High school wrestling: Preece Power Poll features usual suspects on eve of state championship meets

Prep wrestling guru Brian E. Preece and mettlewrestling.com ranks the Top 25 teams in the state regardless of classification.

1. Maple Mountain (4A) — Took no prisoners at Region 8 meet.

2. Box Elder (4A) — Bees have sting, but do they have enough venom to take down the Golden Eagles?

3. Pleasant Grove (5A) — Vikings huge favorites to take home third straight 5A crown.

4. Mountain Crest (4A) — Likely to go home without a trophy, but these Mustangs are very good.

5. Layton (5A) — Lancers still have hope but must wrestle extremely well.

6. Delta (3A) — Rabbits won 3A Region 11-12 Divisional comfortably.

7. Payson (3A) — Lions hope star power and new 3A scoring rules will help cause.

8. Millard (2A) — Eagles on cruise control in 2A wrestling wars.

9. Fremont (5A) — Silverwolves hope to bring home trophy in 5A.

10. Syracuse (5A) — Titans showed legitimacy with second-place finish in 5A Divisional tournament.

11. Viewmont (5A) — Viking depth could help cause in 5A run.

12. Wasatch (3A) — Young Wasps developing extremely well.

13. Uintah (3A) — Four champs at divisional show Utes have firepower to possibly contend for a trophy.

14. Herriman (4A) — Mustangs bring home Region 7 trophy in school’s second year or existence.

15. Beaver (2A) — Beavers hope to push Millard and hold off North Sevier.

16. Bear River (3A) — Bears have depth and hope that will help them in 3A wars.

17. Union (3A) — Look out, the Cougars are on the prowl.

18. Alta (5A) — Star Matt Findlay takes flight in 5A.

19. North Sevier (2A) — Wolves still have plenty of bite.

20. Clearfield (4A) — Falcons won Region 6 title.

21. Altamont (1A) — Longhorns looking good for another 1A title.

22. Tooele (3A) — Manning wins divisional gold to lead Buffalo attack.

23. Mountain View (4A) — Bruins were solid in Region 8 tournament.

24. Bingham (5A) — Miners are solid year in and year out.

25. Spanish Fork (3A) — Ashworth leads Don attack.

Honorable Mention: In 5A: Copper Hills, Davis, Jordan, Lone Peak and Taylorsville. In 4A: Bountiful, Highland, Orem, Salem Hills, Sky View and Westlake. In 3A: Canyon View, Cedar City, and Pine View. In 1A: Grand, Manti and South Summit. In 1A: Monticello

Brian E. Preece was the former head wrestling coach at Provo High School from 2005-06. He was the NWCA Coach of the Year for the State of Utah in 2006. He currently is a freelance sports writer.