Howard's Chris Poling (160) is playing the spoiler role this season.
Last week, he edged Friends' Ethan Goldberg, 13-12. Goldberg was a Maryland Scholastic Association champion last year, and over the weekend was a runner-up at the Independent Schools State Tournament.
Poling also owns a pin over Lackey's Billy Yeager, last year's Southern Maryland Athletic Conference champ, and two decision victories over Eastern Tech's Rex Marshall, a defending Baltimore County champ.
Poling's only losses are against Arundel's defending 3A-4A state champ, Mark Chesla, by 7-5, and by 8-7 to Hammond's Hansel Henry.
Independent states revisited
County residents Danny DeVivo (160, 27-1), David Inkman (140, 27-2) helped Mount St. Joseph capture the inaugural Maryland Independent Schools State Tournament Saturday at Bullis in Montgomery County.
DeVivo had two pins, a technical fall and a major decision in the tournament. Inkman had to overcome a 3-0 deficit for a 5-4 victory over DeMatha's Brian Page (140). Coached by Elkridge resident Dick Messier, DeMatha was second to Mount St. Joseph.
Also winning a crown for Mount St. Joseph was Tyran Dungee (145, 28-4), whose 12-1 hammering came over the host school's top-ranked Benny Ferro. Ferro entered at 26-1 with 17 pins and five technical falls.
Mount St. Joseph's runner-up Kenny Hunter (Hwt.) lost, 8-7, to McDonogh's top-ranked J. R. Plienis (27-1) on an escape with 40 seconds left. Plienis, whose teammates Martius Harding (171) and Dave Trudil (130) were second and third, respectively, had pinned Hunter earlier.
DeMatha's top-ranked Todd Beckerman (119), a Crofton resident, improved to 36-0 on the year and 136-1 for his career. Beckerman is a two-time National Prep Tournament champ.
Calvert Hall's (10th place) two champions were Gino Amasia (112, 34-2, 26 pins) and Brian Kapp (125, 29-1). Rob Johns (103, 28-3) was second.
Seventh place John Carroll was led by Greg Stotler (189, 24-1), who nearly pinned Landon's muscular Jack Cathirell (21-1) in an 8-1 victory. Teammates Jon Cohen (145), Andrew Dunn (152) and Mike Babiak (171) were fourth.
Curley was fifth in the 25-team field, getting third-place efforts from Sal Acquia (140) and Mickey Glendon (152), and a fourth-place finish from Mike Boettcher (125).
Gilman was sixth as Arman Taghizadeh (119), Kirk Caldroney (145) and Greg Plitt (171) overcame unfavorable seeds to place third, and Maakan Taghizadeh (112) was fourth.
Boys' Latin runner-up Tim Berger (135, 20-2), built a 7-0 lead in an 8-5 semifinal win over Georgetown Prep's Alex Abularach, who entered the bout at 21-1. The Lakers' Erik Fitez (160) also was a runner-up.
Mustangs on march
Garfield Thompson (119), Carl Levine (125), Wayne Lucas (135) and Carlos Levine (145) all pinned for Mervo in last week's 39-23 Interdivisional City League victory over Poly.
A 14-4 decision by Marco Epps (160) made the score an insurmountable, 36-23, with three bouts left -- one of which was a decision by teammate Aaron Brown (Hwt).
Mervo, coached by Dwight Warren, is 10-0 since losing season-openers to Calvert Hall and Perry Hall.