Greg Saumenig spent nearly two years just trying to win his first junior league match.
Today, the Old Mill High wrestler is considered one of the area?s best and is going after his second straight Class 4A-3A state title. After posting a 35-1 record last season at 112 pounds, he is ready to do the same at 125 this year.
To Saumenig, who began wrestling at age 7, there are no friends on the mat. He enters each match with a businesslike approach, one he has taken since stepping onto the mat for the first time as a 90-pound freshman for the Patriots? varsity squad.
“Every time on the mat, he?s straight ahead and very entertaining,” said Old Mill coach Jim Grim, who jokes that he still calls Saumenig “little man” despite the 35 pounds the wrestler has put on during his high school career. “It doesn?t matter who you are to Greg. He knows a lot of the wrestlers and gets along with them all. But once the whistle sounds, he?s ready to wrestle.”
Saumenig said his early struggles in junior league left a bitter taste in his mouth and made him consider quitting. But instead of getting upset about losing, he persevered, working harder at the sport thanks to the encouragement from his father, Art.
Saumenig, a starter at Old Mill all four years, is more than just a state champion. He is also a two-time Anne Arundel County and Class 4A/3A East Region winner. All of those titles are something that Saumenig expects to claim again in his senior season.
“I?m excited about this season,” he said. “I had to learn to love wrestling when I was younger, and I?m glad I did.”
Grim said he is very proud of all of Saumenig?s accomplishments. But he gained even more respect for Saumenig last weekend following his 5-0 defeat to McDonogh?s Josh Fitch in the Ray Oliver Invitational finals.
“Many big-time studs don?t deal well with losing,” Grim said. “But one thing I?ve always preached is that you win with respect and you lose with respect. Greg has always done that, and when he loses, he uses it as motivation for his next match.”
