Class B
1. Waverly
2. Omaha Skutt
3. Scottsbluff
4. Bennington
5. Beatrice
6. Blair
7. York
8. Gering
9. Cozad
10. Wahoo
Last year when I did not put Bennington #1 in the preseason rankings, I was pretty much tarred, feathered, and ridiculed on social media. As it turned out, I was correct. I am going to try this again. Waverly takes the #1 preseason spot based on their depth if they get everyone to the right weight classes. Waverly has 11 returning state qualifiers including a class A state runner up and bring some quality freshmen to help with their depth. Omaha Skutt also returns 10 state qualifiers and brings in some quality freshmen to help. It will be a razor thin race between the top 2 teams, and we may see two class B teams score 180+ state points. Scottsbluff was devastated by injuries and other issues last year and they are getting a lot of those back so they may surprise many by being ranked this high in the preseason. They may not be able to catch Waverly or Skutt, but they may score enough points to win state many years and still finish 3 rd this year. Bennington lost some high-end talent but still have two state champions coming back. They have some quality freshman and former backups that sat behind state champions that may help. If they get some production out of those guys and get some veterans over the hump it could be a tight battle with Scottsbluff for the 3 rd spot.
Beatrice has some quality and depth with potentially 7 state medalists. That should be enough to finish in the top 5 and potentially challenge Bennington and Scottsbluff for as high as 3rd .
Blair has been a mainstay in the top 10 and even top 5. They return only 3 state qualifiers but all 3 are potential finalists. They have a few quality kids just miss going to state last year so don’t be surprised if they finish higher than their preseason ranking.
York is a team on the rise coming in at #7 in the preseason rankings with potentially 4 state medalists and some depth behind them. Gering is another perennial top 10 team and start out in the top 10 with potentially 6 state medalists. If they can add a little more depth, they may climb higher in the rankings. Cozad had a solid season last year. They lose a couple of wrestlers due to graduation and another because of an injury but they still are strong enough to finish in the top 10. Wahoo finishes out the top 10 preseason rankings with potentially 4 state medalists but not as much depth behind them.
NSWCA Class B Dual Rankings
1. Waverly
2. Omaha Skutt
3. Bennington
4. Scottsbluff
5. Beatrice
6. Blair
7. York
8. Gering
9. Cozad
10. Plattsmouth
Waverly takes the top spot here because they are tough at about every weight. I would not be surprised to see them qualify all 14 weights to state. That makes a very tough dual team. Skutt will give Waverly all they can handle. In a dual, Skutt may need to rely on bonus points to overcome Waverly and that is possible. Bennington gets the nod over Scottsbluff in duals because they seem to have a little more depth. Scottsbluff will be a solid dual team with their top end talent and some depth. Beatrice has 8 returning state qualifiers and should be very tough as a dual team. Blair is no slouch and is a traditionally tough dual team. It is hard to rank them out of the top 5 so watch out for them. York had a young team and is another team to watch out for as those kids develop. They may make some noise at the State Duals. Gering and Cozad are both solid, well coached teams that have done well at the State Duals recently and we should keep an eye on them. Plattsmouth rounds out the top 10 with an injured (last year) Chance Larson returning and some solid incoming freshmen.