Like father, like son.

That was the theme for Travis Shaffer at the Powerade Christmas Tournament, which took place last week at Canon-McMillan High School.

Shaffer, a junior at Derry Area High School, claimed the 135-pound title with a 3-2 win against Joe Locksmith of Florida's Kissimmee Osceola High School.

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

Shaffer is following in the footsteps of his father, Rich Shaffer, who won the 145-pound title for Derry in 1983. At that time, it was called the California University Christmas Tournament.

"My dad was a great wrestler," Shaffer said. "He was a two-time All-American at UPJ [Pitt-Johnstown]. To be even close to as good as he was is just great. He would be so proud of me if he was here."

Rich Shaffer never got to see Travis wrestle a varsity match, as he died in 2000.

"I'm sure he had a front row seat up there [in heaven] and was having a few beers while watching the finals," Shaffer said. "He's such an inspiration to me. He keeps me pushing on and on to be the best I can be, even though he's not here."

It was the third Powerade Tournament medal for Shaffer, who placed third at 135 as a sophomore, and fifth at 125 as a freshman.

"My last two appearances at Powerade helped prepare me for the finals," Shaffer said. "I lost, 6-5, in the semifinals to [Shady Side Academy's] Dane Johnson as a freshman. Last year, I lost to Cory Mock [of Chapel Hill, N.C.] in the semis. I experienced the adversity of being in a close match and learned how to pull out a victory."

Shaffer was joined on the winners platform by teammate Jimmy Gulibon, who captured his second Powerade Tournament title with a convincing 9-2 win agianst Blue Mountain's Corey Keener in the 112-pound final.

"Jimmy is a hard act to follow," Shaffer said. "He makes you a little bit calmer. He's a nice little kid who always looks up to you no matter who you are."

Gulibon had a case of the nerves prior to his title match.

"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."

Shaffer was much calmer as he entered the finals.

"I don't get nervous," Shaffer said. "I feel like its my opportunity to show everybody what I've got. I just like to go out there and do my moves and hope for the best."

Franklin Regional's Nico Megaludis hit the trifecta at the Powerade Tournament. He claimed his third title with a 2-1 overtime rideout of Benton's Michael Rhone in the 119-pound final.

"I have to learn how to wrestle those type of wrestlers," said Megaludis, who was frustrated by Rhone's lack of offense. "He got good defense, but didn't try much offensively. I like to force the action and dominate every match, but he tried to slow it down."

It was the second year in a row Megaludis needed overtime to dispose of his title opponent.

"I just tried to keep pressure on him and wear him out," Megaludis said. "I tried to get a takedown but it didn't work out. I just rode him out when I needed to."

Megaludis has a chance to become the third wrestler in Powerade Tournament history to win four titles.

The only four-time champions are North Allegheny's Ty Moore and Central Dauphin's Marshall Peppelman.

Burrell's Dave Makara was also a Powerade Tournament finalist. He dropped a 10-2 decision to Bellefonte's Mitchell Port in the 125-pound final. Makara was a third-place finisher at the same weight in 2008.

Kiski Area finished third in the 14-team Manheim Central Christmas Tournament with three finalists leading the way. Zach Shannon and Mike McCutcheon won titles for the Cavaliers, while Cavaliers teammate Justin Harold placed second.

Shannon posted a 15-4 major decision against Luke Taylor of Reynolds in the 152-pound final. McCutcheon registered a 3-1 win in the 160-pound final against Easton's Zack Barbary. Harold lost 4-3 to Mickey Bennett of Virginia's J.W. Robinson High in the 145-pound final.

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