Marshall Peppelman claimed his fourth title at the Powerade Christmas Wrestling Tournament last night at Canon-McMillan. Nico Megaludis is hoping to be the next.

Peppelman, a senior at Central Dauphin High School, became only the second wrestler in the 43-year history of the tournament to win four titles with a 4-2 win against Benton's Eric Hess in the 160-pound title match. The only other four-time winner is North Allegheny's Ty Moore, who claimed his fourth title in 1989.

Megaludis, a junior at Franklin Regional, capture his third title with a 2-1 overtime rideout of Benton's Michael Rhone in the 119-pound final.

"It would obviously be nice to win four Powerade titles," said Megaludis, who won in overtime for the second year in a row. "I just have to take it day by day and keep working hard."

Derry sophomore Jimmy Gulibon and Shady Side Academy senior Frank Martellotti were also repeat winners.

Gulibon claimed the 112-pound title with a 9-2 win against Blue Mountain's Corey Keener.

"I was much more nervous than I was in last year's finals," Gulibon said. "I felt much better after I got my first escape and takedown."

Martellotti captured a second 130-pound crown with a 10-4 win against Blue Mountain's Tyler Rauenzahn.

"It was much easier this year because I knew what to expect," Martellotti said. "I've trained very hard and felt very confident when I stepped on the mat."

The biggest surprise of the tournament was Charleroi freshman Cody Wiercioch, who claimed the 152-pound title with a 2-1 win against Pierce Harger of Moeller, Ohio. Wiercioch reversed Harger with 12 seconds left to pull out the victory. He was also named outstanding wrestler of the tournament.

"I never dreamed I would win this tournament, especially as a freshman," Wiercioch said. "It's an exhilarating experience. I can't really describe it."

Gulibon was joined on the winners platform by Derry teammate Travis Shaffer

"This title means everything to me," Shaffer said. "My whole high school career I've been close to making it big, but always felt short. I finally made it to the finals and wrestled a sound a smart match."

Martellotti's teammate Matthew Cunningham came up short in his attempt to repeat. Cunningham, a senior, lost 4-2 in the 171-pound final to Central Dauphin's Kenny Courts, the wrestler he defeated last year at 160 pounds.

Central Dauphin claimed its third consecutive team title. The Rams had three wrestlers advance to the final and all three claimed titles. Peppelman and Courts were joined on the winners platform by teammate Tyson Dippery, a freshman who claimed the 103-pound title with a 3-2 win against Canon-McMillan freshman Connor Schram.

A total of 11 WPIAL wrestlers advanced to the finals with six claiming titles.

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