Norwin sophomore wrestler Landon Sidun wins another Powerade title

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, December 28, 2024 | 6:58 PM

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Norwin sophomore Landon Sidun once again was the only wrestler carrying the WPIAL flag into the finals at the Powerade Tournament on Saturday.

And for the second consecutive season, Sidun went home as a winner. Sidun was the 114-pound champion last year.

Sidun, who earned the No. 1 ranking in the country at 121 pounds by MatScouts by winning the Beast of the East, did not allow Christian Brothers Academy (N.J.) sophomore Paul Kenny to escape during a 30-second ultimate ride-out to secure a thrilling 7-6 victory. Kenny finished third at 114 in 2023.

It was Sidun’s second overtime win of the day. He used a takedown with 11 seconds left in overtime to defeat Malvern Prep’s Lukas Littleton Mascara, 4-1.

It was the second consecutive week Sidun defeated Littleton Mascara in the semifinals. He won 2-1 last week.

Kenny went up 3-0 in the first period with a takedown. Sidun responded in the second period with an escape and takedown to nab a 4-3 lead.

Kenny used a reversal to take a 5-4 lead with 46 seconds left, but Sidun tied the score with an escape with 7 seconds left.

Both scored in the tiebreaker periods. Sidun got an escape, and Kenny received a penalty point. That set up the exciting ultimate tiebreaker.

Sidun was able to force Kenny’s hips to the mat, and the Christian Brothers wrestler was unable to get loose.

“It was a great match,” Sidun said. “Stuff happens in a wrestling match once in a while. I just had to get back to my game plan and push back. I knew I was going to come back and win.”

Norwin coach Kyle Martin said Sidun does a good job with his mental approach.

“Sometimes you have to figure it out,” Martin said. “Everyone at this level is really good. Landon rode a guy out for 30 seconds and got called for a clasp. Then you got to ride him again.

“In the offseason, we worked on his strength and riding on top. We pushed him in the room. That’s the kind of toughness you need.”

Martin said Sidun changed his ride in the last tiebreaker and started low, worked up and kept his hips down.

“This is the toughest tournament in the country,” Sidun said. “All these kids are great.

“It was awesome to carry the WPIAL flag again. It gave me an extra edge. I had to win it for the area. This is a prestigious tournament.”

Kenny said he was proud of everything he did except the outcome.

“We put on a show,” Kenny said. “I’ll be back. I feel he changed his ride a little during the second ride-out period. He is a good competitor, and I’m looking forward to wrestling him in the future.”

The WPIAL bettered its performance from a year ago when nine wrestlers earned medals. This year, 14 left with hardware.

Thomas Jefferson senior Bode Marlow (172) placed third, and senior heavyweight Shepherd Turk placed fifth.

Connellsville senior Evan Petrovich (152) placed fifth, and senior Lonzy Vielma (160) was eighth.

Latrobe sophomore Hunter Snyder (189), who lost in the semifinals, placed fourth, and senior Leo Joseph (121) was eighth.

“I’m pleased with how I finished. I liked it a lot,” Snyder said. “Looking at it, I have two more years left, so as soon as I get back home, I’m going back to work and figuring out what I need to work on.”

Kiski Area junior Cooper Roscosky (215) ended up sixth, and senior Mark Gray (189) was seventh.

Roscosky was pleased to place but said he knows he has to be better.

“I have to work on my conditioning,” Roscosky said. “I learned I’m right up there with the best of them. I just got to wrestle my match every match. I have things to work on.”

Gray was pleased how he finished at his first Powerade.

“This was my first time here, and I’m proud of myself,” Gray said. “This is the hardest tournament I’ve competed in. This is harder than Super 32.”

Derry senior Anthony Mucci (127) was seventh, Penn-Trafford senior Tasso Whipple (189) sixth, Indiana senior Nico Fanella (127) fourth, West Greene heavyweight seventh and Mt. Lebanon heavyweight Ben Lloyd eighth.

St. Joseph Regional (N.J.) senior Ryan Burton, who pinned State College senior Asher Cunningham, was named Most Valuable Wrestler, and Bishop McCort junior Bo Bassett received the “Most Falls” award.

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.