Martin Cosgrove figured it would be his annual spot at the shore.
The Camden Catholic wrestler had put in years of sweat equity. It was supposed to be a down payment on a three-year lease atop the podium at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, where he proudly stood as a sophomore state champion of New Jersey’s 195-pound weight class in 2020.
Same time next year was the plan, until a tiny misstep at practice last year.
Cosgrove broke the third metacarpal in his right hand just a few weeks before he’d need to qualify for another run at a state title. As quickly as the bone snapped, his season — and a chance to be Camden Catholic’s first three-time state champ — were done.
“It was in practice,” Cosgrove said. “We were sparring, and I hit a single leg [takedown] and was reaching for the back leg and my partner accidentally stepped over and my hand just got in a weird position and got caught. I knew it right away.”
He didn’t need surgery, but he would need time for the injury to heal. The doctors warned that further injury could cause permanent damage, so Cosgrove was forced to sit out his junior year. “It was pretty disappointing.”
Cosgrove is now a senior and has been looking to claim back what he wasn’t able to defend last year, although he’s bumped up a weight class to wrestle at 215. He’ll be looking to join Taylor Walsh and Lucas Revano as the only Camden Catholic wrestlers to win multiple state championships.
He’s been unstoppable on the mat during the regular season and through both districts and regions, going undefeated thus far. He’s helped the Irish to an 11-3 record, an Olympic Conference National Division title, and a District 27 team championship. He’s also yet to wrestle a full six-minute match, as every bout he’s competed in this season has ended by either pin or tech fall.
Cosgrove sharpened his skills over the summer by competing at the U.S. Junior Freestyle National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota, where he placed fourth in the country at 220 pounds. He loved the experience of competing in the Midwest, but he could do without the air travel.
“Not a big plane guy,” Cosgrove said with a laugh.
He may have to get used to it as he’s committed to wrestle at the University of Pennsylvania next season, and the Quakers often travel out of their time zone for tournaments. But Cosgrove said he’s happy to only be a car ride away from returning home to Gibbstown; Philadelphia, he said, was an easy choice once he visited the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center on the Quakers’ campus.
“They have really good partners, and the guys on the team are all super nice,” said Cosgrove, who carries a 3.96 GPA and wants to study finance or accounting while earning an Ivy League degree. “The coaches are great; the city is great and I’m very excited.”
He also admits to being a bit of a foodie. And good food isn’t hard to find in that part of the city.
“Yeah, I like to eat,” Cosgrove said with a smile. “During wrestling season, I try to keep a strict diet so I can perform well. But I like to eat. Another week and I can enjoy it.”
He’s counting down the days. A big meal will hopefully follow a big week in Atlantic City. It’ll likely be shared with his dad, who was a wrestler at Maple Shade High School and got him into wrestling at age 6.
“As a kid, it can be hard work,” Cosgrove said. “There’s a lot of practicing and not as much hanging out with your friends as you want. But it all leads up to this moment and it all pays off. My dad pushes me to be the best I can possibly be, and I’m very thankful for that.”
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