CONTENDERS: With realignment this past year, the American Division has become one of the deepest in the state. Perennial powerhouse High Point  has reloaded for another run. After graduating four state champions in 2011, the team responded with a 16-6 campaign.  The team will be led by Mike Derin, 32-6 as a freshman last season, and Kyle Stoll who recorded a 28-7 record last season. A team that is looking to get past High Point is Montville. The squad, led by Parker Meytrott, has had team success on the mat the last three years but has not been able to get past High Point in the state tournament. Montville has depth at the lower weights and tons of experience heading into this season. Mount Olive will be lead by Pete Andrich who won 22 bouts in 2011 and represented New Jersey at the Junior National Duals in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They are very talented in the lower weights as well.

DARK HORSE: Morris Knolls. After winning the National Division and having two seniors place in Atlantic  City (Jan Rosenberg, 3rd at 103 and Jermaine Eluemunor, 2nd at Hwt), the Denville school will have some rebuilding to do. Upper weights Michael Burns and Michael Rettino are a good start as the tandem combined for a 57-20 record last year. An area of concern is in the middleweights where inexperience is abundant but if Coach Larry Rizzo can find a way to fill those holes, it would not surprise anyone for the team to be in contention for a championship this year.

OTHERS: Pope John, Sparta, Vernon, Morris Hills

OUR PICK: High Point: Everyone counted out this team a year ago and they responded with another stellar season. Both Derin and Stoll responded and that success should care over to this year. With a deep crop of wrestlers to choose from, High Point should squeak out a division title.