SAUGUS — Three student-athletes signed their college commitment letters at Saugus Middle High School on Wednesday. Madison Botta (Saint Anselm College), Cam Soroko (Bryant University), and Cam Bernard (New River Community College) have found their next homes to study and take part in athletics.
Bernard and Soroko are playing baseball, while Botta will continue her soccer career.
Saugus baseball coach Joe Luis spoke to the audience about Bernard’s resilience. That’s because he suffered a broken leg when he was in eighth grade.
“Cam broke his leg in a game against Masco and had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Right then and there, his career could have been over, but he’s always taken challenges head on,” Luis said. “He’s always shown resilience in tough situations and has never backed down from hard work. He’s grown stronger each season and turned into the kind of player any coach would love to have.”
Bernard delivered a stellar junior season, pitching 45 innings with a 2.44 ERA and 45 strikeouts.
“It was a lot of physical therapy, but it motivated me to get back out there,” he said. “Not being able to play the game that I love kept me motivated to get back out there and be better.”
Next up – or, on deck – was Soroko.
Luis recalled one story in particular. A young Soroko was thrown out at third base because he didn’t stop at second, but even though he was thrown out, Luis knew there was something to work with.
“From that moment on, I knew never to give him the stop sign again because there was no stopping him from accomplishing his goals,” Luis said. “You showed us all what it meant to commit fully to a dream. From early morning workouts to hitting off the tee late at night, you balanced athletics and academics with honesty and determination.”
Soroko – who sports a batting average of .385 and a slugging percentage of. 565 – knew it was the right time to commit.
“I felt like I already knew my heart was telling me to go to Bryant,” he said. “The baseball program is great, the coaches are great, and it reminds me of my AAU team, the Vikings. The campus is beautiful and they have a great business program.”
Next was Botta, who was introduced by first-year coach April Martinez.
“Definitely a role model on and off the field. She’s always positive and always has something nice to say before a game and her teammates look to her for words of encouragement,” Martinez said. “There’s never a negative thing that comes out of her mouth. When she’s playing bad, she’ll tell her teammates she’s playing bad. She’s a really selfless person who cares most about the team.”
Botta finished her senior year in style. Not only did she reach 100 career points in a win against Salem, but finished the season with 38 goals and 16 assists.
But the next time she suits up, it will be in New Hampshire, where she “can’t wait to get to work.
“I’m excited. I really like the community and the team,” Botta said. “I can’t wait to be with the team, work hard, and win a lot of games there.”
Athletic Director Matt Serino praised the three athletes for inspiring the next generation of Sachems.
“What these athletes don’t realize is the impact they have on our community. Not just the community as a whole, but the younger generation,” Serino said. “We have kids looking up to them who want to come to Saugus High School and be the next Cam Soroko, Cam Bernard, and Madison Botta.”
