Star Tribune staff writer Jim Paulsen ranks the top 10 wrestling teams in the metro regardless of class. All are Class 3A unless noted.
1. Apple Valley: Junior 170-pounder Mark Hall is generally considered to be, pound for pound, the best high school wrestler in the country.
2. St. Michael-Albertville: The addition of Jake Allar at 132 and the return of 2012 state champ Jordan Joseph at 182 helps the strong get even stronger.
3. Totino-Grace (2A): Led by Lance Benick, Kez Flomo, Jaxon Sommers and the Florell brothers, Isaac and Jared, the Eagles are legit Class 2A contenders.
4. Simley (2A): It's coach Will Short's first season since the death of father and longtime coach Jim Short. A little added motivation?
5. Shakopee: The Sabers are coming off a strong showing in winning Saturday's Waconia Duals.
6. Hastings: Among the Raiders' victories in winning the Hastings Duals was an impressive 39-25 victory over No. 7 Coon Rapids.
7. Coon Rapids: Three years ago, the Cardinals were ninth-grade state champs. Eight seniors from that team bring high hopes.
8. Prior Lake: Expect the Lakers to move up once top-ranked heavyweight Alex Hart, also an All-Metro linebacker, hits his stride.
9. Anoka: Freshman 113-pounder Tyler Eischens is a triple-crown winner, having won state titles in folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman.
10. Scott West (2A): The Panthers, led by defending Class 2A 160-pound champ Andrew Fogarty, cruised to victory at the Dick Shiels Invite in Faribault.
