True in most-all sports.... I know in racquetball, it seems nearly impossible that certain players will ever lose till they meet that one, then that one meets another with similar results. Several tiers till you get to the top.
For Tennessee, traditions help in hot beds. Example, Chattanooga area including Bradley Co... Generational improvement,,, Families' contributing n every way. Dinners spent discussing heart and soul commitment & match strategy in line with coaches, not undermining.
Father Ryan is much the same from Nashville Catholic on up since the 60's.
Tradition+feeders+Alum are huge factors.
Kudos to those who do not have the hot bed traditions and yet make the top ten year in and year out!!!
PA, OH, NY, NJ, MI, IA are all in, and a few others including IL, CA, WI & UT have also become some of those traditionally higher tier areas.
Also: I've been impressed with a few other hot spots in FL, GA and KY, including most recently Union Co and Buford.
Finally... Girls Wrestling should help with traditional growth around the country. Hat's off to Soddy and The Hill (+others, hello Rossview) for jump starting Tennessee's move toward State sanctioned girls wrestling