Few people would have blamed Mount St. Joseph's 125-pounder Alex Ward if he would have wilted under pressure last night.

After all, he's a freshman wrestler in his first high school bout for the No. 1-ranked Gaels facing a large crowd at No. 2-ranked Chesapeake-Anne Arundel.

But Ward is no ordinary 15-year-old: He's the son of former NCAA champion Kelly Ward.

The younger Ward scored seven straight points, including three via the near fall, in a 7-6 upset of state runner-up Shane Fraser that sparked a 46-24 victory over defending 4A-3A state public school champion Chesapeake. (0-1).

"My father coached me in junior league and I saw all of his friends at NCAAs, but this is different," said Ward, whose father won two state titles at Kennedy of Montgomery County and another in New Jersey. "I don't really think about [being his son]. He doesn't pressure me too much like some parents can."

Counting Ward's victory, the Gaels (1-0) won six of the first seven bouts for a 28-6 lead. There were pins from Andrew Gold (103), Bruce Dulski (112), Bobby Kinsella (140), Mack Lewnes (152) and Jason Lanciotti (189). Dave Dulski (135) won by major decision, and Tim Bohlman (130) scored a pivotal 3-0 decision over state runner-up Steve Yaruta. Sam Lewnes (171) won by forfeit.

But Ward set the tempo.

"I was concerned because Fraser's really tough, but I was impressed with Alex's mental toughness," said Kelly Ward. "It was a lot of fun for me to come to a match like this, see good competition."

For Chesapeake, county and region champ Corey Bowers (119), county champ Jim Woodland (160) and Pat McLanigan won via pin, Chad LaPlanche (189) won by decision and county and region champ Chris Grove (145) won 10-8 in overtime against Dan Cannaday.

The match marked the first time the two programs have met in a dual-meet format, with the Gaels and the Cougars being ranked Nos. 1 and 2 by the Maryland State Wrestling Association.

That the showdown took place in Anne Arundel County also was appropriate: Its public schools have won a state-leading 14 state tournament championships, including three by Chesapeake. Adding to the rivalry is the fact that of the 28 wrestlers that make up the teams' combined lineups, only five do not have ties to the county. Many of the wrestlers come from the same junior leagues.

Gaels coach Jay Braunstein wrestled at Mount St. Joseph and assisted Mike Hampe when county power Old Mill won a record six state tournament titles. His assistant Danny Youngblood wrestled at Old Mill.

"We've all wrestled in junior league together, but we'll see them a couple of more times this year," Chesapeake's Bowers said. "At some point, we'll get some revenge."