Extrapolating this question/thread out to the Opens/State...Top 3+ State Teams
The Opens are about getting as many placers as possible, with some support from other wrestlers. For example, Xavier and Warde for the last year’s Open with each placing 2nd/109 points and 3rd/103 points, respectively. Xavier sent nine wresters, while Warde sent five. Warde placed all five, while Xavier placed four out of the eight. The real difference was that Warde did not get the early-round support with non-placing wrestlers, while Xavier did. Thus, the important aspect is to look at both quality and quantity…
Here is my pre-season guess to the rankings for the Opens/States. Now mind that this is for the Opens and not necessarily for dual meets, but these two are closely associated.
1. Danbury
2. Simsbury
3. Warde
4 to 6: Xavier, BE, Joel Barlow
Danbury has four returning Open placers, which is the most of any team for the 2019-2020 season. Additionally, as Danbury sends many other wrestlers to the Open, which also adds to their overall result.
Simsbury and Warde return three Open placers each; however, Simsbury has the additional depth that Warde doesn’t, thus Simsbury ahead of Warde. Nonetheless, as Warde illustrated last year, quality over quantity goes a long way (Warde sent five to the Opens and placed all five, while Simsbury sent eight and placed four).
Similar to that in the Class Ls, Xavier and BE both look to contend for the 4th & 5th slot. Both of these teams had two place and one other losing in the blood round. However, Xavier returns six Open wrestlers, while BE returns four. Thus, Xavier returns more depth.
The team to possibly watch out for within the Opens/State is Joel Barlow. JB placed two in the Opens last year, with two others losing in the blood round. If these other two wrestlers progress on to place, JB could do well come the end of February. However, JB does not have the depth behind these four, which could limit JB’s overall performance. Additionally, JB will do well in tournaments, but in dual meets be limited due to the lack of depth in other weights. In the end, I wouldn't be surprised with JB making a push up in the overall result in the 2019-2020 end of season tournaments, like the Opens (teams placing four tend to end up in the top few teams).
Extrapolating this question/thread out to the Opens/State...Top 3+ State Teams
The Opens are about getting as many placers as possible, with some support from other wrestlers. For example, Xavier and Warde for the last year’s Open with each placing 2nd/109 points and 3rd/103 points, respectively. Xavier sent nine wresters, while Warde sent five. Warde placed all five, while Xavier placed four out of the eight. The real difference was that Warde did not get the early-round support with non-placing wrestlers, while Xavier did. Thus, the important aspect is to look at both quality and quantity…
Here is my pre-season guess to the rankings for the Opens/States. Now mind that this is for the Opens and not necessarily for dual meets, but these two are closely associated.
1. Danbury
2. Simsbury
3. Warde
4 to 6: Xavier, BE, Joel Barlow
Danbury has four returning Open placers, which is the most of any team for the 2019-2020 season. Additionally, as Danbury sends many other wrestlers to the Open, which also adds to their overall result.
Simsbury and Warde return three Open placers each; however, Simsbury has the additional depth that Warde doesn’t, thus Simsbury ahead of Warde. Nonetheless, as Warde illustrated last year, quality over quantity goes a long way (Warde sent five to the Opens and placed all five, while Simsbury sent eight and placed four).
Similar to that in the Class Ls, Xavier and BE both look to contend for the 4th & 5th slot. Both of these teams had two place and one other losing in the blood round. However, Xavier returns six Open wrestlers, while BE returns four. Thus, Xavier returns more depth.
The team to possibly watch out for within the Opens/State is Joel Barlow. JB placed two in the Opens last year, with two others losing in the blood round. If these other two wrestlers progress on to place, JB could do well come the end of February. However, JB does not have the depth behind these four, which could limit JB’s overall performance. Additionally, JB will do well in tournaments, but in dual meets be limited due to the lack of depth in other weights. In the end, I wouldn't be surprised with JB making a push up in the overall result in the 2019-2020 end of season tournaments, like the Opens (teams placing four tend to end up in the top few teams).