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Patriots look to pin down ninth state title
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Chase Russell and Old Mill can leave the 4A/3A State Tournament with the state’s most coveted trophy for the ninth time in the school’s history. — Arianne Starnes/Examiner
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Old Mill wasn’t expected to repeat as the Class 4A/3A state champion this season.
The Patriots field a much younger team than in previous years and were dealing with the transition of a Coach Dan Youngblood taking over for longtime Coach Jim Grim.
But Old Mill has defied expectations, and can leave the two-day state tournament at the University of Maryland’s Cole Field House with the state’s most coveted trophy for the ninth time in the Millersville’s school history.
The Patriots advanced eight to the state tournament — two more than last season — en route to winning the Class 4A/3A East Region Tournament this Saturday.
“We feel like we’re in great shape to win another state championship,” said Old Mill 119-pounder Willie Pumphrey, who finished third at regionals. “We not only have eight wrestlers advancing, but I’m confident that all eight will be able to place and score points for us.”
But Old Mill’s quest for another state title is not the only intriguing story line entering the event, which begins on Friday afternoon at 2:30 and concludes with the state finals on Saturday evening at 5:30.
Hereford 171-pound senior Josh Asper is four wins away from becoming just the third, four-time public school state champion in Maryland history, joining Aberdeen’s Matt Slutzky and Owings Mills’ Steve Kessler. Also, Annapolis 160-pound senior Bubby Graham is going after his third state title after winning a fourth 4A/3A East Region Tournament crown last week.
In 2A/1A, Glenelg seems to have rebounded well from its loss in the state dual meet final against Owings Mills. The Gladiators won five individual titles and advanced eight to the state tournament en route to repeating as 2A/1A South Region Tournament champions.
Glenelg senior Danny Bichner, who won the 135-pound region title, likes his team’s chances of winning the Howard County school’s first state championship after placing third last year — behind Southern-Garrett and champion Rising Sun of Cecil County.
“We’re a better tournament team than a dual meet team,” said Bichner, a two-time state runner-up. “I think Southern-Garrett will be our toughest challenger this week, but I like the draws each of us got in our brackets. To win a state title this week would be the culmination of so many years of hard work.”
Owings Mills coach Guy Pritzker also views Southern-Garrett as the top 2A/1A team. But the Eagles are wrestling pretty well, as the Baltimore County power won the 2A/1A North Region Tournament after placing behind Milford Mill at the Baltimore County Championships.
Owings Mills, which has won seven state tournament titles, advanced 10 to the state tournament, highlighted by its four region champions: Avi Friedman (103), Cody Rosen-Stone (140), Tony Mack (160) and Julio Trujillo (285).
“Those four guys have the chance to go far,” Pritzker said. “I’m always pleased whenever we send this many wrestlers to states, but I also know this tournament doesn’t always prove who has the best team. In a dual meet, everyone shares in the win. In a tournament, you can win with just four really good wrestlers.”
rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com
