It is difficult to compare toughness by using # of state champs when comparing classes. Most of the schools with all the champs, although good programs, had a 10-20 year or more head start when there were alot fewer teams. Also there was no 5a until 1969 and no 6A until 1979. Many of the schools now in 5a-6a may not have had programs or were 4A or 321A in the past.
Regionals are designed by geographic region. Many of the geographic areas of the state tend to have tougher teams close together. I think all the classes 123A thru 6A have regionals that many would consider tough and ones they consider not as tough. Many feel it is an advantage for teams having a weaker regional. This may be true when trying to qualify more athletes. I think it evens out somewhat at state when the #1 or 2 regional placer out of a weak regional meets a tough #3 or 4 placer out of one of the tough regionals in the first round and may get knocked off in the early rounds at state which may actually make it more difficult to medal. The other thing that happens is that when 2 or more tough wrestlers are in the same regionals they are seperated on the state bracket until the later rounds which evens things a bit. The only sad part is when 5 or 6 kids with the ability to medal at state end up in the same regional. This does happen every year, but it is still somewhat rare even in the toughest regionals.