Mount Pleasant coach Mark Mears made a bold prediction after watching Vikings senior Paul Snyder lose in overtime for the second consecutive year at the Powerade Christmas tournament, which ended Saturday night at Canon-McMillan High School.

"I bet both wrestlers will be in their state finals at the end of the season," said Mears, also referring to Nick Cook, a senior from Virginia's Fauquier High School, who posted a 3-1 overtime decision against Snyder in the 285-pound title match.

"You just watched two super heavyweights out there. The athletic ability both showed during the bout was amazing. It was actually fun to watch. And you don't find that very often with heavyweights."

Snyder, a Hofstra University recruit, is a two-time PIAA, Class AA placewinner who finished third last season. Cook placed fifth in Virginia's Class AAA tournament.

"I feel bad for Paul, but I'm not disappointed," Mears said. "The effort was there. The regular season is supposed to get you ready for the postseason. Both benefitted from the quality competition."

Burrell's Shane Welsh, a Lehigh University recruit, suffered the same fate. Welsh also made a second consecutive appearance in the Powerade finals and had to settle for second again. He had the unfortunate task of facing Canon-McMillan's Colin Johnston, who was named the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler, in the 135-pound final. Johnston managed a 5-2 victory to claim a third title in four years.

Snyder and Welsh were two of three WPIAL wrestlers who earned a return trip to the Powerade finals after placing second last year. The other was Albert Gallatin's Lance Bryson, who placed second at 171 in 2006. Bryson returned in the same weight class and left with a championship trophy and a convincing 9-4 victory against Peter Huntley of Virginia's Colonial Forge.

West Mifflin's San Sherlock and James Fleming were repeat winners at the 36th annual Steve DeAugustino Holiday Classic that ended Saturday night at West Mifflin High School.

Sherlock captured a second consecutive 125-pound title with a 3-0 win against Bethel Park's Anthony Bonaccorsi. Fleming, who won at 145 last year, claimed the 152-pound crown with a 13-0 win against South Allegheny's Wesley Weston.

Bermudian Springs dominated the 22-team field for the second consecutive year with 263 points and six individual champions. Bethel Park finished a distant second with 170.5 points.

Norwin won the 22-team Southmoreland Holiday Classic, which concluded Friday. The Knights accumulated 194 points with 10 wrestlers placing among the top eight in their weight class.

Mike Salopek, Justin Freidhof and Brad Rodgers won titles for Norwin. Salopek made his fourth title appearance and claimed a third title with an 11-3 win against Charleroi's David Grillo at 189 pounds. Salopek won titles at 160 and 189 the past two years.

Freidhof won at 145 with a 4-2 decision against Avonworth's Ben Kramer. Rodgers claimed the heavyweight crown with a 9-2 win against Northern Bedford's Will Grace.

Riverview's Josh Dezort was the only other WPIAL wrestler to win a title. Dezort defeated Southmoreland's Jeff Beal, 4-2, at 171.

Burrell will put its WPIAL Class AA No. 1 ranking on the line Wednesday when it travels to face No. 2 Shady Side Academy.

The two teams met twice last season, with Burrell winning both times.