Friendship wrestling to start Monday

A highly decorated contingent of schoolboy wrestlers will represent eastern Maine when the 21st Maine-Nebraska Friendship Series begins Monday at Brewer High School.

The Maine-Nebraska Friendship Series is the longest-running exchange of its type between two states. Maine and Nebraska alternate as the host each year, staging four meets at different locations within the state.

This year’s eastern Maine squad is expected to be led by four-time state champion Chris Barkac of Dexter (130 pounds) and two-time state champions Jeremiah Barkac of Dexter (103), Shane Webber of Mt. Blue of Farmington (135), Tom Burns of Ellsworth (152), and Harry Pearson of Camden Hills of Rockport (160).

Other current state champions tentatively set to compete are True Bragg of Camden Hills (119), Billy Greene of Dexter (140), and Ryan Whittemore (145) and James McPhee (189) of Foxcroft Academy.

Representing the host school will be Alex Smith (112) and Justin Bowen (275), while other scheduled participants are Chris Archer of Hermon (171), Brent Brawn of Nokomis of Newport (215), and Logan Russell of Morse of Bath (125).

“The overall quality of this team is phenomenal,” said Brewer coach Joe Bowen, who has been instrumental in bringing the Friendship Series to his school. “The state of Maine has got some decent wrestlers. We should fare well this year.”

The Nebraska contingent will arrive in Maine on Sunday evening, then spend Monday visiting Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park before returning to Brewer to prepare for the match.

Weigh-in is at approximately 5 p.m., Bowen said, with competition set to begin at 6 p.m.

The Nebraska team will face other Maine regional all-star squads Tuesday at Winslow High School, June 24 at the Portland Expo in conjunction with the Maine Games, and June 26 at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle.

Barkac, Pelletier honored

Chris Barkac of Dexter High and Caleb Pelletier of Foxcroft Academy have been named 2005 honorable mention All-Americans by Wrestling USA magazine.

Barkac, a senior from Parkman, last winter became only the seventh wrestler in Maine high school history to win four individual state championships, at 130 pounds. Barkac was undefeated against in-state high school competition during his last two seasons, and finished his career with a 132-1 record in Maine, 138-8 overall.

Barkac finished second in this year’s New England championships.

Pelletier, a senior from Charleston, won his third consecutive individual state title last winter and second at 152 pounds. He also led Foxcroft to its second straight Class C state team championship. He finished his career with a 122-25 record at Foxcroft.