Is Mount St. Joseph ready to resume its role as king

Following last year's 39-18, dual meet loss at then-top ranked Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference rival McDonogh, Mount St. Joseph heavyweight, Karl Green, left the Eagles' gymasium with mixed emotions, and intensity burning in his soul.

For even in team defeat, the then-sophomore had avenged an earlier, 3-2, loss to the Eagles' senior Lane Clelland, who had beaten Green on the way to Clelland's winning the prestigous Mount Mat Madness Tournament.

In addition, Green felt that his Gaels -- who were winning after three bouts, thanks, in part to his 2-1 victory over Clelland -- demonstrated that they were, in fact, regaining their swagger in the wake of earlier upset losses to MIAA A Conference rival Archbishop Curley and eventual, Class 2A-1A public schools' tournament champion, Glenelg of Howard County.

"Last year, I lost to [Clelland] at the dual meet, at the Mount Mat Madness, and then he placed ahead of me at MIAA's. I had to go out there and win this match. I was definitely pumped up," said Green, who was a double-All-American this past summer by placing in the nationals in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling.

"We have a great group of guys up and down the lineup. I knew we weren't going to come in here and get handled, and I just don't feel like that's what happened tonight," Green said, staring at the scoreboard with a fire in his eyes. "I believe that we showed that we're still a real good team, and we're looking to bounce back at [the MIAA tournament.]"
 
The Gaels never did catch up to last year's Eagles, who won their fourth straight titles in the MIAA duals and tournaments, as well as their fourth straight private schools state tournament.

But they may well just do it this season, with Green, a junior, returning to 285 and being among the Gaels' nine returning state place-winners.

"I feel that we have the talent and balance to become nationally-ranked. But in order to do so, we'll need to have strong performances at the Beast of the East, Powerade, Cedar Cliff Duals and the USMC Ultimate Challenge," said coach Kirk Salvo, who also has added a dual meet opposite Class 2A-1A public schools state tournament runner-up Southern Garrett County.

"New guys are picking up on the intensity and bringing a rugged mentality back into the room," said Salvo, a St. Joseph graduate and former Maryland Scholastic Association titlist. "I'm looking for great things for this team this year."

Salvo's plans for this year's Gaels are "many and ambitious," he said, adding that he wants to "promote excellence and humility in each individual by setting realistic, worthy goals."

"First and foremost, we are striving to regain distinction as the top team in the state," Salvo said. "That requires winning the MIAA dual meet championship, winning the MIAA tournament championship, winning the [private schools state] tournament championship and being the highest placing MD team at Mount Mat Madness," Salvo said.

After finishing second in each of the Mount Mat Madess, MIAA and private schools' state tournaments as a 103-pound freshman, the Gaels' then-sophomore Frankie Goodwin was among the favorites to win all three last season.

Goodwin did take the crown at MMM, but missed the MIAAs and private schools states with a jaw injury. Goodwin rebounded, however, with a strong National Preps Tournament runner-up finish to end the year. Goodwin will rise from 112 to 119 this season.

Also returning is junior MIAA and private schools champ Bobby Bowman (160), as well as junior Benny Schaufele (135) and senior Danny Orem (140).

Orem followed up his- runner-up efforts at MIAAs by winning private schools state titles. Schaufele was an MIAA champ and private schools state runner-up.

Talented newcomer freshman, Tyler Goodwin (103), Frankie's younger brother, takes over at the lowest weight for Alex Rice (112), a sophomore who was second at MIAAs and private schools states.

"In addition, there are several other varsity letter-winners, JV wrestlers and incoming freshmen that will contend for a position in the starting line-up," Salvo said. "Altogether, the program lists 67 wrestlers of varied experience on the early-season roster."
 

MOUNT ST. JOSEPH'S PROJECTED VARSITY LINEUP:


103: Tyler Goodwin, freshman -- Accomplished junior league wrestler could contend for top honors this year, as did his brother, Frankie, two years ago. "Very explosive and scores a bunch of points," said coach Kirk Salvo. "Tyler's is a very aggressive style."

112: Alex Rice, sophomore -- A runner-up at the MIAA and private schools state tournaments, look for this sophomore to perhaps improve on each of those performances this season. Rice was 39-16 last year.

119: Frankie Goodwin, junior -- Last year's National Preps runner-up was second at MIAAs and private schools states as a freshman, but missed both tournaments last year due to injury. A returning Mount Mat Madness Invitational titlist, Goodwin, during the offseason, also was the highest Maryland placewinner at the recent Super 32 Tournament in North Carolina. Goodwin has 55 career pins and is 96-14 for his career.
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125:  Graceson Pastirik, senior -- The senior stands to improve on his season of a year ago, when he placed fourth at MIAAs, and fifth at the private schools state tournament. The co-captain was 40-17 last season.

130: Gino Pollock, junior -- After finishing fifth at MIAAs and sixth at states last season, Pollock has returned a more veteran wrestler and is expected, by Salvo, to be improved as he helps to solidify the middle of the Gaels's lineup. Pollock was 25-18 a year ago.

135: Benny Schaufele, junior -- This returning MIAA champion finished as runner-up at states last year, and was fifth at the National Preps tournament as a freshman. Salvo expects him to surpass last year's accomplishments. Schaufele is 71-25 for his career.

140: Danny Orem, senior: The returning MIAA runner-up was a private schools state titlist and placed sixth at the National Preps Tournament. Orem will serve as a team co-captain. Orem has a 69-32 career record.

145: Shane Cannaday, senior -- Cannaday is another MIAA placewinner and veteran wrestler whose practice regimen indicates taht he has stepped up his game. Cannaday was 26-20 a year ago.

145: Colin Bohlman, junior -- A junior varsity champion last year, Bohlman will push Cannaday in pursuit of a starting role for the Gaels. Bohlman had an 8-4 varsity record last season.

152: Tyler Tippett, sophomore -- The talent is in his genes, as the younger brother of former MIAA and private schools state champ, Ricky Tippett, of McDonogh. Tyler was a JV champ last season.

160: Bobby Bowman, junior -- Bowman has a break-through season during his second year with the Gaels, earning titles in the MIAA and private schools state tournaments and placing fifth at the pretigious Mount Mat Madness Invitational. It's not far-fetched to expect more of the same from this talented youngster. Bowman was 19-20 as a freshman, but made a massive improvement by going 25-7 last year.