Three locals climb the podium
Norwin’s Sidun claims 1st title in inaugural year
HERSHEY, Pa. — Vaughn Spencer may have tested all his senses while envisioning the ultimate moment of his high school wrestling career, but claiming a gold medal was something he felt might not ever accomplish – even thoughhe wanted one. Inthe worst way.
And while the Pine-Richland senior finally achieved his dream Saturday at Giant Center, he nearly gave up the sport when injuries seemed to derail him more quickly thanan experienced competitor could apply a firm armbar. Even as he shared his experiences in Giant Center’s hallway, those shoulder problems, concussions and even a serious knee injury returned briefly as reminders. Especially since he shrugged off all sorts of adversity before reaching the top of the awards podium. Yet for Spencer, that climb to one of Pennsylvania’s highest wrestling points occurred as the determined 172-pounder parlayed three takedowns and a pair of escapes into an 8-4 win against Trinity senior Bodie Morgan — one of Spencer’s buddies and training partners.
“I’ve been dreaming about this the past two years,” said Spencer, who closed out his Pine-Richland career with a 71-4 record and his final season at 43-2. “To finally be here, havedreams come true, see all thework I put in finally pay off isamazing.”
Morgan, who closed out at 30-5 and 94-34 (career), scored the first takedown as he grabbed an early 2-0 lead before Spencer halved his deficit with an escape. Morgan went back up two (3-1) with an escape in the second, but Spencer slipped around for an equalizing deuce that had the matchtied at 3-all after two.
An escape and another Spencer go-behind made it 6-3 in the opening minute of the third, but Morgan was able to free himself. Then with time winding down, a roll through led to a Spencer cover as the Lehigh recruit put the clamps onhis first gold.
Plus, Spencer is Pine-Richland’s first state champ since ScottHeim prevailed in 1982.
“Scotty Heim, I know him very well,” said Spencer, who detailed that the two share family connections. “He’s been watching me, following me and finally wanted somebody to break that streak. It’s pretty cool to finally be that guy.”
For Thomas Jefferson’s Maddox Shaw, his shot in the 139-pound final proved to be thecharm as he completed his ascension from third to second to Pennsylvania state champ by beating Central Mountain junior Dalton Perry. Perry claimed gold two seasons ago as a freshman, when he defeated Shaw in the semis.
“I think back to some of my wins that might have given me (a blissful) feeling,” said Shaw, who stands at 128-12 after his three varsity seasons. He was 43-3 this time around. “It stays with you a little bit and then you have to snap back into reality because it’s what we do. That’s what wrestlers do, you want to constantly better.”
Shaw punctuated his 3-1 victory by turning a single into a match-winning takedown midway through the extrasession.
Landon Sidun punctuated a terrific freshman season by claiminghis first gold with a 63 triumph against equally quick 114-pounder Curtis Nelsonof Ridley. Sidun was up 4-3 whenhe latched on to a single, reeled the elusive Nelson in and then rode out the final 30 seconds. The Norwin youngsterclosed out at 42-2.
Franklin Regional senior TylerKapusta was squeezed 31 (in sudden victory) by 2023 107-pound champ Keanu Dillard of Bethlehem Catholic in the final. Kapusta will return homeas one of the WPIAL’s 24 medalwinners.