1. Eden Prairie gets serious

Long thought of as a sleeping giant in the wrestling community, Eden Prairie has taken a couple of significant steps in improving its program over the past two seasons. Former Owatonna coach Scot Davis, the nation's winningest high school wrestling coach, took over the team before last season. In May he was joined by former Apple Valley coach Jim Jackson, who guided the Eagles to 14 state championships before stepping down after the 2012 season, as an assistant coach. Combined they have 1,634 victories and 16 state championships. If the pairing can remain intact, expect Eden Prairie to have another state championship-caliber program in the not-so-distant future.

2. Football/wrestling connection

The top two teams in Class 2A — defending champion Simley and Totino-Grace — have rosters dotted with football payers. The two schools were recent Prep Bowl participants, with Simley falling to Mankato West in the Class 5A final and Totino-Grace barely losing to Eden Prairie for the 6A championship. Both have wrestlers who are ranked among the top 10 in the state at their weight classes who were also key members of the football team. They include Michael Avwunuma (170 pounds) and Jack Ryan (220) of Simley, and Lance Benick (195) and Kez Flomo (220) of Totino-Grace.

3. Apple Valley again

Tell me if you've heard this before: Apple Valley is not only the best team in the state — by a long shot — but among the best the nation. The Eagles have nine wrestlers ranked among the top 10 in their respective weight classes in Class 3A. Three of them are ranked No. 1 — Maolu Woiwor (138 pounds), Mark Hall (170) and Bobby Steveson (195). The Eagles have won 22 state championships and 15 of the past 16. They've won nine consecutive titles in Class 3A (including a 2012 co-championship with St. Michael-Albertville). They will make it 10 this year.

4. Staying in Minnesota

Fourteen Minnesotans signed NCAA Division I letters of intent in November, including five who signed with the No. 1-ranked Gophers: Ben Brancale of Eden Prairie, Carson Brolsma of Osseo, James Berg of New Prague, Bobby Steveson of Apple Valley and Rylee Streifel of Prior Lake.

5. Splitting one into two

Edina and Richfield have split their cooperative wrestling program and each school will field a separate team this winter. The two schools had been combined since 1994. "We are off to a great start and have 33 wrestlers registered for this inaugural season," Edina coach Josh Burhans said.