An entire dual-meet season brought no answers.
For the first time, three teams -- Francis Scott Key, North Carroll and South Carroll -- are sharing the Carroll County title.
South Carroll's 50-18 win over Liberty on Wednesday left all three schools with 3-1 records in the county.
It sets the stage for what should be the most intriguing county tournament in quite some time tomorrow at North Carroll, with Westminster and Liberty also figuring in the mix. The preliminaries will begin at 11 a.m. and the finals at 7 p.m.
"It's going to be a tough tournament," said North Carroll first-year coach Bryan Wetzel. "You're talking three teams in Carroll County ranked in the top 10 in states."
Key coach Bill Hyson added, "Westminster and Liberty will have some say in different places and who gets bumped off."
Eight individual county champions are back from last year's tournament, won by North Carroll.
Each of the big three schools has its own advantages going into tomorrow's tournament.
No. 3 Key (12-1) has enjoyed plenty of success in tournament play this season -- including an impressive win in its own holiday tournament, beating No. 2 Old Mill among others, and a win more recently at South Hagerstown's Rebel Invitational with North Carroll and South Carroll both competing.
The Eagles also appear to have the most balance with defending county and state champs Zac Yinger (22-0 at 145 pounds) and Randy Owings (23-1 at 140) leading the way. Ryan Etzler (20-1 at 119), Matt Yinger (21-5 at 112) and Steve Lessard (20-4 at 135) are just a few of the Key wrestlers with winning records.
"The kids aren't going to be guilty of looking at results of the Rebel Invitational and compare that 12-team tournament with this five-team tournament," said Hyson.
"I like the strength of our overall schedule. We started with one of the tougher tournaments in the state at Annapolis, our own tournament is not a cakewalk and the Rebel Invitational is very tough. Carroll County wrestling is as good as you're going to get, too. It prepares you well for the postseason."
No. 7 North Carroll, winner of 11 of the past 12 county tournaments, has tradition on its side, along with the luxury of being at home. Corey Rill (22-1 at 125), Tom Kiler (20-3 at 135) and Bill Beltz (20-3 at heavyweight) captured county titles last season. Erik Hott (20-3 at 145) and Dameon Davis (18-4 at 119) have had banner seasons.
"I feel we have enough talent to do it, it's definitely an advantage being at home," said Wetzel. "If we can squeeze five champions I think we can win it. The team scores will be close. If anyone has a chance to run away from the rest, it will probably be Key."
No. 9 South Carroll, which set a school record this season with 12 wins, has shown how it can dominate in the upper weights. The Cavaliers (12-2) got pins in the final four bouts to upset Key.
Coach Pete Olson has two county champions back in defending state champ Mike Chenoweth (21-1 at 171) and Dan Peiffer (16-5 at 130), along with Dan Alberter (18-6 at 125), Charlie Conaway (22-2 at 152) and Steve Yokay (13-5 at 189).
Olson believes the semifinal and consolation rounds could determine the overall team outcome.
"I think the champions will be spread out and the team with the most finalists, not necessarily champions, could come out on top. The consolation points also will be big," he said.
"The top-flight guys are going to be there, it's who gets knocked off among the mid-flight guys."
Joe Smith (19-2) is the lone county champ returning for Liberty, while Westminster, the last team other than North Carroll to win the county tournament (1986), has no county champs back. Both teams have some wrestlers capable of bringing home an individual title.
Westminster's Bobby Biden (22-4 at 103) will be the wrestler to beat in his weight class. Matt Warner (17-4 at 125), Charlie Minor (20-8 at 140) and Jason Hare (21-9 at 171) are also tough.
Liberty's Scott Taylor (18-6 at 171) cannot be ignored. He gave Chenoweth a good go on Wednesday before losing by decision.