It's a new wrestling season, but it's the same story in the Baltimore County public schools race.
Owings Mills, Perry Hall and Eastern Technical should be the teams everyone else is chasing.
In Class 3A-4A, Perry Hall (16-1), which lost to Frederick in the state semifinals of dual-match competition, has Jeff Langrehr taking over for longtime Gators coach Al Miller. The Gators won a close dual-meet match over Eastern Tech and coach Joe Gast, who hopes his Mavericks can take Perry Hall this year.
The Gators' biggest problems could be the heavyweight spot and a few tough matches.
"I think we have a balanced, hard-working team," said Langrehr. "I think with hard work, there's really no limitations."
Eastern Technical (11-2) should give Perry Hall a run in Class 3A-4A. The Mavericks lost to Perry Hall in the dual-meet region championship last year and finished second to the Gators at the county tournament.
The Mavericks, led by defending county champions Joe Catlin (119-125) and Rex Marshall (160), return seven starters -- four of whom made the states.
The Mavericks also will benefit from the addition of strong junior league and junior varsity talent. If the young wrestlers develop, the Mavericks should be very strong.
Franklin and Kenwood also should fare well in Class 3A-4A. Eight returnees should give coach John Tartal and Franklin (9-3) a big boost. For Kenwood (10-5) and coach Len Patrick, the first seven weight classes should provide plenty of points.
Owings Mills (14-1) should challenge Perry Hall and Eastern Tech, let alone be the class of the 1A-2A teams. Under coach Guy Pritzker, the Eagles have nine returning varsity wrestlers plus a bunch of new junior league and junior varsity talent.
Owings Mills edged Aberdeen to win its fourth straight region title last year, and the combination of returning varsity wrestlers and new ones should make the Golden Eagles strong again.
Sparrows Point and Hereford also should do well in Class 1A-2A. The Pointers (7-7) feature a strong lineup in the lower weight classes and could break through for coach Jim Pfeiffer.
Upperclassmen should carry Hereford (12-3). The Bulls bring back several seniors for coach Jim Long, and they should have a good year if new wrestlers can fill some holes.
Of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association's four Baltimore County contingents, Loyola again appears to have the most balance for dual-meet competition, while McDonogh has the best individuals as each pursues favored Mount St. Joseph.
The Dons return eight starters from last year's 7-2 squad, led by Nick Hollick (135 pounds), who has been fourth in the league-ending tournament the past two seasons.
McDonogh, last year's MIAA runner-up to Mount St. Joseph, will rely heavily on its upper weights, while Loyola has middleweight strength.
Calvert Hall, with a narrow season-opening loss to Gilman, served notice that it also can be a threat. The Cardinals are led by first-year coach Henry Franklin, formerly an assistant at Curley.
Standouts for the Cardinals (0-10 last year) are two-time MIAA champ Gino Amasia (119), a returning All-Metro pick, and MIAA champ Brian Kapp (130), whose present 8-0 record includes a title in the season-opening Maryland Catholic Tournament at Curley.
St. Paul's (6-5 last year) returns senior George McCulloch (145), who was fourth in last year's MIAA tournament, and Baruke Griffin (130) along with 26 wrestlers -- 17 of whom are freshmen.
TOMORROW
Previews of Baltimore City high school wrestling teams and the Preseason Top 15 poll will appear in tomorrow's editions.