Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance

Thomaston — For the first time in about three decades, wrestling has returned to Georges Valley High School, albeit on an individual basis.

There will be three Buccaneer grapplers who will hit the mat to compete in 2009-10.

The grapplers will wrestle in cooperation with Medomak Valley High School, a Class B school. The Bucs, who compete on all athletic levels in Class C, will see their wrestlers compete as independents in Class B meets.

The Buc grapplers will practice with Medomak Valley in Waldoboro and compete during Panther meets, but not for Medomak Valley. They will represent the Bucs.

Georges Valley sponsored a wrestling program for a few years in the late 1970s, but the program was nixed after a few seasons and, according to Georges Valley High School athletic director Ed Hastings, the school has not had wrestling in any capacity since.

"I certainly appreciate [Maine School Administrative District 40 athletic director] Matt Lash's willingness to accept these kids," said Hastings. "His insight is very valuable and he was certainly able to help us out."

Lash has been the chairman of the Maine Principals' Association wrestling committee for the past three years and has been on the committee for six years. He said not only was MVHS happy to help promote interest for the sport, but Medomak Valley and Georges Valley have strong relations and Lash was eager to help the Buc athletes.

"They've been great additions," said Lash of the three Buc student-athletes to the Panther wrestling squad. "Georges Valley and Medomak [Valley] have always had a good, healthy relationship. We do lots of exhibitions in different sports. They come to our holiday [basketball] tournament and Ed's been able to get us some freshmen [basketball] games in recent years. So we're glad to be able to continue that friendship. We all work together to provide as many opportunities for kids as possible."

The local schools' collaboration is not particularly uncommon, as this practice is used in neighboring schools in different sports where the school in question does not have its own varsity sport.

For example, Rockland and Medomak Valley have had independent swimmers who compete with Camden Hills, while Medomak Valley and Rockland have sent skiers to Camden Hills and Camden Hills and Medomak Valley have had indoor track athletes participate with Rockland.

Due to the MPA's cooperative sports program, athletes from a school that does not offer a particular individual-based sport, such as wrestling, skiing, swimming and track, for example, can compete in that sport as independents at another school. Those athletes must get MPA approval to do so.

In order to be able to participate with Medomak Valley in MPA-sanctioned wrestling events this winter, Georges Valley petitioned the governing body of member Maine schools for Class B wrestling status, which was granted.

Had the MPA rejected Georges Valley's petition, the Buccaneer wrestlers would have had to find another coach to guide them in regional and state tournaments at the Class C level.

All three Buc wrestlers took the initiative to get their own green-and-white uniforms, the cost of which they will be reimbursed for by the school district, Hastings said.

Village NetMedia Associate Sports Director Mark Haskell can be reached at 594-4401 or by e-mailing mhaskell@villagesoup.com.