This week's Noble Invitational will feature a competition for girls only, to run concurrently with its usual format for co-ed teams.

Local high school games for Wednesday, Dec. 20, and Thursday, Dec. 21.

Not much separates Massabesic, Noble and Sanford at the top of Class A South, while Wells is primed for another Class B title run.

These outstanding wrestlers include several Varsity Maine All-State selections from last season.

After finishing second to Noble at the Class A state championships in their first season under Coach Joe Eon, the Mustangs are determined to end a 15-year title drought.

After becoming the first girl in Maine history to win a state title in an open tournament, the Oceanside senior sets her sights on another banner year.

The former Gardiner High and USM standout will be inducted Aug. 19 at Mast Landing Brewing in Freeport.

This year's list includes three wrestlers from Class A champion Noble and six repeat selections.

Ripley, a junior, became the first girl in Maine to win an individual state title while wrestling against boys.

The senior finished his career unbeaten against Maine competition as a three-time Class A champion.

The Oceanside High junior, who on Saturday became the first girl in Maine to win a state title while competing against boys, earns another championship on Tuesday.

The Knights get three individual champions and pull away late to outdistance Massabesic.

The Oceanside junior makes history at the Class B state wrestling championships. Wells High wins the team title.

Noble looks like the team to beat in Class A, while Wells appears likely to have a headlock on the Class B title.

The Knights meet their expectations, while top contenders Sanford and Massabesic suffer a few crucial losses that could also affect them at the state championships.

Wells, the Class B champion, completes a perfect dual meet season in Saturday's tournament at Cony High.

Mt. Ararat’s Shea Farrell (Class A), Erskine’s Tyreke Burke (Class B) named Most Outstanding Wrestlers.

Several Maine wrestlers shine and Wells places second among 24 teams at what is generally considered Maine's toughest wrestling tournament.

After years of decline in the sport, several teams are reporting an increase in participation this season as pandemic restrictions have been lifted.

A 4-team KVAC meet between Cony, Morse, Belfast and Nokomis featured a strong showing of wrestlers.

Massabesic finishes second by three points to Rhode Island power Bishop Hendricken, while Noble, Wells, Camden Hills and Sanford finish in the top six.

Coming off a dual meet state title last season, Sanford is aiming for its first Class A championship since 1995.

Several regional and state champions return this season for a shot at more titles.

Ayden Cofone's father and uncle had impressive careers as high school wrestlers. He could be better than either of them.

Eagles, the defending Class A state champ, return enough talent to contend again this winter.

Mt. Ararat/Brunswick Coach Erick Jensen, a 2021 selection, will also officially enter the hall at Saturday's ceremony.

A sophomore, Ripley became the first girl to win a KVAC title and then made it to the championship round at the Class B state meet.

Two freshmen and a sophomore are among the 14 All-State wrestlers.

These are our choices for the state's top high school athletes in basketball, hockey, indoor track, swimming, skiing and wrestling.

The senior pinned every Maine opponent in the first round and placed second at the New England championships at 170 pounds.

Mia-Claire Kezal and three other Maine athletes break state records at the New England high school indoor track championship.

The two-day tournament in Providence returns after a one-year hiatus.

Savannah Eastler and Hayleigh Martz of Camden Hills and Delani Rector of Morse join Maddie Ripley as winners at the girls' individual state championships.

Sanford defeats Kennebunk in the Class A final, and Mattanawcook tops Morse in Class B.

Wrestling against boys, the Oceanside sophomore advanced to the finals before losing to Mattanawcook Academy's Deegan Tidswell.

The Eagles edge a deep field in their home gym, finishing seven points ahead of runner-up Sanford.

The South regional champion will face several tough teams Saturday at the Class A championships, while Mattanawcook Academy is favored in Class B.

Wrestling mostly against boys, the sophomore is 32-1 this season and won the Class B South 113-pound title.

It's the first regional title since 1995 for the Rams, who edge Noble in a hotly contested competition.

Wrestlers and coaches endured COVID, canceled meets and small rosters to return to championship tournaments.

For Cheverus, the event was about honoring one of the school's former wrestlers. For other teams, it was a day to take advantage and learn from being in a tournament atmosphere.

The pandemic has impacted the sport, which is in a bounce-back year after not being offered in 2020-21.

Leavitt, a Class A heavyweight champion who was killed in a car accident in 2020, helped to build what is now a growing program.

Coaches and athletes are thankful to be able to compete this season after last year's was canceled – even if they must wear masks.

After last season was wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic, these wrestlers will get a chance to display their talents this winter.

Defending champions Noble (Class A) and Wells (Class B) should be in the mix heading into the state meets this winter.

The Maine Principals' Association informed schools last week that wrestlers must be vaccinated. Now the organization is reconsidering its stance, with the season less than two weeks away.

Tackle football and wrestling had been deemed "high risk" by community guidelines, and couldn't have competitions last season.

The Maine Principals' Association will allow wrestlers to continue conditioning workouts with coaches for the next two weeks, but there will be no competitions.

Maine Principals' Association postpones meeting with community sports guidelines unchanged and wrestling still considered 'high risk.'