Maybe there is strength in numbers ... at least that's what Mt. Lebanon High School wrestling coach Bill Lewis is hoping.

He used 25 wrestlers in at least one varsity match during the regular season.

"I certainly didn't plan on using that many kids," Lewis said. "Injuries forced my hand. We had seven kids out of the lineup for our first 11 dual meets, including two who were lost for the season. It was tough, but we got over the bump in the road and had a very good season."

Mt. Lebanon finished the season with a 10-10 record and earned its first WPIAL team tournament berth in 24 years.

"Most of our starters who were out earlier in the season are back for the postseason individual tournaments," Lewis said. "We're looking forward to the section tournament, especially considering we are the host team. It really helps to have the tournament at our gym."

The Section 5-AAA tournament will take place Saturday. The top four individuals in each weight class qualify for the WPIAL Class AAA tournament, scheduled for next week (Feb. 26-28) at Canon-McMillan.

Mt. Lebanon's lineup features three individuals who qualified for the WPIAL tournament last season, Andy Buttlar, Adam Kemerer and Chris Kostas. All three placed fourth in the section, at 103, 112 and 135, respectively. Buttlar returns at 103, while the other two have moved up one weight class. Kemerer is at 119 and Kostas at 140.

"The experience they picked up at last year's tournament will no doubt help," Lewis said. "We're expecting all three to be serious contenders for section titles."

Connor O'Hara was also a WPIAL qualifier for the Blue Devils last year, but their 285-pound senior will not be making a return trip. O'Hara sustained a season-ending knee injury in Mt. Lebanon's second scrimmage.

Canon-McMillan's Colin Ryan, a third-place finisher at 152, has also been sidelined. The 152-pound junior is out with a separated shoulder.

Canon-McMillan and West Allegheny each have three returning section champions.

Ron Schram and Sam Brownlee are two-time champs for Canon-McMillan, while Nick Catalano is a one-time winner.

Schram, a 119-pound senior, won titles at 103 and 112, then placed second at 125 last year. Brownlee returns at heavyweight after winning titles two of the past three years. Catalano has moved to 130 after winning at 125 last year.

"Sam and Nick qualified for the PIAA tournament last year," Canon-McMillan coach Chris Mary said. "Our hope is to have all three qualify this year."

Troy Reaghard, Aaron McKinney and Jake Leninsky are West Allegheny's returning section champions.

Reaghard is entered at 171 after winning titles at 145 and 152 the last two years. McKinney won at 125 last year and is now at 145. Leninsky has moved to 189 after winning at 171 last year.

"The deepest weight class in Section 5 is at 171 pounds," said West Allegheny coach Mike Johnson, when asked which of his three returning champions had the toughest road to winning another title. "There are four quality kids at 171."

Also entered at 171 are Chartiers Valley's Tyler Wilps, Trinity's Kyle McWreath and Hopewell's Derhon Towler. Wilps and McWreath were both fourth-place finishers last year.

Montour's David Baker and Hopewell's Matt Hundenski are the other two returning section champs. Baker captured the 112-pound title last year and is now competing at 125. Hundenski has moved to 152 after winning at 145 last year.