1. Mount Saint Joseph

Coach: Harry Barnabae, ninth season

Last season: 14-0, No. 1

Postseason: MIAA tournament champion, MIS tournament champion, third at National Preps

Outlook: The Gaels enter the season with four Division I commits and two nationally ranked wrestlers, and they remain the class of the area and state. They are ranked No. 28 in the country by InterMat.

2. McDonogh

Coach: Pete Welch, 27th season

Last season: 18-6, No. 2

Postseason: MIAA tournament runner-up, MIS tournament runner-up, seventh at National Preps

Outlook: The Eagles expect to compete with Mount Saint Joseph for the top spot in the MIAA again this winter. They feature four MIAA champions and two finalists to pair with a talented freshman class.

3. Archbishop Spalding

Coach: Mike Laidley, 19th season

Last season: 33-4, No. 3

Postseason: Fourth at MIAA tournament, third at MIS tournament, ninth at National Preps

Outlook: The Cavaliers have another young but talented squad and will feature a full lineup for the first time in a while.

4. Loyola Blakefield

Coach: Steve Truitt, 15th season

Last season: 17-6, No. 6

Postseason: Third at MIAA tournament, fifth at MIS tournament, 25th at National Preps

Outlook: The Dons have three freshmen who placed at junior league states last year and four returnees who finished in the top seven at the MIS state tournament.

5. C. Milton Wright

Coach: John Thornton, fourth season

Last season: 18-6, No. 13

Postseason: UCBAC tournament runner-up, 3A North region dual runner-up

Outlook: The Mustangs have been building for this season and beyond for more than three years now, and their window to win the UCBAC conference and the 3A North region is open.