Ocean City Says No To Beach Wrestling

Jacob Cook

Staff Writer

OCEAN CITY “Comparing a proposed wrestling event on the beach in June to nothing short of organized fighting, resort officials this week denied the special event request.

Close to approving an event, which would allow anyone from the public to wrestle on the Dorchester Street beach this summer, town officials grew leery during the City Council meeting on Monday as the presentation continued and ultimately denied the request.

With a motion by Council Secretary Jim Hall and a second by Councilman Jay Hancock, the Maryland Beach Wrestling Championships scheduled for June 17 appeared to be on its way this summer. As event details unraveled, however, Hall withdrew his motion and no other council member was willing to vote in favor of the event, sending Jeanne Gaetano of the Maryland State Wrestling Association out the door.

“I’m just not sure it’s the right event, I think we need more information,” said Council President Rick Meehan.

Ocean City Mayor Jim Mathias agreed.

“”¦ I have to say I share the concern of the council. I can tell you that if you have people wrestling around in the sand it’s going to draw a crowd,” said Mathias, referring to the organizer’s claim the event would draw a limited number of spectators.

Named the Maryland Beach Wrestling Championships, many on the City Council thought it would be an organized tournament of high school or college wrestlers who qualified, but they were quickly corrected. Gaetano said the event would be open to all ages and sign-up would take place as the activities went along. A first-time event for the state, there would be certified referees to supervise matches, which would take place on a roped off area of the sand.

“We’re very excited about this event, it will be the first in Maryland,” Gaetano said. “It’s a modified style of wrestling, it’s a little closer to freestyle wrestling. It’s on the sand and that’s how most wrestling is still done.”

After hearing event specifics, Hall withdrew his motion, saying he could not support the style of wrestling proposed. He said the timing was also problematic since a large number of high school- and college-aged students are in town.

“I have a little concern with someone who’s feeling their oats that day stepping into the ring with an experienced wrestler,” said Hall. “You had me until you said they would start from a standing position, to me that’s no more than fighting.”