HERSHEY — Curtis Nelson did not end as he wanted, but he walked away from the PIAA Class 3A tournament's championship round with head held high on Saturday after a 6-3 loss to Landon Sidun of Norwin, the state's top-ranked 114-pound wrestler.
Nelson, ranked sixth in Pennsylvania at 114, showed speed and quickness to take an early 2-0 lead, but Sidun gained control and secured a late takedown to win. No Ridley wrestler has achieved a higher placement at states than Nelson, who also won a medal last year.
“It was an intense match against a great wrestler,” said Ridley coach Ron Rainey, his phone receiving many text messages. “Everyone here is a great wrestler and we’re really proud of Curtis. We thought we had (Sidun). We got the first takedown. We thought he was going to get a couple of swipes with back points when he was on top. The referee didn’t see it that way, I guess. But the kid just held position so strong. He couldn’t penetrate after that first takedown.”
The texts were congratulatory and consoling for Nelson, who will rise in the rankings after making a strong impression on the state. Wrestling experts and long-time writers described Nelson in various ways, including unorthodox, energetic, and super-quick.
Nelson’s skill set is unique. He’s the guy who attacks after a calculated series of head fakes. Asked what makes Nelson special, Garnet Valley coach Chris Tate, who watched Nelson throughout the tournament, the Central League season and with the Black Sheep wrestling club in Concordville, was brief.
“He can do things that most people can’t,” Tate said. “Ridiculously athletic.”
Nelson also possesses class. More than a few of the losers at states barely make an effort to shake hands after the matches. Nelson not only gripped Sidun’s hand, but he also gave him a smile and patted him on the back. Pure class.
“He was playing it smart,” Nelson said of Sidun. “He was playing it so smart. I let him get a takedown and it shouldn’t have been that easy. … Later I was trying to fight but we were on the edge. I heard 15 seconds left. I knew I had to try something.”
The latter reference is to Nelson trying to force Sidun into a defensive pin with the clock winding down. Nelson was positioned but Sidun managed to roll out of it. All was said and done.
“I worked my butt off to get here, man,” Nelson said. “I feel pretty good about that. I’ll be back here next year better than ever. I’ll keep working. The work doesn’t stop.”
Only one other Delaware County wrestler medaled, and that was sophomore Michael Spielman of Strath Haven, who was eighth at 189 pounds. He sustained injuries after being body-slammed in the consolation round Friday, winning by disqualification over Brody Daugherty of Manheim Central. Thus, Spielman had to forfeit matches to Tucker Teats of Selinsgrove and James Deluise of Bethlehem Catholic.
Spielman is just the second wrestler from Strath Haven to medal, joining John Crawford, who was sixth in 2019.
Nelson has become part of the group of Ridley state medalists including Kirk Dabney (98 pounds), who finished third in 1976, Mike Flynn (185), who finished fourth in 1976, Chris Johnson (105), who finished fourth in 1978, and Ron Venit (185), who finished fourth in 1985.
Rainey expressed his relief that Nelson is a junior and will have the opportunity to compete again next year.
