VALLEY CITY, ND  (NewsDakota.com)  A popular high school wrestling publication has picked the Hi-Liners and Blue Jays tops in their respective conferences for 2022-23.

Dakota Grappler predicts Valley City as the top team in the Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) and Jamestown as the top team in the Western Dakota Association, as well as the top team statewide in individual wrestling.

Bismarck is picked as North Dakota’s top dual team.

Predictions for Valley City were made before a key injury.  Ethan Miller, set to return after finishing fourth at 145 a year ago, is expected to miss the season due to injury from the football season.

The Hi-Liners will return two state champions.  Koltyn Grebel finished 45-3 with a title at 106 in 2022, while Koye Grebel was 46-1 a year ago with a title at 120.

Other Hi-Liner returning state placers include Broden Muske, runner-up at 195 with a 37-6 record, Tyson Hovland, 7th at 160, and Isaiah Schuldheisz, 8th at 182.

Jamestown returns two state champions.  Aden Braun finished 40-4 with a title at 138 last season.  Colton Mewes was a champion at 160 with a record of 38-2.

Jackson Walters returns for the Blue Jays with a runner-up performance at 170, finishing 29-6.  Grady Anderson was a runner-up for Jamestown at 132, with a 33-9 record.  Pete Rasmussen returns after finishing 5th at 120,   The Blue Jays return two state placewinners at 285, with Dalton Darby 6th and Malakai Robinson 8th.

Valley City duals at Fargo North Tuesday night.  Jamestown duals at Bismarck December 8th.