St. Michael-Albertville and Pierz return to defend their titles at this year's state wrestling tournament. Both are seeking their third consecutive titles, St. Michael-Albertville in Class AA and Pierz in Class A. A new Class AAA champion will emerge because the 2005 champions from Owatonna failed to qualify for this year's tournament.

In the individual competition, 13 champions return for more gold medals - three in Class AAA, four in Class AA, and six in Class A. Five champions return to defend titles in the same weight class - three in Class A, and one each in Class AA and Class AAA.

Three teams, United South Central of Wells in Class A and Prior Lake and Sauk Rapids-Rice in Class AAA, are making their first appearances at the tournament. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Canby and Apple Valley are making their 25th overall appearances at the tournament, and Apple Valley is making its 24th consecutive trip.

The 2006 State Wrestling Tournament opens Thursday, March 2, and runs through Saturday, March 4, at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Four teams that competed in the 2005 tournament, including the two-time defending champions from Pierz (Section 6), return to this year's field. The other returning qualifiers are: Canby (Section 4); Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City (Section 5); and New York Mills (Section 7).

The Pierz Pioneers are making their fifth consecutive and seventh overall appearance. Before 2004 they had never won a state title. The Canby Lancers return to make their second consecutive and 24th overall appearance. The Lancers won previous titles in 1976, 1977, 1979, 1986, 1988, 1994, and 1995. Canby was the runner-up at the 2005 tournament. Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City returns to make its third consecutive and fourth overall appearance. The Falcons, who earned third-place honors in 2005, are still in the hunt for their first championship. New York Mills is making its third consecutive and overall tournament appearance. The Eagles, who have never won a team title, lost in the consolation semifinals last year.

The Wabasso Rabbits (Section 3) return after a one-year absence to make their second appearance. The Falcons of Wabasha-Kellogg (Section 1) are making their first appearance under this name, although they appeared as a co-op with Glomski Home School in 1999. Both Wabasso and Wabasha-Kellogg are still in the hunt for their first titles.

United South Central of Wells is the only Class A team making its first tournament appearance. The Rebels were the Section 2 champions this year.

Frazee (Section 8) is the final Class A participant. The Hornets return after a one-year absence to make their 14th tournament appearance. If they win, it would be their fourth title. They won previously in 1992 and 1999, and were co-champions in 2002.

The 7:30 p.m. Thursday Class A quarterfinal pairings and final rankings by The Guillotine: No. 2 Canby (28-2) vs. United South Central (13-5); No. 6 Wabasso (24-7) vs. No. 12 Wabasha-Kellogg (16-4); No. 4 Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City (25-3) vs. No. 7 New York Mills (18-4); No. 3 Frazee (19-3) vs. No. 1 Pierz (28-2).

The Knights of St. Michael-Albertville (Section 4) return as the two-time defending champions. This is the eighth consecutive and 16th overall appearance for the Knights. In addition to titles in 2004 and 2005, St. Michael-Albertville also won championships in 1996 and 1997. Four other teams also return from the 2005 state tournament field: Scott West (Section 2), which is a co-op between Belle Plaine, Jordan, and Holy Family Academy of Belle Plaine; Milaca/Faith Christian (Section 6); Adrian Area (Section 3); and Buffalo Lake-Hector/BOLD (Section 5).

This is the fourth consecutive and eighth overall appearance for Scott West. The Panthers won runner-up honors in 2005, but they have never won a state title. This year, Scott West will face St. Michael-Albertville in the quarterfinals. It's a rematch of last year's championship that the Knights won 32-15. The Wolves of Milaca/Faith Christian (Section 6) are also making their third consecutive appearance. They won the consolation title last year and are making their seventh overall appearance. The Dragons of Adrian Area (Section 3), who placed third in 2005, are returning for a third consecutive year to make their eighth overall appearance. Neither the Dragons nor the Wolves have won a team championship. The Warriors of Buffalo Lake-Hector/BOLD are making their second consecutive and overall appearance under this name. They finished in sixth place last year. BOLD of Olivia made two previous appearances and won a title in 2003.

The Plainview/Elgin-Millville Gophers (Section 1) and the Little Falls Flyers (Section 7) are both returning for their fourth appearances. The Bulldogs last competed in the tournament in 2003, and the Flyers in 1999. Plainview also made one additional appearance in 1985. Neither team has won a championship.

Hibbing (Section 8) rounds out the field. The Bluejackets return to the tournament after a two-year absence. This is their sixth overall appearance and they're also in the hunt for a first championship.

The 10:00 a.m. Thursday Class AA quarterfinal pairings: No. 1 St. Michael-Albertville (29-2) vs. No. 4 Scott West (17-1); No. 7 Adrian Area (31-7) vs. No. 11 Plainview/Elgin-Millville (28-6); No. 8 Buffalo Lake-Hector/BOLD (25-2) vs. No. 3 Little Falls (19-3); No. 12 Hibbing (13-8) vs. No. 2 Milaca/Faith Christian (30-5).

Class AAA Team Highlights

Apple Valley (Section 6) is the highest returning qualifier. The Eagles are making their 24th consecutive and 25th overall tournament appearance. They placed third last year and won previous team championships in 1983, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004.

Two additional teams that competed in 2005 also return to this year's tournament. Totino-Grace of Fridley (Section 5) placed sixth last year and returns for its eighth consecutive and ninth overall appearance. Centennial of Circle Pines (Section 4) returns to make its second consecutive and sixth overall appearance. The Cougars lost in the consolation semifinals in 2005. Neither program has won a state title.

Prior Lake (Section 2) and Sauk Rapids-Rice (Section 8) are both making first appearances at this year's tournament.

Hastings (Section 3), Albert Lea Area (Section 1), and Anoka (Section 7) are the final Class AAA teams. They all have previous tournament experience. The Hastings Raiders are looking for their second title; they won previously in 1996. This is the Raiders' ninth overall appearance, but their first since 2001. Albert Lea Area returns after a one-year absence. The Tigers are making their seventh overall appearance, and won previous titles in 1977 and 1981. The Tornadoes of Anoka are looking for their fourth title. They won their previous three in 1978, 1979, and 1990, respectively. This is the school's 17th overall appearance, but first since 2001.

The 2:00 p.m. Thursday Class AAA quarterfinal pairings: Centennial (25-9) vs. No. 7 Prior Lake (20-5); No. 5 Hastings (26-6) vs. No. 2 Albert Lea Area (31-3); No. 11 Totino-Grace (15-14) vs. No. 1 Anoka (20-0); No. 12 Sauk Rapids-Rice (18-14-1) vs. No. 4 Apple Valley (37-7).

Class A Individual Highlights

103 pounds - Nathan Lexvold (35-2) of Kenyon-Wanamingo is the highest returning qualifier. He placed fifth in this weight class in 2005. No one has a perfect record in this weight class.

112 pounds - Zach Sanders (42-0) of Wabasha-Kellogg returns to defend his title. If Sanders wins, it will be his fourth title. Spencer Beech (18-8) of Breckenridge placed sixth in this class in 2005. Three wrestlers from the 103-pound weight class will compete at 112 pounds this year: Luke Amsden (39-1) of River Valley, who was runner-up; Ethan Kern (40-0) of Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale, last year's third-place finisher; and Ben Meyer (38-0) of Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, who placed fourth. Kern, Meyer and Sanders are the undefeated wrestlers in this weight class.

119 pounds - A.J. Jenniges (38-2) of Wabasso, who won the 103-pound title last year, leads this class of qualifiers. Andy Forstner (36-0) of Madelia/Truman placed fourth at 119 pounds last year. Two other medal-winners also return: Kirby Anderson (36-2) of Menahga/Sebeka placed third at 112 pounds, and Pete Riley (34-4) of Dover-Eyota finished sixth at 103 pounds. Forstner has the only flawless record.

125 pounds - Kirk Anderson (33-0) of Barnesville, the defending champion at 119 pounds, leads the qualifiers in the 125-pound weight class. Two other medalists return: Joe Murphy (40-1) of Trinity School at River Ridge, Bloomington, fourth at 112 pounds; and Jared Hotakainen (25-3) of New York Mills, fifth at 119 pounds. Anderson is the only undefeated competitor.

130 pounds - Three runner-up medalists from other classes return to compete for a title at 130 pounds. Kevin Steinhaus (33-4) of Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg at 112 pounds; Kyle Bednar (35-7) of Pierz at 119 pounds; and Brady Schneeberger (36-5) of West Central Area, Barrett, at 125 pounds. No competitors enter the tournament with perfect records in this class.

135 pounds - DJ Brey (31-10) of St. James returns in this weight class after finishing fourth in 2005. Luke Bothun (33-0) of Dawson-Boyd placed fifth at 125 pounds. Bothun is the only undefeated competitor.

140 pounds - Two medalists return in this class: Nate Willaert (30-3) of Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial, runner-up at 130 pounds; and Bryant Boynton (31-9) of Dover-Eyota, sixth at 135 pounds. No wrestlers enter with a perfect record.

145 pounds - Mitchell Altermatt (35-3) of Wabasso returns; he placed third in this weight class in 2005. Other returning qualifiers are Joel Kerzman (16-0) of Paynesville Area, runner-up at 135 pounds; and Jonny Roemhildt (32-3) of Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, runner-up at 140 pounds. Kerzman boasts the only perfect record.

152 pounds - Sean Glenz (40-1) of Paynesville Area, the defending champion at 145 pounds, leads the field. Eric Wiener (31-5) of Osakis, who finished fifth at 145 pounds, also returns. No one had a perfect record in this weight class.

160 pounds - There are no returning medalists and no perfect records in this class.

171 pounds - Two medalists from the 160-pound weight class will compete at 171 pounds. Josh Hall (31-3) of Badger/Greenbush-Middle River was fourth, and Torrey Line (41-0) of Browerville/Eagle Valley finished fifth. Besides Line, Nic Leither (39-0) of Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City is also undefeated.

189 pounds - Ty Svenby (35-6) of Medford is the only returning qualifier in this class. No wrestlers enter with a perfect record.

215 pounds - Justin Schwanz (37-3) of St. James returns to defend his title in this weight class. He is the only returning qualifier. There were no undefeated wrestlers in this weight class.

Heavyweight - Evan Hacker (39-1) of Canby, last year's heavyweight champion, is the only returning medalist. No competitors enter with a perfect record.

Class AA Individual Highlights

103 pounds - There are no returning qualifiers and no perfect records in this class.

112 pounds - Cody Adams (39-0) of Mankato East, who won the 103-pound title last year, is the highest returning qualifier. Four other medalists from the 103-pound weight class also return: Collin Pitts (32-2) of Caledonia, last year's runner-up; Pat LeVasseur (32-6) of Buffalo Lake Hector/BOLD, third; Jacob Bowland (30-5) of Foley, fourth; and Andy Hackenmueller (28-15) of St. Michael Albertville, fifth. Adams has this year's only perfect record.

119 pounds - Aaron Stolp (36-2) of Big Lake, who placed fifth in this class last year, is one of three medalists to return. Derek Pesta (31-5) of Long Prairie-Grey Eagle was the runner-up at 112 pounds, and Dan Greeno (37-5) of St. Michael-Albertville placed third at 112 pounds. There are no perfect records in this class.

125 pounds - Mike Thorn (42-0) of St. Michael-Albertville, who was the champion in the 119-pound weight class last year, returns in search of another title. The other medalist to return is Matt Farber (32-4) of Watertown-Mayer, who placed sixth at 112 pounds. Thorn is the only undefeated competitor.

130 pounds - Three medal-winners return from the 125-pound weight class: Tyler Doll (35-3) of Perham, runner-up; Jake Saatzer (38-2) of Mound-Westonka, third; and Alex Becker (33-10) of St. Michael-Albertville, fifth. Tory Stewart (38-4) of Jackson County Central, runner-up at 119 pounds, also returns. No one enters with a perfect record.

135 pounds - The top three finishers from last year's 130-pound class now meet at 135 pounds: Champion Samuel Schad (29-0) of Long Prairie-Grey Eagle returns in search of another title. Beau Penk (35-1) of Litchfield was runner-up, and Joe Grygelko (38-3) of St. Michael-Albertville was third. Other returning qualifiers are: Travis Rutt (39-3) of New Prague, fourth at 119 pounds; and Brandon Bullerman (41-2) of Adrian Area, sixth in this class. Schad is the only undefeated wrestler in this class.

140 pounds - Travis Elg (39-0) of Windom Area/Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin is the only returning medalist. He finished third at 135 pounds in 2005. Elg boasts this year's only flawless record.

145 pounds - Three medalists from other weight classes return: Chad Little (37-5) of St. Michael-Albertville, fourth at 140 pounds; Trevor Larson (36-0), fifth at 140 pounds; and Philip Moenkedick (20-2) of Perham, sixth at 130 pounds. Larson is the only undefeated competitor in this class.

152 pounds - Dustin Horner (31-2) of Deer River/Northland, last year's runner-up, and Dan LeDuc (30-3) of Thief River Falls/Goodridge, fourth place, both return at 152 pounds. Medalists from last year's 145-pound class are runner-up Mike Wubbena (37-0) of Fairmont, and fourth-place Steve Vedders (36-2) of Milaca/Faith Christian. Wubbena enters the tournament with the only perfect record.

160 pounds - Mike Schmitz (37-1) of Stewartville looks to improve on his runner-up finish in this class in 2005. He is the only returning medalist. Eric Reinert (36-0) of Watertown-Mayer has the only flawless record in this weight class.

171 pounds - Mark Przekwas (25-2) of Roseau is the lone returning qualifier in this class. He placed sixth at 160 pounds last year. One wrestler is undefeated: Kenny Moenkedick (39-0) of Perham.

189 pounds - Brent Eidenschink (33-0) of Detroit Lakes is the only returning medalist, finishing third at 215 pounds in 2005. Three wrestlers boast perfect records coming into the tournament: Eidenschink, Lance Peters (42-0) of Grand Meadow/Leroy Ostrander/Kingsland, and Nick Henning (38-0) of Fulda/Murray County Central.

215 pounds - Defending champion Joe Nord (40-0) of Waconia is the only returning qualifier at 215 pounds. Nord is also the only undefeated wrestler in this class.

Heavyweight - Three medalists from this class return: Stephen Westby (34-1) of New London-Spicer, third; Darrin Massmann (35-2) of Rocori, Cold Spring fifth; and Andy Witzel (31-3) of Fulda/Murray County Central, sixth. Mike May (29-2) of LeSueur-Henderson, runner-up at 189 pounds, also makes a return appearance. No one had a perfect record in this class.

Class AAA Individual Highlights

103 pounds - There are no returning medalists and no perfect records in this class.

112 pounds - Four medalists return to compete; Tom Kelliher (40-2) of Apple Valley, runner-up at 103 pounds; Logan Kortan (35-8) of Albert Lea Area, third at 103 pounds; Minh Huynh (35-6) of Eastview, Apple Valley, fourth at 103 pounds; and Matt Laine (33-3) of Hastings, fifth in this weight class. There were no perfect records.

119 pounds - Two defending champions return in this class: Trey Bertram (34-6) of Hastings, champion at 103 pounds, and Terrance Young (40-2) of Minneapolis Edison, champion at 112 pounds. Three other medal-winners also return: Alex Meager (37-5) of Owatonna, runner-up at 112 pounds; David Zilverberg (37-4) of Wayzata, fifth at 103 pounds; and Jake Tabbert (33-8) of Simley, Inver Grove Heights, sixth at 103 pounds. No one had an unblemished record in this class.

125 pounds - Two medal-winners return: Josh Wiseman (38-2) of Champlin Park, third at 119 pounds, and Matt Mincey (38-4) of Apple Valley, fourth at 112 pounds. John Amundson (34-0) of Alexandria has the only flawless record.

130 pounds - Derek Bomstad (41-1) of Hutchinson is the highest returning qualifier. He earned runner-up honors at 119 pounds last year. Two other medalists also return: Isiah Harris (31-8) of Wayzata, fourth at 119 pounds, and Lukas Lynch (33-6) of Elk River, sixth at 119 pounds. No one had a perfect record.

135 pounds - Jason Adams (41-0) of Coon Rapids, who was third at 125 pounds last year, leads this group of qualifiers. Adams also has the only flawless record this year. Zach McGinnis (30-6) of Albert Lea Area is the only other returning qualifier. He placed fifth at 130 pounds last year.

140 pounds - Three of the 2005 medalists return: Joe Anderson (37-2) of Bemidji, fourth at 135 pounds; John Sundgren (8-2) of Blaine, fifth at 119 pounds; and Jake Deitchler (38-1) of Anoka, fifth at 125 pounds. No one had a flawless record in this class.

145 pounds - Four medal-winners return from last year's field: John Brandtjen (40-1) of Simley, Inver Grove Heights, third at 135 pounds; Tony Sadder (38-3) of Totino-Grace, Fridley, third at 140 pounds; Matt Mauseth (34-2) of Rochester Mayo, fourth at 130 pounds; and Greg Skerik (38-1) of Bemidji, fourth at 140 pounds. There were no perfect records.

152 pounds - Jordan Kolbow (34-1) of Forest Lake is the only returning medal-winner. He earned runner-up honors at 145 pounds last year. Alex McMahan (12-0) of Apple Valley has the only flawless record.

160 pounds - Two medalists return: Derek Skala (37-5) of Owatonna, third at 152 pounds, and Jay Thoreson (37-0) of Moorhead, fifth in this weight class. Thoreson boasts the only perfect record.

171 pounds - Jake Johnson (40-0) of Prior Lake is the highest returning qualifier. He was the runner-up in this weight class last year. Garrett Long (38-5) of St. Francis, who was fifth in this class in 2005, also returns. Johnson and Dave Cunningham (29-0) of Austin have the only unblemished records.

189 pounds - Dusty Iverson (41-0) of Anoka, who has the only perfect record in this class, returns to defend his title. Pat Mahan (27-4) of Owatonna, also returns. He placed fourth at 215 pounds last year.

215 pounds - Tyler Hemmesch (36-2) of Elk River and Andy Robinson (39-4) of St. Francis return in this weight class. They placed third and fifth, respectively, in 2005. No one had a flawless record in this class.

Heavyweight - Three medal-winners return: Bill Lundblad (31-2) of Simley, Inver Grove Heights, runner-up in this weight class; Ben Berhow (40-2) of Albert Lea Area, runner-up at 215 pounds; and John Schantzen (16-2) of Stillwater Area, fourth in this weight class. Brett LeBrun (32-0) of New Ulm and Kyle Richardson (37-0) of Centennial, Circle Pines, had the only perfect records.

The Schedule and Ticket Information

The Class AAA first-round individual matches are scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday, followed approximately at 10 a.m. by quarterfinal matches simultaneously with the Class AA team quarterfinals. The Class A first-round individual matches are scheduled approximately for noon, followed at approximately 2 p.m. by quarterfinal matches simultaneously with the Class AAA team quarterfinals. Class AA first-round individual matches are scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed approximately at 7:30 p.m. by quarterfinal matches simultaneously with the Class A team quarterfinals.

On Friday, Class AAA individual wrestlebacks begin at 8 a.m., followed approximately at 9 a.m. by Class A individual wrestlebacks. At approximately 10 a.m., Class AA individual wrestlebacks will be held simultaneously with the Class AAA team championship semifinals and consolation semifinals. Class A and Class AA team championship semifinals and consolation semifinals are set for approximately noon. At 3:30 p.m., Class A individual championship semifinals and consolation quarterfinals will begin, followed at approximately 5:30 p.m. by Class AA individual championship semifinals and individual consolation quarterfinals. The Class AAA individual consolation quarterfinals will start at approximately 6:30 p.m., followed by the Class A individual consolation semifinals at 7 p.m. The day will conclude with the Class AA individual consolation semifinals at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, there will be four rounds of competition. Round One starts at 10 a.m. and will consist of all team consolation and third-place matches in all classes. Round Two will start approximately at noon and will entail all individual fifth-place and third-place matches in all classes. Round Three begins approximately at 3 p.m. and will encompass all individual championship matches in all classes. Round Four will follow the conclusion of the Round Three awards (approximately 5:30 p.m.) and will consist of all team championship matches in all classes. Award ceremonies will be held at the end of each round.

Other than the first matches of each session, all subsequent rounds will start immediately following the conclusion of the previous competition in the session. Thus, most of the start times are approximate.