Trib Westmoreland 2024 wrestling all-stars: Norwin freshman Landon Sidun as good as advertised
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Saturday, March 23, 2024 | 11:01 AM
Norwin’s Landon Sidon celebrates after defeating Curtis Nelson of Ridley in the 114-pound final at the PIAA Class 2A wrestling championships March 9.
Franklin Regional’s Ty Kapusta grabs the waist of Latrobe’s Jacob Braun on Jan. 31.
Latrobe’s Luke Willochell celebrates beating Franklin Regional’s Tyler Kapusta in the 121-pound final during the WPIAL 3A wrestling championships March 2.
Latrobe’s Leo Joseph reverses position on Derry’s Anthony Mucci during the WCCA championships Jan. 6.
Latrobe’s Hunter Snyder controls Council Rock South’s Bekhruz Sadriddinov at 172 pounds at the PIAA Class 3A wrestling championships March 8.
Derry’s Mason Horwat reacts to winning the 145-pound title at the WPIAL Class 2A wrestling championships Feb. 24.
Hempfield’s Eli Carr controls Keegan Demarest of Pocono Mountain East during at 152 pounds at the PIAA Class 3A wrestling championships March 8.
Mt. Pleasant’s Dylan Pitzer wrestles Mark Effendian of Faith Christian during the PIAA Class 2A wrestling championships March 9.
Franklin Regional senior Juliano Marion has his hand raised after winning Jan. 17.
Derry’s Brady Brown avoids a takedown attempt by Bishop McDevitt’s Lucas Lawler at 189 pounds at the PIAA Class 2A wrestling championship March 7.
Derry’s Anthony Mucci reacts to winning the 114-pound WCCA final Jan. 6.
Hempfield’s Nico Kapusta controls Andrew Alexander of Mifflin County at 107 pounds during the PIAA Class 3A wrestling championships March 7.
Penn-Trafford’s Hayden Coy pins Franklin Regional’s Dom Colaizzi at 127 pounds Jan. 11, 2022.
Norwin’s Nathan Campbell wrestles Kiski’s Cooper Roscosky in the 189-pound final at the WPIAL Class 3A wrestling championships March 2.
Landon Sidun of Norwin is tied with Penn Manorճ Travis Clawson in the 114 lbs during the PIAA AAA wrestling championship at Hersheyճ Giant Center Thursday March 7, 2024
Wrestler of the Year
Landon Sidun
Norwin, fr., 114 pounds
2023-24 record: 42-2; Overall record: 42-2
Landon Sidun was well known even before he wrestled his first high school match.
He was being touted as the next superstar. The freshman didn’t disappoint.
Sidun bounced back from a loss in the WPIAL Class 3A finals to win his first PIAA title at 114 pounds March 9. He also claimed gold at Fargo Nationals, Super 32 and Powerade.
But he made his name at the Beast of the East tournament. He dropped a close bout and then bounced two state champions to finish third.
A week later, he won the Powerade title, which vaulted him to No. 1 in the country at his weight class.
“The Beast of the East and Powerade tournaments set up the rest of the season,” Sidun said. “I know I was favored, but I wasn’t nervous. I didn’t let things bother me.”
Sidun also kept a streak of 30 consecutive years that Westmoreland County has had a state champion.
For his effort, he was named Trib Westmoreland Wrestler of the Year.
He beat out Franklin Regional’s Ty Kapusta and Hempfield’s Eli Carr for the award.
Sidun finished the season 42-2, and he wouldn’t mind emulating Frazier’s Rune Lawrence, who this season became the 14th wrestler in the state to become a four-time champion.
It wasn’t easy. Sidun had to maneuver through a tough field. He defeated Ridley junior Ricky Nelson, 6-3, in the state finals.
“I’d like to reach that milestone, but right now, I’m working on winning the next one,” Sidun said. “I’m thinking one at a time. I keep working every day to get better. When I lost in the WPIAL finals, I was glad the state tournament was the next week.”
Norwin coach Kyle Martin added: “He doesn’t let pressure get to him. He actually thrives on it. He’s always working hard on getting better. He responds well.”
First team
Brady Brown
Derry, fr., 189 pounds
2023-24 record: 39-6; Career record: 39-6
The Trojans freshman impressed at the PIAA championship. He won his first section and WPIAL 2A title, placed fifth in the Southwest Regional and qualified for states, falling in the blood round after upsetting Bishop McDevitt’s Lucas Lawler in the first round.
Nathan Campbell
Norwin, sr., 189 pounds
2023-24 record: 38-10; Career record: 96-40
The Knights senior was a section champion and a runner-up in the WPIAL, dropping a close match in sudden victory to Kiski Area’s Cooper Roscosky. He defeated Roscosky for fifth place in the PIAA championship a week later. He received an appointment from the United States Naval Academy.
Eli Carr
Hempfield, sr., 152 pounds
2023-24 record: 36-3; Career record: 113-18
The Spartans senior claimed his second consecutive WPIAL title and placed third in the PIAA at 152 pounds in 2024. He was a three-time PIAA qualifier. He placed fourth in 2023. He was a three-time Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association champion. He’ll attend Brown.
Hayden Coy
Penn-Trafford, sr., 145 pounds
2023-34 record: 17-7; Career record: 100-39
The Warriors senior had an injury plagued season. He ended up recovering in time to compete in the postseason, where he placed second in the section and WPIAL. He earned his first PIAA medal with an eighth-place finish. He plans to attend Bloomsburg.
Mason Horwat
Derry, fr., 145 pounds
2023-24 record: 38-7; Career record: 38-7
The Trojans freshman completed his first high school season with a sixth-place finish in the PIAA Class 2A tournament at 145. He was a section and WPIAL champion and placed third at the PIAA Southwest Regional. He was a county champion.
Leo Joseph
Latrobe, jr., 114 pounds
2023-24 record: 37-11; Career record: 101-33
The Wildcats junior is a two-time section runner-up. He placed third in the WPIAL this season and finished eighth in the PIAA. His dad, Drew, placed seventh in the state in 2000 while wrestling at Connellsville.
Nico Kapusta
Hempfield, so., 107 pounds
2023-24 record: 25-10; Career record: 52-11
The Spartans sophomore placed fourth in the WPIAL and second in the section. He was a PIAA qualifier and placed second in the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association tournament.
Ty Kapusta
Franklin Regional, sr., 121 pounds
2023-24 record: 45-7; Career record: 120-33
The Panthers senior finished second in the WPIAL and second in the PIAA in Class 3A. He reached the state finals before falling to Bethlehem Catholic’s Keanu Dillard, 3-1 in overtime. He was a three-time PIAA place winner and a two-time WPIAL runner-up. He’ll attend Bucknell.
Juliano Marion
Franklin Regional, sr., 215 pounds
2023-24 records: 47-9; Career records: 136-35
The Panthers senior, nicknamed Bear, finish fifth in the PIAA Class 3A 215-pound weight class. He was a three-time PIAA qualifier and a two-time section champion. He also played a key role in helping the Panthers reach the PIAA team tournament. He will be attending Pitt.
Anthony Mucci
Derry, jr, 114 pounds
2023-24 record: 35-8; Career record: 69-17
The Trojans junior was a section and WPIAL 2A champion. He placed sixth at the PIAA Southwest Regional and lost in the blood round at states. He also was a Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association champion.
Dylan Pitzer
Mt. Pleasant, so. 285 pounds
2023-24 record: 44-4; Career record: 79-16
The Vikings sophomore had a fantastic season that ended with a fourth-place finish at the PIAA 2A championship. Pitzer recorded 30 pins and was a WPIAL and PIAA Southwest Regional runner-up to Central Valley senior Brenan Morgan.
Hunter Snyder
Latrobe, fr., 172 pounds
2023-24 record: 38-8; Career record: 38-8
The Wildcats freshman had a great season. He was a Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association and section champion. He placed second in the WPIAL and sixth in the state. He finished with 21 pins and defeated two wrestlers who had beaten him earlier in the season.
Luke Willochell
Latrobe, jr., 121 pounds
2023-24 record: 41-3; Career record: 122-12
The Wildcats junior is a three-time section and WPIAL champion. He looks to become the next four-time WPIAL champion. He’s a three-time PIAA placewinner after finishing fifth for the second consecutive year. He will join his brother Gabe at Wyoming.
Second team
Dylan Barrett, Penn-Trafford, so., 107 pounds, 2023-24 record: 35-10 (second in the WPIAL)
Jacob Braun, Latrobe, sr., 127 pounds, 2023-24 record: 35-9 (second in the WPIAL)
Elijah Brown, Belle Vernon, so., 172 pounds; 2023-24 record: 44-5 (first in WPIAL and Southwest Regional)
Titus Colangelo, Franklin Regional, 107 pounds, 2023-24 record: 32-15 (placed sixth in WPIAL)
Kole Doppelheuer, Belle Vernon, jr., 145 pounds, 2023-24 record: 27-10 (third in the WPIAL)
Logan Matrisch, Penn-Trafford, so., 152 pounds, 2023-24 record: 28-26 (seventh in the WPIAL)
Aiden Pham, Norwin, sr., 215 pounds, 2023-24 record: 31-13 (fifth in the WPIAL)
Jamison Poklembo, Mt. Pleasant, sr., 145 pounds, 2023-24 record: 37-9 (sixth in the WPIAL)
Stephen Predajna, Mt. Pleasant, fr., 160 pounds, 2023-24 record: 32-15 (fifth in the WPIAL)
Mike Ruane, Franklin Regional, fr., 114 pounds, 2023-24 record: 32-14 (eighth in the WPIAL)
Greg Shaulis, Mt. Pleasant, sr., 152 pounds, 2023-24 record: 37-10 (third in the WPIAL)
Giovanni Weightman, Belle Vernon, sr., 139 pounds, 2023-24 record: 35-15 (third in the WPIAL)
Tasso Whipple, Penn-Trafford, jr., 189 pounds, 2023-24 record: 27-12 (fifth in the WPIAL)
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.
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