Trinity is ranked #1 as of right now,

But I see a few teams that have huge potential to steal the title away from them.

The first one is Ryle. You've got Belk ranked #4 when he beat the #1 twice. And has never lost to him. He could take the title. Then you've got logan Erdman, jake Erdman, jack Dorne, Johnny Meiman, who are all ranked 1-3. You get 3 state champs out of them and a 2nd or 3rd place, they will do much better than 6th. The other one is Fern Creek. Looking at the rankings, fern creek has a lot of guys ranked #3 and 4. If some of those guys like Binder and Henehan and Dodd. If these guys pull off a few upsets, they are definitely in the run. Not to mention you've got Vega. Anyway, those are just my opinions. We will have to wait and see who looks good this season.

I think it's Trinity's to lose. The 4 juniors--Duncan, Hiedorf, Barton, and Frankfrone have done off season tourneys....so I'm guessing they've improved. They had a couple of more placers last year too that I believe are Seniors now. (Miozza and Corolla--looked them up). The teams you mentioned are solid and I've seen some of their names for off season things as well. Binder, Henehan, Vega, Cambron and others worked hard with ETC this summer....but heard Branch isn't wrestling? Ryle is always going to be Ryle...even if they are "down". Always a great program. Unfortunately, with the random seeding it could come down to some ridiculously huge quarters matches that may swing the gate one way or another.

Branch is wrestling. 

Oh boy....here we goooo!  Which is why we need to seed the freaking tournament.  But it won't happen because it makes too much sense.

Firemans34.  That random draw could hurt any team including Trinity. And Trinity is not the only team who has had guys working in the offseason.  I agree Trinity has a shot but by no means a shoe in.

Pretty bold to say it's Trinity's to lose.  Just puts a bullseye on their back.

Just looking at who placed and who has done things in the off season (off season=improvement....usually). they have a lot of both. I didn't put a bullseye on their back, the rankings did. Like I said, the random draw gate can swing in both directions. Even though the quarters could provide a 1 vs 2 type match that could change a team's fortune, it may still come down to advancement points in the first couple of rounds with the kids who exceed expectations on any of the teams. The three teams I mentioned are all in it, no question.

Individual State champions do not always equal a team title.  Just look at Trinity in 89 they had 0 State champions and earned the team title.  The next year 90 they had 3 state champions and the team title went to Campbell which had only 1 individual title.

An early loss in the quarters can actually mean more team points for their team if they come back and place 3rd instead of 2nd.  The placement points is only a 3 point difference.  The loser of the quarters could win 4 more matches to place 3rd.  Whereas the winner (assuming he would get 2nd) would only win 1 more match.  Plus it is easier to earn extra points in the conso's than in the simi finals.

What you need to look at is how many placers a team will have.  That is the team to look at.  If you can place 8 or more at the state tourney then your in the hunt for the team title.

I think is a year where the competition will be tight and getting 8 placers will be tough. With that said we should see an exciting team race that comes down to the finals with a number of teams in the running.

I think Walton Verona is going to impress a young team but very scrappy I personally believe Roth is a lot better than where he is ranked

Hopefully we get a ranking update as soon as fat test results come through.

I wouldn't sleep on X just yet.

Strong throughout the lineup. I think we qualify 12 of 14, but it depends on how many place obviously.

145 down is as good as anyone, middles good plus Lampe. Heavys are much improved.

Can't wait for the battles to start. Good luck to everyone and can't wait to see all you guys. Roll out the mats!

Yep, that's why I have them as the dual favorite. A lot obviously comes down to how the draws fall and which kids step it up in February.

X and Trinity will always be competitive at the state because of the number of wrestlers they will qualify. 

as usual grappler of old is spot on. its about # of placers, and it doesn't really matter much if they are top 2 placers or just 5-8 as long as they are rackin up team points

in the 16 man bracket days coach parks used to say 10 placers and you're hard to beat.

Ryle looks good this year.  Hoping Jake Erdman decides to come back and help lead the raiders.  He is a stellar kid, and I hope he decides to finish his senior year wrestling.