Wyoming Seminary, which won the Mount Mat Madness title a year ago despite being without five of its top wrestlers, is at nearly full strength for the seventh annual event and shows every sign it can win again.
With all 12 of its competing wrestlers advancing to today's quarterfinal round, Wyoming took an 81-70.5 lead over St. Mark's. Wrestling resumes today at 8:30 a.m. with the finals scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Mount St. Joseph, which hosts the tournament at the Community College of Baltimore County in Catonsville, was the highest-placed local team after the first day. The Gaels were fourth, with 61.5 points, led by 171-pounder Bobby Bowman, the only area wrestler to have a No. 1 seed, and by No. 2 seed Karl Green. Both won by pins.
"It's pressure to be a No. 1 seed," said Bowman, who is 19-3 after missing most of last season with Lyme disease. "But ... I've been working really hard."
"He came back this season more determined," said coach Paul Triplett. "His attitude was different and his work ethic has improved."
