St. Edward (Ohio) has captured 37 state championships in wrestling and 11 national titles, making it the winningest high school wrestling program in the state of Ohio and among the most highly regarded wrestling programs in the United States.

The Eagles begin the season ranked No. 4 in the InterMat Fab 50 high school wrestling rankings and are one of 23 Fab 50 teams using MatBoss, wrestling's premier videostats app.

St. Edward has won five consecutive Division I state titles, eight of nine, and 21 of 23. The Eagles are led by nationally ranked state champions Padraic Gallagher (160) and Bryce Hepner (152), along with six additional returning state tournament participants.

Three other national top-10 wrestling programs are using MatBoss this season: No. 5 Detroit Catholic Central (Michigan), No. 8 Montini Catholic (Illinois) and No. 9 Tuttle (Oklahoma).

Detroit Catholic Central has won three consecutive Division 1 state titles, six of eight, and seven of the last ten. The Shamrocks are anchored by four nationally ranked wrestlers: Dylan Gilcher (106), Josh Edmond (138), Derek Gilcher (160), and Steven Kolcheff (285). They feature four additional returning state medalists, and two other returning state qualifiers.

Montini Catholic has won back-to-back state championships in Illinois Class 3A and state titles in 10 of the last 12 seasons. The Broncos are led by a pair of nationally ranked University of Michigan signees, Dylan Ragusin (126) and Fidel Mayora (152). They also feature four additional state medalists and another wrestler with state experience.

Tuttle has claimed 11 consecutive individual state tournament titles and ten straight in the dual team state tournament; nine consecutive years with ten or more placers at the state tournament. The Tigers are led by Oklahoma State signees Luke Surber (170) and Dustin Plott (182). Both are ranked inside the top three nationally at their weight class. They return three other state champions and five additional with appearances on the state podium.

Below is a look at the rest of the Fab 50 teams using MatBoss.


Jerry Best is head wrestling coach of the Allen (Texas) Eagles, ranked No. 11 in the nation (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)

No. 11 Allen (Texas): Winners of ten straight state titles, the Eagles are led by four nationally ranked wrestlers: Braxton Brown (113), Anthony Ferrari (145), Elsie Brown Ton (160), and A.J. Ferrari (220). Four other wrestlers on the roster have state placement finishes in their career.

No. 15 Elyria (Ohio): 2018-19 marked a fifth consecutive season in the national team rankings for the Pioneers, who scored a program-high 143 points in finishing third at the Ohio big-school state tournament. Elyria is anchored by three nationally ranked wrestlers: Dylan Shawver (126), state champion Mick Burnett (138), and Jake Evans (182); while other key wrestlers include state champion Peyton Fenton (113), state runner-up Enrique Munguia (160), along with state placers Bryce Allison (120) and Nate Burnett (132).

No. 17 Brighton (Michigan): The Bulldogs finished as state runner-up for a second straight season in 2018-19, and return eight state medalists from last year's team, led by state champion Eddie Homrock (138). Other multi-time state placers returning for Brighton include Mason Shrader (126), Sam Freeman (132), Zach Johnson (145), Dane Donabedian (170), and Luke Stanton (285).

No. 19 Southeast Polk (Iowa): The Rams ended last season nationally ranked for an eighth straight year and earned their fourth dual team title in the last seven seasons; the runner-up finish in the individual tournament marked a ninth straight top four finish in the state tournament, and 10th in 11 years. This year's team is anchored by nationally ranked returning state champion Gabe Christenson (195), while six other Southeast Polk wrestlers have state experience: returning medalist Justin Brindley (182), Joel Jesuroga (132), Camden Baarda (152), Deveyan Montgomery (160), Kaleb Runyon (220), and Connor Brown (285); also expected to make significant contribution is impact freshman Nathan Jesuroga (106).

No. 20 Shakopee (Minnesota): Winning their first team state title, the Sabres ended the 2018-19 season as a nationally ranked team for the third straight year. State champions Paxton Creese (120) along with Pierson (126) and Carson (170) Manville anchor this year's squad, while five additional wrestlers with a state podium finish compliment: Blake West (113), Ben Lunn (132), Connor Raines (160), along with Joey (195) and Tommy (220) Johnson.

No. 22 Brecksville (Ohio): The Bees have finished in the top five of the individual state tournament each of the last season years, and have been nationally ranked in six of those seasons, including three straight headed into this year. Anchoring this year's team are a pair of nationally ranked wrestlers: Victor Voinovich (145) and Ethan Hatcher (220); Ben Vanadia (182) is a returning state runner-up and Jimmy Carmany (132) is a two-time state placer; while James Bronstrup (138) and Anthony Rizzo (170) return as state qualifiers.

No. 24 Stillwater (Minnesota): After last year's runner-up finish at team state in their third successive appearance, the Ponies seek to reach new heights in the 2019-20 season with a first finish in the national rankings, and then some. They are led by two-time state champion Reid Ballantyne (132) and six other wrestlers with podium finishes in past state tournaments: Matt Hogue (120), Kieler Carlson (138), Trey Kruse (145), Hunter Lyden (152), Ryder Rogotzke (160), and Josh Piechowski (195). The starting lineup is expected to feature three-to-four other wrestlers with state tournament experience.

No. 26 Malvern Prep (Pennsylvania): The Friars seek a return to the national rankings, where they were in the three seasons prior to 2018-19, during the upcoming season. Anchoring their lineup are six returning National Prep placers: Dayton Delviscio (120), Dalton Harkins (152), Jack Wehmeyer (160), Caden Rogers (170), Andrew Connolly (182), and Nicholas Feldman (195).

No. 28 Mt. St. Joseph (Maryland): The Gaels are led by a pair of nationally ranked wrestlers in three-time National Prep top three finisher Chris Barnabae (126) and returning champion Isaac Righter (285). Five additional wrestlers have placed at the National Prep tournament during their careers: two-time medalists Nathan Porter (132) and Connor Strong (152), Joseph Couch (106) and Parker Werner (220), as well as 2018 placer Clement Woods (138).

No. 30 St. Joseph Montvale (New Jersey): Leading the Knights squad is nationally ranked sophomore Alex Almeyda (120), along with two additional wrestlers that have placed at state in Joe Manno (113) and Justin Bierdumpfel (132). Additional wrestlers with state experience include Jordan Iannone (126) Stefano Sgambellone (152), Jean Carlos San Juan (160), Jack Farinaro (182), and Michael Toranzo (220); while Jim Mullan (285) is expected to make significant noise as a freshman.

No. 33 Lowell (Michigan): The Red Arrows won their sixth straight team state title in Michigan's Division 2 last season despite not finishing as a nationally ranked team; they seek to return to the Fab50 this season, where they were positioned five times from 2012 to 2018. Lowell's lineup is led by nationally ranked three-time state champion Austin Boone (145) and is joined by eight other wrestlers that have placed at the state tournament in their career. Two-time state placers in the group include James Fotis (152), Doak Dean 9160), and Tyler Deloof (285).

No. 35 Waverly-Shell Rock (Iowa): The Go-Hawks had an extraordinary performance on Thursday and Friday two in the individual state tournament title in Iowa's big-school division after finishing runner-up in the dual team event to Southeast Polk on Wednesday. Four wrestlers return with state podium finishes on their resume: Bailey Roybal (113) and Aiden Riggins (126), along with two-time medalists Evan Yant (152) and Brayden Wolf (195). Ryder Block (106) should make a significant impact as a freshman, while three others bring state experience to the table.

No. 40 Park Hill (Missouri): The Trojans ended last season nationally ranked for a fourth straight year and bring back five wrestlers with state placement finishes on the resume. A trio of nationally ranked wrestlers anchor the squad: Ethan Miller (126), Trey Crawford (138), and Ashton Sharp (220); Kal Miller (132) and Greyston DiBlasi (145) also placed at state last year; while Cael Keck (106) and Ryker Smith (113) were state qualifiers.

No. 41 DeKalb (Illinois): The Barbs advanced to the semifinal round of the dual team state tournament in Illinois' big-school division last year. The Barbs are led by three returning state placers: 2018 state champion Fabian Lopez (138) as well as Danny (126) and Tommy (132) Curran. Four other wrestlers made the state tournament last year: Ben Aranda (106), Blake McGee (120), Damian Lopez (145), and Bradley Gillum (160).

No. 42 Nazareth (Pennsylvania): The Blue Eagles finished last year nationally ranked for the fourth straight year, and fifth time in six overall. This year's team is led by returning state runner-up Deshawn Farber (145) along with four additional state placers: two-time state medalists Andrew Smith (120) and Nathan Stefanik (152), along with Connor Herceg (170) and Drew Clearie (182).

No. 43 Stoughton (Wisconsin): The Vikings won a second consecutive state title last season, and this year's team is led by returning state champion Nicolar Rivera (120). Three other wrestlers have finished as state runner-up in their career: Braeden Whitehead (145), Luke Mechler (160), and Brooks Empey (220); while Gavin Model (152) and Brandt Spidle (182) also possess state tournament experience.

No. 44 Christian Brothers College (Missouri): The Cadets repeated as state champions last year in Missouri's big-school division, and finished nationally ranked as well for a second straight year. Nationally ranked three-time state champion Joshua Saunders (145) is the clear anchor of the squad, while state champion Vincent Zerban (152) is one of four additional returning state medalists.

No. 45 Simley (Minnesota): The Spartans won a 12th state title in program history, ending a three-year drought, last season; the key victory came in the section final over Kasson-Mantorville. This year's roster is led by nationally ranked Ryan Sokol (138), a Cadet World team member in freestyle this past summer; additional key wrestlers include Super 32 placers Quayin Short (182/195) and Bennett Tabor (195/220), state champion Chase DeBlaere (132), state runners-up Cael Berg (145) and Nolan Wanzek (160/170), along with returning third place finishers Reid (113) and Gavin (170/182) Nelson.

No. 47 Fort Dodge (Iowa): The Dodgers were nationally ranked in the three years prior to last year and are led this year by nationally ranked state champion Drake Ayala (120). Four other wrestlers on the roster have placed at the state tournament in their careers: Lane (113) and Brooks (132) Cowell, state champion Carson Taylor (126), and 2018 state medalist Levi Egli (195). Four additional projected starters have qualified for the state tournament during their careers.

No doubt about it: wrestling is very much a global sport.

Some wrestlers get to participate in international tournaments, see the world, and make friends well beyond their hometowns.

The cool thing is, these opportunities aren't limited to uber-talented mat superstars. Any wrestler can expand his or her horizons on and off the mat, thanks to wrestler exchange programs.

MatBoss recently talked to Ed Pendoski, wrestling coach in suburban Indianapolis who is actively involved in wrestler exchange programs that make it possible for local wrestlers to compete with fellow athletes -- and experience new cultures -- well beyond what they would normally experience on a typical road trip on a school bus to a local dual meet or tournament here in the U.S.

The oldest and greatest sport continues to welcome growing numbers of participants at the high school level.

The number of girls and boys participating in high school wrestling showed continued growth during the 2018-19 school year, bucking a trend of lower participation rates in high school sports overall, according to a report issued by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) on Monday.

With the increasing number of boys and girls specializing in wrestling and training year-round, the number of tournaments on the wrestling calendar continues to grow. Now, unlike a decade ago, there is an abundance of preseason competition opportunities.

Twenty of the nation's top fifty high school wrestling programs are using MatBoss, wrestling's premier videostats app. The list is headlined by No. 4 Montini Catholic (Ill.), and includes 11-time national champion St. Edward (Ohio) and 25-time state champion Apple Valley (Minn.).

Jeff Pape, owner of WrestlingGear.com, shares tips for running a successful and profitable wrestling tournament.

I have been involved in wrestling for over 30 years and have been to quite a few tournaments. If you keep your eyes open and stay positive you can learn something from every wrestling tournament you attend. I always tried to find something to bring back to my tournaments when I attended other tournaments. Or even learn what not to do. That is just as valuable!

Here are  tips for running a successful and profitable wrestling tournament.

After nearly a half-century as being the one-and-only uniform in amateur wrestling, the singlet is about to get some competition, at least on the high school level, as the National Federation for State High School Associations has approved rule changes which will allow scholastic wrestlers the option to wear two-piece uniforms on the mat.

On July 1, 2011, my youngest son came back from his off season wrestling practice with a letter. Inside that letter was an offer from a Division I school. Assistant coaches from the school met him at practice, the very first thing in the morning, on the very first day the NCAA rules allowed them to have direct contact with athletes. He was excited and flattered as he should have been, but he was nowhere near ready to commit. This was just the beginning. Ahead of us, a journey that would take months. Now, six years later, he is a graduate of a Big Ten university, getting his diploma this past May. As I took a look back at the time before we knew where he would go to school I came up with ten tips for parents who are entering the recruiting process.

For high school wrestlers, parents and college wrestling coaches, the college recruiting process can be a time-consuming, stressful, confusing process filled with pressure.

Now a wrestling club in Brighton, Michigan, is helping high school wrestlers navigate the recruiting process while at the same time providing a benefit to college wrestling coaches.

Sixteen of the nation's top 50 high school wrestling programs used MatBoss, wrestling's premier videostats app, during the 2016-17 season.

St. Edward (Ohio), arguably the most storied high school wrestling program in history, headlines the group of nationally ranked teams using MatBoss. Since 1978, the Eagles have captured 60 state championships and 11 national championships. This past season St. Edward finished No. 3 in the final Fab 50 rankings. Season highlights for St. Edward included runner-up finishes at the Walsh Ironman and The Clash National Duals. The Eagles were dual team state champs, individual tournament state champs, and placed eight individuals at state tournament, all within the top five.

Below is a look at 15 other high school wrestling programs using MatBoss that concluded the season ranked in InterMat's Fab 50 rankings, along with season highlights for those programs.