Maine, Nebraska open wrestling series tonight

BREWER – Brewer High School will host the first meet of the 21st Maine-Nebraska Wrestling Series competition beginning today at 6 p.m.

The Maine-Nebraska Friendship Series is the longest-running exchange of its type between two states. Since 1985, the states have alternated as host, with the visiting team typically wrestling at four different sites.

This year, a team of high school wrestlers from Nebraska will compete against four different Maine teams: At Brewer; Winslow Tuesday evening; Portland on Friday in conjunction with the Maine Games; and Sunday at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle.

The team representing Maine in the Brewer meet is expected to be led by four-time state champion Chris Barkac of Dexter; his brother Jeremiah Barkac, a two-time state champion, as well as fellow two-time state champions Tom Burns of Ellsworth, Harry Pearson of Camden Hills of Rockport, and Shane Webber of Mt. Blue of Farmington.