The Top 15 teams are selected after consulting with area coaches.
1. McDonogh
Coach: Pete Welch
Last season: 16-3, No. 1
Postseason: MIAA tournament champion, MIS champion, third at National Preps
Outlook: The Eagles return several key starters from last year's dominant team, including 182-pound senior Myles Martin, senior heavyweight Wyatt Cook and 152-pound senior Cameron Harrell, who are nationally ranked by Flowrestling.
2. Mount Saint Joseph
Coach: Harry Barnabae
Last season: 16-3, No. 2
Postseason: Second at MIAA tournament, third at MIS tournament, fifth at National Preps
Outlook: The Gaels are consistent up and down the lineup. Seniors Sam Rowell and Malik Woody, juniors Logan Rill and Kyle Trybus, and sophomores Cody Trybus and Shawn Orem are all expected to compete for conference titles.
3. John Carroll
Coach: Keith Watson
Last season: 21-3, No. 3
Postseason: Third at MIAA tournament, fourth at MIS tournament, eighth at National Preps
Outlook: The Patriots have been near the top of the conference for several seasons. They return Hunter Ritter, a 182-pound National Preps runner-up and MIAA and state champion, along with fifth-place National Preps finisher Chris Almony.
4. Loyola Blakefield
Coach: Steve Truitt
Last season: 19-4, No. 9
Postseason: Fifth at MIAA tournament, ninth at MIS tournament
Outlook: The Dons welcome back five wrestlers who placed in states, including 220-pound senior Jake Nordhausen, an MIAA champion, and 126-pound sophomore Dominick Reyes.
5. River Hill
Coach: Brandon Lauer
Last season: 29-6, No. 6
Postseason: 4A-3A East region dual champion, state tournament runner-up
Outlook: The Hawks graduated three state champions — Michael Beck, Logan Kirby and Cory Daniel — but Lauer has Howard County-champion Matt Shealy, Cadet All-American Brady Daniel and Brian Kirby back to help push the team that is looking for its fourth straight county dual title.
6. South Carroll
Coach: Bryan Hamper
Last season: 20-4, No. 11
Postseason: 2A-1A state tournament co-champion
Outlook: The Cavaliers return several starters, including sophomore Joey Thomas, senior Tim Null and senior Wade Slatniske, all of whom placed in the top four at the 2A-1A state tournament last year.
7. Oakland Mills
Coach: Brad Howell
Last season: 21-9, not ranked
Postseason: 2A-1A South region tournament champion, sixth in 2A-1A state tournament
Outlook: Led by returning state champion Jaron Smith, the Scorpions bring back many starters from last year's team. Freshman Kyle Farace, younger brother of three-time state champion Tony Farace, will also look to make an immediate impact.
8. Hereford
Coach: Ron Causey
Last season: 25-5, No. 5
Postseason: 2A-1A North region dual and tournament champion, 2A-1A state duals runner-up
Outlook: The Bulls, led by state qualifiers Collin McNicholas (113 pounds), Craig Worpell (160), Russell Carter (126) and Pat Meadowcroft (145), will be looking to win their third Baltimore County title in four years.
9. Reservoir
Coach: Andy McIntyre
Last season: 19-2, No. 12
Postseason: Seventh in 4A-3A state tournament
Outlook: Although the Gators graduated state champion Mason Kilcarr, they bring back twin brothers Troy and Trent Kilcarr. Trent placed fourth at 120 pounds and is the highest-placing returning wrestler at that weight class.
10. Bel Air
Coach: Craig Reddish
Last season: 20-4, No. 4
Postseason: 4A-3A East region dual qualifier
Outlook: The Bobcats were consistent last season before losing to River Hill in the 4A-3A East region duals on a criteria error, and they look to improve this winter. They return sixth-place state finisher David Reagan and juniors Brady Stafford and Cameron Watts.
11. Glenelg
Coach: Matt Bichner
Last season: 19-2, No. 7
Postseason: Second in Howard County dual season
Outlook: The Gladiators have finished in the top three in Howard County almost every year for the past decade and expect to do the same this season. They return seniors Mike Budock and Austin Twigg, along with junior Parker Griffie.
12. Archbishop Spalding
Coach: Michael Laidley
Last season: 10-13, No. 8
Postseason: Fourth at MIAA tournament, seventh at state tournament
Outlook: Although the Cavaliers finished under .500 last winter, they still were one of the best teams in the MIAA. They return three seniors who could compete for state titles in Joe Eberhard, Mike Pearson and Jacob Parker, along with sophomore Nick Goray.
13. St. Paul's
Coach: Greg Hagel
Last season: Not ranked
Postseason: Sixth at MIAA tournament, eighth at state tournament, ninth at National Preps
Outlook: The Crusaders return one of the best sophomores in the state in state champion and third-place National Preps finisher Daniel Planta, along with senior third-place state finisher Ryan Friedman.
14. Old Mill
Coach: Jim Grim
Last season: 17-3, No. 10
Postseason: Anne Arundel County tournament champion
Outlook: The Patriots have young, talented wrestlers looking to make an immediate impact but will be led by seniors Floyd Clarke, John Briscoe, Cody Hertz and Alex Mina and junior Nate Hammond.
15. South River
Coach: John Klessinger
Last season: 14-11, not ranked
Postseason: Second at Anne Arundel County tournament
Outlook: The Seahawks don't have a potential state champion on their roster, but they are young and return seven varsity wrestlers from last season and will get better throughout this season. State qualifier Ryan Castro leads the returning wrestlers for South River.