Hampe

Sixth-ranked Don Patterson (189 pounds, 20-5) pinned Joe Torsella in 3:28, lifting No. 4 Old Mill to a 27-26 upset of No. 2 North Carroll -- and coach Mike Hampe's 200th career victory -- yesterday at Old Mill."

When coaches claim that Anne Arundel County has the strongest wrestling in the state, they invariably point first to Old Mill.The Patriots have won five of the past six Class 3A-4A state championships, with Broadneck first bringing the title to the county in 1988.Old Mill's unprecedented string of five was snapped last year. But the Patriots still finished third, 4 1/2 points behind champion Northern of Calvert, which edged runner-up Frederick by a half-point. Old Mill did that despite producing only one individual champion.

Finally, it's here -- the northern county's mat showdown between No. 3 Old Mill and No. 5 Northeast.The teams will strap on their head gear at 7 tonight at Old Mill, and some two hours later, speculation should end as to which team is better -- Mike Hampe's four-time 4A-3A state champion Old Mill Patriots (11-1) or the once-powerful Eagles (12-0), whose program has been revived by 23-year coach Al Kohlhafer.Old Mill and Northeast are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, by the Maryland State Wrestling Association.

Tonight, county fans can witness a milestone as No. 2 Old Mill visits No. 3 Northeast in what is believed to be the state's first dual-meet clash of defending state champs.The county is the first to share the 1A-2A state crown, won by Northeast (12-1), and the 3A-4A version, held by five-time champion Old Mill (13-2).Last year's 37-13 Northeast loss increased Old Mill's lead to 6-2 in the series. The Eagles won 38-9 in 1977 and 31-21 in 1978 -- Old Mill coach Mike Hampe's first two seasons.

Send no regrets for Old Mill.The most successful wrestling team in state history flexed its muscles in a big way last night against a Meade squad that entered the match off an upset victory over Northeast.Old Mill brought Meade down to earth with a major thud, pinning a 48-16 defeat on the Mustangs before a large crowd at Old Mill.The Patriots bolted to a 36-0 lead after the first seven bouts, clinching a tie before Meade even tasted its first win.So much for all the talk that the 12th-ranked and defending 3A-4A state champions were headed for a down year on the mat."

Chesapeake had a start to remember last night against Old Mill.But visiting Old Mill came up with an ending the Cougars would rather forget.No. 3 Old Mill, after losing three of the first four matches, rebounded to win five in a row and seven of the final nine for a 43-25 victory over No. 10 Chesapeake in an Anne Arundel County match.Old Mill (9-0, 8-0) used its strengths in the middle and upper weights to take control of the match.After the fourth bout, the Patriots scored five pins to lock up the victory.

It was her 15th birthday, but last night was torturous for Beth Hampe. She was in the stands as No. 6 Broadneck faced her father, Old Mill wrestling coach Mike Hampe, and his No. 2 Patriots."

Old Mill and North Carroll's wrestling teams met Friday night to do what Georgia Tech and Colorado could not: break a first-place tie.A huge spotlight hung over the mat as the teams -- both ranked No. 1 by the Maryland State Wrestling Association -- wrestled an exciting match in front of packed stands and a boisterous crowd.Old Mill's Ernie Longazel (189 pounds) ended the high drama by locking up the victory -- and the top spot. Longazel's 5-3 decision over North Carroll's Bill Lubking (10-4)

Old Mill's fifth-ranked Todd Hultgren (152, 21-5) has been the spark to the Patriots' fire.The top seed for this weekend's county tournament, Hultgren sacrificed for the team by wrestling up at 160 pounds all year and still decked 15 opponents. His pin total ties him with sophomore teammate Don Patterson (189, 19-4).Among Hultgren's losses this year are a 10-3 decision to then-top-ranked Kevin Neville (Mount St. Joseph) and a 4-2 loss to third-ranked state champion Johnny Montgomery (Randallstown)