Wrestling notebook: Hempfield’s Kapusta returns with a bang after injury layoff, quick rehab

By: Paul Schofield
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 | 6:42 PM

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When Nico Kapusta injured his left elbow during a preseason wrestling tournament in October at Edinboro, he was told by his doctor (James Bradley) that recovery time would be six months.

He resigned himself to the notion that his junior season at Hempfield would be lost.

His dad, Brian, who also is the Hempfield coach, said Nico tore his ulnar collateral ligament, had a partial tear of his radial collateral ligament and partial bicep tear.

But Kapusta healed quicker than expected, and when he went to his appointment in January, Dr. Bradley cleared him to drill.

“He had me do pushups and other stretches and told me I could start practicing,” Nico Kapusta said. “I was not feeling any pain and had no problems. During my time off, I read the Bible and other religious articles online. I kept a positive attitude.”

Kapusta is trying to follow the same path as Franklin Regional grad Spencer Lee in 2016, when he missed the regular season with an injury but came back to win his third PIAA title.

“It would be nice to follow Spencer’s path,” Brian Kapusta said. “After watching Nico workout, I got him to get another appointment to see if he could compete. Bradley cleared him, and he was able to compete at the Pine-Richland duals.”

Nico Kapusta got to compete in three matches and was ready for the section tournament Feb. 15.

He faced three tough wrestlers and ended up winning the Eastern Region (Sections 7-8-9) title.

He defeated Ringgold freshman Leif Syrko (17-3), Norwin freshman Coleton Klipa (4-3) and Penn-Trafford junior Dylan Barrett (9-7).

Kapusta (9-0) is seeded No. 1 at 114 pounds at this week’s WPIAL Class 3A individual championships Friday and Saturday at Canon-McMillan. He placed fourth at 107 as a sophomore and went 1-2 in the PIAA tournament.

One step down, three to go is how Nico Kapusta looks at it.

“My mom (Shanelle) told me she was proud that I was getting a chance to wrestle before the section tournament,” Nico said. “I told her, I’m not just satisfied to just be competing. I am in it to win it. I’m ready to go. I’m looking forward to the next three weeks.”

Brian Kapusta said he was a little surprised that Nico was able to return.

“It was a little shocking to hear that Dr. Bradley cleared him,” he said. “But he stayed in shape, and he’d come to practice and help his teammates.

“I watched him drill at the high school, with Young Guns and Silent Victory, and I knew he had a chance. He wrestled really well and controlled the matches. He’s wrestling with confidence.”

Murphy doesn’t listen

Southmoreland junior Zoey Murphy won the 235-pound weight class at the WPIAL girls championship and became the school’s first winner.

Murphy used a headlock to pin Woodland Hills junior Brooklyn Pearson in the first period.

“I hit a headlock, but my coaches don’t like me using it because I’m not good with it,” Murphy said. “They want me to work on other things. I’m glad it worked this time.”

Murphy (14-0) recorded three first-period pins, including a 12-second fall in the semifinals against Trinity sophomore Daelyn Norris.

She placed second in 2024.

“It feels really good because this entire year I’ve been getting second,” Murphy said. “We competed in only two tournaments, so it’s nice to get first.”

Norwin wins junior high title

Norwin Junior High wrestling team won the annual WPIAL Junior High tournament Feb. 14-15 at Kiski Area.

The Knights finished with 275 points and had 12 placewinners.

They had three finalists, with Noah Curren winning the 140 title. Placing second were Jonah Fierle at 212 and Eli Bechtold at 82.

Placing third were Caden Gigliotti at 147, Gabriel Schuchert at 89 and Logan Hunter at 172.

4 for Derry junior high

Derry Area might have finished second to Norwin in the team standings with 230 points, but the Trojans had the most champions, four at the WPIAL junior high finals.

Winning titles were Camden Olsen at 124, Mason Keesecker at 96, Ty Blasko at 157 and Will McNeal at 147.

Mikey McNeal placed second at 110, and Cael Brown placed third at 132.

Weekend schedule

The WPIAL Class 3A and 2A individual championships take place Friday and Saturday.

• Class 3A is at Canon-McMillan beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday. Action resumes at 10 a.m. Saturday with the second consolation round. Semifinals at 11:30 a.m. and the finals at 3:30 p.m. Top seven finishers advance to the Southwest Regional at Altoona on Feb. 28 and March 1.

• Class 2A is at Chartiers Valley beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday. Action resumes at 10 a.m. Saturday with the second consolation round. Semifinals at 11:30 a.m. and the finals at 3:30 p.m. Top eight finishers advance to the Southwest Regional on Feb. 28 and March 1 at Altoona.

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.

Tags: Derry Area, Hempfield, Norwin, Southmoreland