The Franklin Indians wrestling team is ready to welcome 16 teams to tomorrow's Invitational Tournament in Reisterstown. And, said coach Mike Slaughter, they're also ready to compete against them better this year than in the past five years.

"The last time we actually won our tournament was somewhere around 2003 or 2006," sais Slalughter. "This year, we have a very young team, with four freshmen starters, but they're all doing very well and I think we have a very strong chance of being in the Top 3. A better chance than in the last five years that I've been here."

To be among the Top 3, Franklin (4-2) will have to knock off some strong challengers - undefeated and No. 6 ranked Owings Mills, who returns as the defending champion, Hereford, who placed second last year, and North Carroll, who was third and is off to a strong 9-4 start this season.

Also in the field are City College, Perry Hall, Overlea, North Harford, Eastern Tech, Northwestern, Mount Airy Christian Academy, Western Tech, Glen Burnie, Towson, Northeast, Randallstown, Joppatowne.

The two-day tournament begins Friday with championship preliminaries at 4 p.m. on four mats, continue with championship quarterfinals at 7 p.m. and a consolation elimination round at 8:30.

Saturday the event gets going with consolation preliminaries at 9:30 a.m., followed by the championship semis and consolation quarters at 11 a.m, the consolation semis at 1:30 p.m., place matches for third and fifth at 2:30 p.m. and the championship finals at 5 p.m.