With districts a few days away, Cameron Robinson is healthy, confident and anxious.
His demeanor and approach isn’t entirely different from any other wrestler, but the Council Rock North senior’s presence and pedigree certainly is.
Robinson lost a tight, 3-2 match in the 145-pound Class 3A state final bout in his junior year, and he finished fifth at states as a sophomore.
He will enter this week’s District One Class 3A tournament at Quakertown Community High School with an overall 33-2 mark at 152 pounds, losing his lone two matches at the prestigious Powerade Tournament in western Pennsylvania. He is a three-time state qualifier and his career mark is a shimmering 142-25, and it helped earn him a scholarship to collegiate powerhouse Iowa State in the fall.
“The brighter the lights, the better he performs,” said CR North head coach Tom Vivacqua about his star grappler. “His goal is to get to the next level. He just wants to wrestle and isn’t bothered about anything. Cam is the type of wrestler that checks all the boxes.”
Unlike most wrestlers, Robinson won’t be bothered by the heightened surrounding over the next few weeks.
“I like the pressure,” he stressed. “I love the so-called big matches. It really helps build character for me. I get a little nervous before the match, but once it starts, I just go at my opponent.”
Entering his final season, Robinson took a more rigorous approach and hasn’t lessened his intensity. His two defeats at a national tournament elevated his awareness.
“This year from day one, I have tried to be as focused and dedicated as I can be,” he stated. “When you wrestle in a big tournament, you get to go against kids from all over the country. It was a different feeling and I loved it. It really helped to push me even further to work toward the end of the year.
“People tell me that I should win a state title this year. If I keep working, I believe I can do that. I know how I got there last year.”
Robinson began wrestling in third grade, a time when he began a plunge into soccer, football and lacrosse. Two years later, Robinson realized wrestling could be his sport.
“I really didn’t take it serious until fifth grade,” he recalled. “I tried a number of different sports until eighth grade. That’s when I decided to focus on wrestling.
“Since then, it has been a lot of fun.”
Vivacqua doesn’t see any major obstacles in his way. He reminds him in many ways of Jamie Callender, who won a state title with the Indians in 2010 and went on to wrestle at Drexel.
“Cam is unique in many ways and people don’t know that he is stronger than he looks,” he said. “His approach and work ethic is awesome. Like Jamie Callender, Cam is a very special wrestler. They both have a lot of the same qualities.
“Cam will be fun to watch.”
Robinson certainly is ready.
“I feel great and our coaches have prepared us for this point,” said Robinson. “I am trying to take it all in, and feel like I’m peaking at a good time.”
Along with Robinson, other wrestlers who could have a successful weekend are Quakertown’s Zach Borzio (106 pounds, 26-14), Todd McGann (113, 23-10), Zach Lewis (132, 31-5) and Jeremy McGuigan (285, 38-6), Pennridge’s Logan Green (195, 24-4), as well as Palisades’ Mason Smeland (145, 27-9) and Ben Haubert (152, 30-3) of District 11.
Faith Christian’s Eric Alderfer (120, 29-5), Max Schultz (152, 31-6), and Leo Muzika (195, 26-3) should be in the running at the District One/12 Class 2A tournament at Church Farm School.
