FARMINGTON – Maine’s female wrestlers will get the opportunity to compete on a wrestling mat one last time this season at the second annual Maine High School Girls’ Invitational.

The meet is scheduled for Wednesday at Mt. Blue High School, starting at 11 a.m.

“It is exciting for me to play a role in heightening the awareness of not just the sport of girls wrestling, but female issues as well,” said Arvid Cullenberg, who is the meet organizer. “There is no question that the discipline needed for success with wrestling carries over to everyday life. I have seen interest in girls’ wrestling improve tremendously over the last several years.”

Girls have been allowed to join wrestling teams for the past several years. Being a traditional male sport, the girls have to wrestle against the boys, and they quite often experience troubles.

This tournament will allow girls to compete on a level playing field.

Last year’s meet attracted 53 competitors from 31 schools throughout Maine. Cullenberg said preliminary signups are ahead of last year at this time.

Weight classes will be determined by grouping entries, and all seeding will be drawn. Finals will be showcased under the mat light. Team awards will be given to first and second places; with awards to the top 4 wrestlers in each class and an outstanding wrestler award.

In a preseason national poll, five Maine athletes were ranked in the top 12. According to the U.S. Girls’ Wrestling Association, sophomore Kayleigh Longley of Noble was ranked eighth in the 98-pound weight class, senior Logan Rich of Camden Hills was fifth at 112, senior Kelley Golek of Mt Ararat was 10th at 112, Kyia Bryant of Mt. View was 12th and senior Tierra Williams of Hyde was ranked third at 133. Longley, Golex (second Maine female with more than 100 wins) and Williams are each defending champions.

“Girls wrestling has been part of many cultures throughout history,” Cullenberg said. “As of 2004, it has been recognized as an Olympic sport. Presently there are over 5,000 high school girls wrestling in the U.S. Many Maine girls go on to tournaments throughout New England and attend national championships, where they represent our state very well.”