Unbeaten West Deptford wrestlers Shields and Carter are on a quest
They share a nickname, a zero on the right side of their won-lost records, and an understanding that their rise into the ranks of South Jersey's top wrestlers has been the result of sweat and sacrifice.
They share a nickname, a zero on the right side of their won-lost records, and an understanding that their rise into the ranks of South Jersey's top wrestlers has been the result of sweat and sacrifice.
But what Cameron Shields and Jason Carter really want to share is a ride to Atlantic City for the weekend of March 4-6.
"That's the goal," said Carter, West Deptford's senior 182-pound wrestler.
Said Shields, the Eagles' 160-pound senior: "We've been planning that for a long time."
The quest begins for Carter, Shields and every other South Jersey wrestler this weekend with the start of district competition.
That leads to regions, which funnel into states, where Carter and Shields have never been as competitors during their first three seasons as varsity wrestlers.
Maybe that's why West Deptford coach Christian Scannell regards his senior leaders as "so unique" and such great examples for the rest of his roster.
"You can look at both of them and think, 'These guys came out of nowhere this year,' " Scannell said. "These guys weren't superstars as freshmen. They worked to get where they are today.
"You can shout it from the top of the mountain, but it's really true: 'You want to get better. It's easy. Work hard.' "
It's rare for a wrestler who has never been a state qualifier to enter districts in his senior year undefeated.
West Deptford has two of them.
Shields is 26-0 with five falls and five technical falls. He has answered every challenge during West Deptford's daunting schedule, which included a drive to the South Jersey Group 2 championship match.
Carter is 25-0 with 11 falls. He has done the same as his close friend, leading the Eagles through the hard road of the Colonial Conference and deep into the state team tournament without a blemish on his record.
"We've moved them around [in weight classes], too," Scannell said. "There's a saying, 'Find your wrestler's losses.' We've challenged them. They've responded every time."
Shields has been a solid four-year wrestler for West Deptford, an athlete "who has gotten better every year," according to Scannell.
Shields finished fourth in Region 8 last season, missing a trip to Atlantic City by the margin of one place on the podium.
"That really drives me to make it this year," Shields said.
Carter's push into prominence is even more unlikely. Scannell said Carter was "something like 22-45" during his freshman and sophomore seasons at Williamstown.
Since transferring to West Deptford as a junior, Carter is 58-10.
"I just fell back in love with the sport," Carter said. "It's the hard work. It's the grind."
Carter and Shields have similar styles. They are light on their feet and aggressive, always looking to score.
"I think between the two of them, they've probably allowed two takedowns this year," Scannell said.
The two athletes have nicknamed themselves the "Money Team," and challenge each other in the wrestling room during workouts and before each other's bouts.
"We push each other to be better," Carter said.
Shields said the pair has plans for the last weekend of the long wrestling season.
"We want to room together in Atlantic City," Shields said.
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