley history,” Ilac said.
Ilac first met Barrett when she joined the wrestling team as a freshman, new to the sport.
“She first stood out to me because she likes to take on huge challenges,” Ilac said. “Torey is a special athlete and person.”
According to Ilac, Barrett really came into her wrestling form during her junior and senior seasons, breaking barriers and laying down new records. In this past season alone, Barrett placed at every tournament and took first at the CIF qualifying meet. She capped her season with a second place finish at CIF finals and sixth place at both the state and national meets. To top it all off, Barrett earned her second award as an All-American.
Barrett recently cemented her place in school history by signing with King University in Tennessee, where she will join one of the best female wrestling teams in the country.
“It will be weird being away from California, but I’m excited about it,” Barrett said.
Barrett started wrestling in ninth grade. She was looking for a sport that offered a lot of physical contact, and it came down to water polo or wrestling. Barrett was already familiar with wrestling, watching her stepsister, former PVHS wrestling great Courtney Tompkins, wrestle her way into a collegiate scholarship.
“I like a lot of things about wrestling because it’s not just being on a team, it’s like being with family,” Barrett said. “I like the full contact and how you have to be self-reliant; it’s always a challenge.”
Barrett said she was in talks with 14 different universities and narrowed it down to seven before settling on King. Barrett said she liked the atmosphere, the religious foundation of the school, and she found it very easy to connect with the coaches at King.
“This whole situation has not fully sunk in; it’s intimidating,” Barrett said. “The girls in college are going to be faster and stronger, and they wrestle a different style.”
For her freshmen season, Barrett’s main goals are to make her name known and to learn from the more experienced wrestlers on her team. According to Ilac, Barrett has had to deal with some tough things in her life, but has become one of the strongest young women he knows.
“I’m very proud of her accomplishments, and I’m honored to have assisted her with this metaphorical journey,” Ilac said.
Barrett will miss her teammates and her coach, but looks forward to all the traveling she will get to do for wrestling. Before graduating in June, Barrett has some helpful advice for younger, aspiring wrestlers.
“If you really want something, make it a serious thing and put your heart into,” Barrett said. “Make it your family.”
This article appears in May 21-28, 2015.