1998-99 Baltimore County wrestling previews

Public schools

Catonsville Comets

1997-98 record: 8-5

Coach: Doug Campbell

Top wrestlers: Wayne Wilson, Sr., 112; Leonard Jovenal, Sr., 160; Won Hill, Jr., 130; John Michner, Jr., 145; Doug McClain, Jr., 119

Outlook: A turnout of 33 wrestlers included six of last season's starters. The Comets' strength is in the lower weights. Wilson was third at regions.

Chesapeake Bayhawks

1997-98 record: Unavailable

Coach: Marvin Briscoe

Top wrestlers: Will Hovel, Sr., 171; Dominic Williamson, Fr., 135; Jeff Hammond, Jr., 145

Outlook: "I'm focusing on building a good rapport with the kids, building for the future," said Briscoe, who has just 13 wrestlers.

Dundalk Owls

1997-98 record: 4-7

Coach: Bob Hutsler

Top wrestlers: Steve Swedo, Sr., 171; Anthony Grasso, Sr., 125; Rob Holbrook, Jr., 119; Dave King, Jr., 160; Dave Poling, So., 152

Outlook: With 30 wrestlers, the Owls appear to be putting forward a full team "for the first time in a long while," Hutsler said. Holbrook was fourth at counties.

Dulaney Lions

1997-98 record: 11-3

Coach: Desi McNelis

Top wrestlers: Mike Hartzell, Sr., 135; Kevin Coors, Sr., 189; Adam Fields, Sr., 160; Mike Winters, Jr., 125; Steve Kwon, Jr., 135; Rob Leonard, Jr., 152

Outlook: Among eight returning starters for McNelis, who coached St. Paul's to a private-schools state title last season, are Winters (third at counties) and Hartzell and Fields, both third at regions.

Eastern Tech Mavericks

1997-98 record: 9-5

Coach: Joe Gast

Top wrestlers: Wes Woodard, Sr., 145; Travis Shirkey, Jr., 103; Eric Stark, Jr., 119; Nick Adams, Jr., 171; Lenny Swiger, Jr., 189; Josh Fortner, Jr., hwt., Kevin Cross, Jr., 152; Justin Birchfield, Jr., 135

Outlook: Gast hopes to capitalize on wrestlers up from last season's JV, which won the Baltimore County title. Woodard (third counties, second regions) leads a team with four returnees, three junior-league wrestlers, and two JV champs.

Franklin Indians

1997-98 record: 13-3

Coach: Scott Delpo

Top wrestlers: Joe Landsman, Sr., 152; John Schuster, Sr., 189; Stan Wagner, Jr., 119; Ryan Ridgely, Jr., 135; Luke Mays, So., 140; Andy Schuster, So., 171; Sam Mays, Fr., 145; Matt Schuster, Fr., 103

Outlook: Wagner, John Schuster, Luke Mays and Landsman were all in the top four at last season's counties and regions. Joining them are Matt Schuster and Sam Mays, recreation-league state champs last season. Andy Shuster was third at junior-league states.

Hereford Bulls

1997-98 record: 8-5

Coach: Brett Baier

Top wrestlers: C. J. Feldheim, Jr., 189; Eric Herzberg, Jr., 125; Jeff Epps, Jr., 112; Todd Yates, Jr., 145; Todd Leitzel, So., 130

Outlook: With only one senior and lots of balance, the Bulls will be better in dual meets than in tournaments. "We have a steady turnout of 40 kids, so we're solid, but next year will be the big year," Baier said.

Kenwood Bluebirds

1997-98 record: 6-10

Coach: Len Patrick

Top wrestlers: Ray Brown, Sr., 152; John Bornman, Jr., 125; Jeremy Neisser, Jr., 119; Patrick Leap, So., 103

Outlook: Assuming no injuries and with four starters back, Patrick is aiming at a .500 season.

Lansdowne Vikings

1997-98 record: 6-8

Coach: Randy Biden

L Top wrestlers: Ed Amoroso, Sr., hwt.; James Hartis, Jr., 145

Outlook: Biden, a former Westminster assistant, takes over and hopes to take his 22 wrestlers to a higher level.

Loch Raven Raiders

1997-98 record: 7-7

Coach: Keith Norris

Top wrestlers: Greg Walker, Sr., hwt.; Adam Carroll, Sr., 145-152; Jason Deyo, Sr., 160

Outlook: Walker, third at counties and first at regions last year, won last weekend's North East Tournament. He is among 10 returning starters.

Milford Mill

1997-98 record: 8-7

Coach: Brian Layman

Top wrestlers: Nick Lambert, Sr., 135; Reggie Johnson, Jr., 119-125; William Morton, So., 103-112

Outlook: Layman returned six starters among his 13 wrestlers and is aiming at .500.

Overlea Falcons

1997-98 record: 13-3

Coach: Bruce Malinowski

Top wrestlers: Derrick Oxendine, Sr., 152; Justin Mitchell, Sr., 189; Alfred Clark, Jr., 112; James Laubach, So., 135; Jason Laubach, So., 125; Mike Banks, Jr., hwt.

Outlook: Overlea won the county and region titles last season, and both Oxendine and Jason Laubach were county and region champs. Mitchell (county runner-up, region champ) and James Laubach (region runner-up) add depth, as does Clark (third at counties).

Owings Mills

1997-98 record: 25-2

Coach: Guy Pritzker

Top wrestlers: Drew Bowers, Sr., 135; Kenny Ricker, Sr., 171; Matt Summerlein, Sr., 160; Ryan Pritzker, Sr., 145; Harris Kaplan, 125; Justin Myers, Sr., 140; Scott Silverstein, Jr., 112; Clayton Arnold, Fr., 103

Outlook: Pritzker won his fifth straight Class 1A-2A duals region crown last year and goes for his 200th career win vs. Western tonight. Two-time region champ Bowers, region champ Matt Summerlein, Myers (region runner-up), Ricker (third region) and Silverstein (fourth region) all qualified for states. Kaplan (22 wins) and Ryan Pritzker (20 wins) look to improve. Arnold was a junior league runner-up.

Parkville Knights

1997-98 record: 7-7

Coach: Joe Passalacqua