By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

BATH – The lives and careers of wrestlers are often intertwined. That was the theme of the Maine Amateur Hall Of Fame banquet on Saturday night.

The 2005 class included Dennis Bishop, coach Matt Rix and wrestlers Bryan Brunk and Tom Layte. The distinguished foursome was honored at the Hyde School.

The MAWA has inducted individuals to further promote the world’s oldest sport.

The first to be recognized was Dr. Frank Kieliszek as Person of the Year for his countless hours of dedication to wrestling programs in the Oxford Hills area. Kieliszek, affiliated with Oxford Hills Internal Medicine, was introduced to the sport when his sons competed at Oxford Hills High School.

He immediately became concerned over the absence of a weight program to prevent wrestlers from becoming involved in yo-yo dieting.

It was common for individuals to try weight-reduction measures that could be detrimental to their health. Kieliszek designed a weight management program, and the Maine Principals’ Association has implemented a statewide weight program.

“Frank Kieliszek is always willing to give his time,” said presenter John Cole. “It requires a lot of effort in order to host a wrestling tournament, and Frank works tirelessly behind the scenes.

These activities are not limited to the Oxford Hills area because he has worked at tournaments in Sanford and Rumford.”

For the past four decades, Bishop’s integrity has earned him a great deal of respect in the sport. He has worn a number of different hats and served as president of the MIWOA for five years and MAWA president from 1996-2003. Bishop has also coached several teams, including Mt. Ararat from 1981-89.

“Wrestling has taught me a lot,” Bishop said. “I’ve learned values, respect other people and to have integrity. Also, if you give of yourself, the sport will give you a great deal in return.”

Rix has been the driving force behind the Marshwood program for approximately 17 years.

The Hawks won four Class B state championships and was runner-up the past two Class A seasons.

Marshwood has compiled an impressive record of 240 wins and 50 losses, averaging 23 dual-meet wins each year. Rix has always produced solid tournament teams, which has included nearly 40 individual state champions.

“Success doesn’t simply appear,” Rix said. “A wrestler needs to be willing to work at his craft. This means competing during the off season; you need to be committed.”

Rix has been a great promoter of USA Wrestling and has enhanced Maine wrestling with freestyle and Greco roman tournaments.

Brunk, a three-time Class A state champion at Bonny Eagle, also won two New England championships at Western New England College. He was an assistant coach for five years at the University of Southern Maine.

Brunk is current head coach at Messiah College in Pennsylvania and was voted the National Division III Rookie Coach of the Year in 2004. He received the Division III Bob Bubb Outstanding Coach Award this year.

Layte wrestled at Portland High School, and won a New England championship in at WNEC 1992 and a Division III National Champion at Augsburg College. Layte finished his college career with 124 wins.

“I learned some thing about myself from each loss,” Layte said.

“I remember a 3-2 lost to Brian Carrier in the semifinals at the state meet. I wasn’t able to accomplish my goals in high school, and I feel that it made me strive for greater success in college.”

He is an operation manager for a brokerage firm in Boston and a head coach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Chris Barkac of Dexter was voted the MAWA wrestler of the Year. The four-time state champion, was a New England finalist in March.