Two Camden Catholic wrestlers took different routes to top

Two seniors. Two careers. Two perspectives.

When the army of young guys on the Camden Catholic wrestling team looks up at the two seniors on the roster, they see two examples of success in this most demanding of sports.

Camden Catholic senior 130-pounder Matt Sausman has been a star since his first day in the room. He is a three-time District 28 champion. He was second in Region 7 in 2008, first in 2009, and second in 2010.

Camden Catholic senior 160-pound Matt McBride is a classic program wrestler. He spent most of his career getting worked over by more accomplished teammates and competing at the junior-varsity level. He finally cracked the varsity lineup this season.

"They show the different ways that wrestlers sometimes have to approach things," Camden Catholic coach Jerry Boland said. "Some kids come in and they are stud freshmen right away. Other kids have to really pay their dues in order to get in the lineup."

Both seniors are making a major impact for the Irish, who are 13-3 and No. 4 in South Jersey in The Inquirer Top 10.

Sausman is 16-2. His only two losses were by 3-1 to Phillipsburg's Matt Lane and 2-0 to Solomen Chisko of Western Pennsylvania power Canon McMillan at the Virginia Duals.

Sausman looks primed to make his mark again at the district and region level, and perhaps at the state tournament in Atlantic City, too.

"It's different, being a senior," Sausman said. "I like it. I like being a leader, showing the younger guys some things. The older guys used to set an example for me, and now I have to set an example for the younger guys."

Asked what he has tried to show the younger wrestlers in the program, Sausman said, "Be mean on the mat. Be classy off the mat but be mean on the mat."

McBride is 13-8. He has won six matches in a row. He won his bout against South Plainfield's Alex Lundy, setting the tone for the Irish on Jan. 21 in a competitive loss to one of the state's top teams.

McBride also won a 4-3 decision over Lenape's Matt Jolly in the first bout of the match to help the Irish to victory in clash of Top 10 teams Monday.

"I wish I could figure out what it is," McBride said of his improvement. "I just think all the hard work is paying off. All that work in three off-seasons is making a difference for me."

McBride's determination has been a positive example to Camden Catholic's younger wrestlers, and to wrestlers all over South Jersey as well.

"Matt [McBride] is kind of an old-school guy," Boland said. "So many kids today want immediate success. They want it right away. Matt has shown what hard work and determination can do.

"It's really kind of amazing what he's been able to do for us, the way he's taken to his role as a senior."

Sausman said his unheralded classmate has supplied a big boost for the Irish.

"Matt McBride has been stepping up tremendously," Sausman said. "He's been getting so many big wins for us."

Camden Catholic is one of South Jersey's youngest top teams. The Irish had five sophomores and four freshmen in the lineup in their 40-21 victory over Lenape.

But for all their talent, those young wrestlers still need leadership from an experienced senior.

Or from two seniors with vastly different experiences.