When 336 wrestlers gather to compete on eight mats, something unexpected is bound to happen, right?

That hasn’t been case this decade in Maine high school wrestling, where nine schools have dominated the three classifications. Most of the same names, faces and colors are expected to populate the medal stand at Saturday’s state championships at the Augusta Civic Center.

In Class C, Lisbon and Dirigo have alternated first and second place the last three years, with the Greyhounds taking home the title in 2006 and 2008. Lisbon seeks its sixth state crown in in the last nine years coming off a commanding 212.5-point performance in last week’s regional meet.

Nine individual champions lead a contingent of 14 Greyhounds to the ACC. Forrest Cornell (112 pounds), Josh Pomerleau (119), Mike McNamara (125), Mike McManus (140), Marcus Bubar (145), Kyle Huston (152), Cam Bubar (171), Art Stambach (189) and Joe Doughty (215) will be top seeds out of the West. Last year, Cornell and Marcus Bubar were state champions at 103 and 140 pounds, respectively.

Dirigo will vie for its fourth state championship in school history with 12 wrestlers competing, including Western Maine champions Caleb Hall (103), Bryan Blackman (130), Brandon Jonaitis (135), Josh Palmer (160) and A.J. Carrier (285). Eastern C champion Bucksport and runner-up Dexter will try to break up Lisbon and Dirigo’s recent stranglehold on the top two spots.

Belfast brings 10 wrestlers to Augusta to defend its Class B title. Travis Spencer (189) leads seven Lions holding regional titles, and is favored to win the fourth state championship of his career. Western Maine champion Mountain Valley, which finished second to Belfast last year, hopes to take home its first state title since 2006 with 11 wrestlers competing Saturday. Western Maine champs Ernie Matthews (135 pounds), Joshua Thornton (140) and Matt Duka (152) top the Falcons’ roster. Oak Hill, which fell just one point shy of upsetting Mountain Valley at regionals, sends nine competitors, including regional champions Keith Madore (119), Craig Morrill (125), Dillon Tibbetts (160), Clyde Tibbetts (171), Nick Wells (189) and Adam Hathorne (215).

The last time the state’s best were decided in Augusta in 2007, Massabesic finally broke Noble’s eight-year run in Class A. The Mustangs followed that with a four-point win over the Knights for last year’s title, then added another Western Maine crown after topping Noble by 24.5 points last week. Cony, Mt. Ararat and Erskine Academy should be the top contenders out of Eastern Maine. Regional champion Gary Theriault of Mt. Blue will vie for the state title at 130 pounds.

The program will begin with opening ceremonies at 8:45 a.m., with wrestling to start at 9. Finals in all three classes is scheduled to begin no earlier than 4:45 p.m. Admission for the day is $7 for adults and $4 for for students. Concessions will be available throughout the day.