Looking to watch some of the region’s best wrestlers compete for first place bragging rights and awards?
The Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Association (MAWA) is celebrating its 51st anniversary this year. They first hosted the Eastern National Championship in Wicomico County in 1991. This is the 12th straight year that Wicomico County has hosted the MAWA Eastern National Championship. The event brings in over 1,400 wrestlers that compete in seven different divisions.
The estimated economic impact MAWA brings to Wicomico County is over $2 million. Wicomico County also hosts the MAWA South Regionals tournament, which is a qualifier for the Eastern National tournament. That was held in the second weekend of April at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center and over 1,200 wrestlers participated, generating an estimated impact of $1.2 million.
This year’s Nationals will be especially meaningful, as MAWA Founder and President, Michael L. Smith, passed away earlier this year. Smith was a pioneer in the wrestling world, earning honors by Wrestling USA as the “Person of the Year,” National AAU Wrestling Junior Olympic “Man of the Year” and the National AAU Wrestling Committee’s sustained Superior Award for the lifetime achievement in the sport of wrestling.
“The Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association Eastern Nationals boasts 1,400 of the region’s best wrestlers,” stated Andrew Kurtz, Sports Marketing Representative for Wicomico County Recreation, Parks, Tourism & Civic Center. “They have advanced from a total pool of 10,000 to compete here in Salisbury, MD. The wrestlers range from 7 years old all the way to 40+ years old, showcasing passionate wrestling across all age groups. We are proud to be partners with MAWA and work hard to make sure that this is one of the best wrestling tournaments in the Mid-Atlantic.”
To learn more about the Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Association, please visit their website for additional information.
