3 Must-Watch Section Tournaments in Class A

Some would say Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. To that, I would say the MN High School Wrestling Postseason is the most wonderful time of the year. We are just ten days away from the 2024 postseason, and the Class A Section Tournaments are always particularly exciting due to the parity amongst the competitors. This year I’ve identified three section tournaments that you won’t want to miss under any circumstances. However, all eight have the potential to be great and you’re going to want to stay up-to-date.

The Can’t Miss Tournaments: 5A, 6A, and 7A

#1) Section 5A 

The favorite: Canby

The other contenders: Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (BBE), Minneota, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (KMS), and Paynesville

Section 5 could have the most exciting section tournament in Class A for two reasons. Firstly, there are five teams that stand a puncher’s chance at winning the 5A Title. Secondly, the winner of this section stands to do some serious damage at the state wrestling tournament. This is the one you'll want to keep your eyes on. 

BBE was a top 2-3 STATE ranked team until a recent loss to an unranked Canby. Now this section is anyone’s game. Canby will likely lock up the top seed, however, they could have a challenging semifinal with Minneota, KMS, or Paynesville. As a matter of fact, the semifinals in Section 5A could be as exciting as the final. I’ve got Canby as a slight favorite and BBE almost immediately behind them, but this is truly anyone’s section, one through five. 

#2) Section 6A

The favorites: Osakis OR Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale/Parkers Prairie (BHVPP)

The other contenders: West Central Area/Ashby/Brandon/Evansville (WCA), Long Prairie-Grey Eagle-Browerville (LPGEB), and Border West 

WCA won Section 6A the past two years, and BHVPP won it the three years prior to that. However, this is much more than a two-horse race. Section 6A is going to be utter chaos this year because anyone seeded one through five can win it all.  Osakis and BHVPP will likely receive the top two seeds, but neither of them beat their section opponents very convincingly. BHVPP beat WCA by one singular point. Osakis beat LPGEB by one singular point. And we haven’t even mentioned Border West yet, who is a likely top 4-5 seed. The playing field has never been more even in 6A. 

#3) Section 7A

The favorite: Holdingford

The other contenders: Staples-Motley, Royalton/Upsala, and Mille Lacs

Holdingford was dominant in Section 7A this year. Royalton/Upsala has won the section four consecutive years, but the Huskers beat Royalton/Upsala 39-6 during the regular season. Holdingford might be one of the best teams in the state and is the favorite in Section 7A, but the depth in 7A will make this tournament special. 

Staples-Motley emerged over the course of the season, and lost their regular season matchup to Holdingford by just 10. A Section Finals rematch could be an instant classic. Royalton/Upsala has the advantage of recent postseason success. Mille Lacs had a dominant regular season that shouldn’t be overlooked. The winner of this section will certainly be battle tested, and is most likely a top three seed at state. 

The Rest of the Races (in no particular order):

Section 1A

The favorite: Chatfield

The other contenders: Kenyon-Wanamingo, Dover-Eyota, Goodhue, and Lewiston-Altura-Rushford-Peterson (LARP)

Chatfield is deservingly looking at the #1 seed in Section 1A. If they advance to the state tournament, they will likely be the #1 seed at the state tournament due to their impressive regular season resume. However, Section 1 wrestling fans know that “Team Section Saturday” at the Mayo Civic Center always turns into a dog fight. Over the past five years, FIVE different teams have won Section 1A! If Kenyon-Wanamingo, Dover-Eyota, Goodhue, LARP (or anyone else, for that matter) advances out of 1A, they will likely be a top-3 seed at the state tournament just because of the path they had to walk through to get to “The X.”

Section 2A

The favorite: Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial Area (LCWM)

The other contenders: Waterville-Elysian-Morristown/Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (WEM/JWP), and Medford

Similar to Section 1A, four different teams have emerged out of Section 2A in the last four years. Who’s turn is it this year? LCWM is the heavy favorite. They’ve never won a 2A title, and the last time they advanced to state was in 2015 out of Section 4A. They have a great chance to advance this year, but they’ll have to find their way past WEM/JWP and Medford. Medford won the 2A title last year and still needs to be respected as a team with a shot, despite a big regular season loss to LCWM. WEM/JWP and Medford met up twice this regular season and WEM/JWP won both matches by single digits. A potential semi finals rematch would be fun to watch. 

Section 3A

The favorite: Jackson County Central (JCC)

The other contenders: Tracy-Milroy-Balaton/Westbrook-Walnut Grove (TMB/WWG) and Adrian/Ellsworth

This could be the most competitive 3A race since 2021. Once again, JCC is the section favorite, but not nearly the overwhelming favorite they were the last two years. JCC beat TMB/WWG earlier this season, but TMB/WWG was without their state champion, Devin Carter. He can’t make up 26 points on his own, but can TMB/WWG get creative and find other ways to push the Huskies? We can’t forget about Adrian/Ellsworth either, as they’ve only lost one Section 3A dual (to JCC by 15). The Section 3A race could be the best it’s been in years. 

Section 4A

The favorite: Central Public Schools (Also known as Norwood Young America)

The other contender: Le Sueuer-Henderson

Section 4A has sent some GREAT teams to state in recent memory. Three of the last four section champs in 4A went on to place top three at state. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted won the section in 2023 before moving up to AA. This opened the door for Central Public Schools to truly emerge. They’re currently undefeated in Section 4A, but Le Sueur Henderson tested them in the regular season and will have something to say come tournament time. 

Section 8A 

The favorite: United North Central 

The other contender: Frazee

It seems like it’s been forever since Frazee was an annual qualifier for the state wrestling tournament. They made 16 state tournament trips between 2001 and 2018, but the last 2 section titles belong to United North Central. Can Frazee make it back to the promised land? Can UNC hold them off? The Warriors won the only regular season matchup, 40-30 so it should be a tight final if we get to that point. This has the makings of a true two-horse race.