High school wrestling 2024-25: The top 20 teams in Minnesota to watch this season

To preview the high school wrestling season, staff writer Jim Paulsen compiled a list of the top 20 teams across Minnesota.

Note: All teams are in Class 3A unless noted

1. St. Michael-Albertville: The defending Class 3A champs are loaded, with elite talent at nearly every weight.

2. Mounds View: After a disappointingly decided loss in the 3A championship match, the Mustangs have a few holes to fill but a score to settle.

3. Shakopee: The Sabers were the highest-placing Minnesota team at the rugged Dan Gable Donnybrook invitational in Coralville, Iowa, over the weekend, finishing ninth out of 38 teams.

4. Simley (2A): Some believe the Spartans are backsliding just a bit, but after six straight 2A state titles, I refuse to underestimate them.

5. Kasson-Mantorville (2A): Many wrestling observers’ choice as the biggest threat to end Simley’s remarkable run.

6. Staples-Motley (1A): The Cardinals are plenty deep, with ranked wrestlers at 10 of 13 weights.

7. Chatfield (1A): The Gophers rolled over Staples-Motley in the 1A state finals a year ago. Staples-Motley returned the favor in the Class 2A football semifinals last month. Is this a burgeoning rivalry?

8. Watertown-Mayer/Mayer Lutheran (2A): With the Friederich brothers dominating early in matches, the Royals will spend most of their matches wrestling with a lead … which matters.

9. Stillwater: Last season, Mounds View supplanted Stillwater as the Beasts in the East (metro). But the Ponies are still a team to be reckoned with.

10. Becker (2A): Hoping to beat the Bulldogs? Better build a lead early because Becker looks strong at the middle weights.

11. Willmar: The Cardinals will go as far as the Carlson boys — Cavin at 145 pounds and Conlan at 152 pounds — can lead them.

12. Jackson County Central (1A): Never overlook a team coming off a football state championship. I can say the same for Becker.

13. Marshall (2A): There’s talent in this southwest Minnesota town, led by 114-pounder Lincoln Christenson and 127-pounder Landon Marthaler.

14. Albert Lea: Also coming off a top-10 finish at the Dan Gable Donnybrook, just one place behind Shakopee.

15. Northfield: Things are looking strong for the Raiders, who have five state tournament participants back and a thriving girls program.

16. Totino-Grace (2A): Led by the Refsnider brothers — Logan and Jackson — the Eagles have top talent bookending their lineup.

17. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (2A): The Rebels are big and burly, with strength at the upper weights. I love the name of senior heavyweight Roy Rude. Sounds like a headliner in the WWE.

18. Minneota (1A): See comment about never overlooking programs with recent state champion football teams. They know discipline, they know sacrifice, they know how to win.

19. Holdingford (1A): If the Huskers can pile up some team points at the lighter weights, they’ll put a lot of matches away once they reach the middle weights, where they look exceptional.

20. Hastings: With talent running through the light weights, expect the Raiders to pile up team points early.