SANFORD — The annual Maine-Nebraska Wrestling Exchange kicks off on Monday as wrestlers from Nebraska will make the trip to Maine this summer for a week of wrestling and plenty of fun activities off the mat in different parts of the state.
The first stop for the exchange, which is the longest running event of its kind in the entire country, will be in Sanford as wrestlers will compete at historic Memorial Gym on Monday evening.
Sanford assistant coach Paul Rivard is running the first stop and is thrilled to show the Nebraska wrestlers what Sanford — and southern Maine in general — is all about.
“I think it’s very important for Sanford to be holding this event this year with the history of Maine wrestling and essentially Sanford being one of the (first) programs in Maine,” said Rivard. “We can show Nebraska the roots of Maine wrestling and also let them experience our style of wrestling compared to theirs, which is going to be very different … and being able to show them our environment. Show them the beaches and just the way we live here.”
Bob Craig, who leads the charge on the Maine side for the annual event, is thrilled to be hosting the Nebraska wrestlers for another year.
“The wrestling is very good, but it’s really about the friendships that are made, the bonds that are made,” said Craig. “I mean you follow some of these kids that you might have had in your house four or five years ago and now they’re on world teams and doing stuff like that. It’s pretty crazy.”
When the wrestlers aren’t competing they will be given the chance to experience some things that may not be available to them in Nebraska.
“I’m buying a 100 lobsters, so we’re going to have a big lobster cookout up there for them where kids can go canoeing, swimming. They don’t get a chance to eat fresh Maine lobster every day, so I’m sure that will be a treat for them,” said Craig.
Craig will welcome the wrestlers to Skowhegan for a meet on Wednesday evening. The exchange will wrap up with matches at Foxcroft Academy on Friday and Bucksport High School on Saturday.
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.