It is one of the most highly anticipated weekends of the wrestling season when the Mount Mat Madness starts up at CCBC-Catonsville, and day one has answered all the hype.

With just a three-point lead over second-place Caesar Rodney, two-time defending champion Wyoming Seminary looks to further its lead with 10 wrestlers still in the championship bracket.

Currently, the highest ranking Maryland-based team is DeMatha (54 points), sitting in eighth place and 20 points behind the leader, with John Carroll right on its heals at 52 points.

Patriots Scott Strappelli (119), George Weber (130), and Mathew Miller (171) all remain undefeated in the highly competitive tournament, battling for a chance at an MMM crown.

The elusive MMM title is still in reach for Centennial’s Nathan Kraisser, who has finished second and third in years past, as he pinned through his first day of wrestling and faces Strappelli in his first bout on Saturday.

Eight wrestlers are looking to repeat in again claiming top honors, including 103-pounder Kaleb LeMaire of Caesar Rodney, Smyrna’s Cody Broomall (135) and Michael Mauk (189), Southern Garrett’s Lex Ozias (152) and Bubba Scheffel (171), and John Carroll’s Miller (171).

Scheffel, in search of his third MMM title, would not face Miller till the tournament finals if both go through the bracket undefeated, but Miller has an earlier 4-3 wins over Bubba this past month that cut his winning-streak at 89 matches.

Wyoming Seminary’s Dome Malone is looking for this third MMM championship, retuning from the 112-pound weightclass.

But the only wrestler going for an outstanding fourth MMM title is Sussex Central’s Cody Combs, retuning from a past title at 145 and looking to add a crown at 152.

Wrestling is about to kick-off on Saturday morning, with the championship quarterfinals starting at 8:30 a.m.

For live results, visit mmmwrestling.com.

Teams Scores (Top 10)

1. Wyoming Seminary- 74
2. Caesar Rodney- 71
3. Robinson- 65
4. Smyrna- 58
5. Dallastown- 58
6. Sussex Central- 57
7. David Brearley- 55
8. DeMatha- 54
9. John Carroll- 52
10. Forest Park- 52

Tournament Schedule:

Saturday, January 15th
7:30 A.M. – Weigh-ins
Session II
8:15 – Coaches Meeting
8:30 – Championship ¼ Finals (4 mats)
8:30 – Consolation ¼ ’s #1 (2 mats; 4 mats at 10:30)
11:30 – Consolation ¼ ‘s #2 (4 mats)
12:00 – Championship Semi Finals (Mats #1 & #2)
2:00 – Consolation Semi Finals # 1(4 mats)
3:30 – Consolation Semi Finals # 2 (4 mats)

Session III – Finals
5:00 – Consolation Finals
5th and 6th on Mat #2
3rd and 4th on Mat #1
7:00 – Introduction of the Finalists – Parade of Champions
7:30 – Championship Finals