Located just south of Atlantic City, Ocean City, New Jersey, has produced a few notable athletes who have built their legacies on both local and national stages. Not all of these Ocean City natives went on to have careers in professional sports; however, their dominance in high school and collegiate competition is worthy of recognition.
Archie Harris was a 1937 graduate of Ocean City High School. He’d eventually go on to set world records in 1941. Harris attended Indiana University and was a three-year starter for the Hoosiers as a tight end, earning second-team honors.
Doug Colman is another Ocean City High School alumnus who went on to enjoy an NFL career. He was a two-way star for Ocean City as a fullback and linebacker, rushing for over 1,000 yards and winning South Jersey Defensive Player of the Year.
Colman was part of the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ dynasty, winning consecutive National Championships in 1994 and 1995. The Cornhuskers maintained a perfect record during this two-year dynasty run.
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Maurice Catarcio wound up becoming a professional wrestler and was known for his extreme strength feats, leading to a Guinness World Record for pulling a passenger-filled boat. Nicknamed “The Matador,” Catarcio competed in the World Wide Wrestling Federation between 1957 and 1960.
Chad Severs, a New Jersey soccer legend, recorded the second-most goals in state history, finishing with 159. A 2001 graduate, Severs continued his scoring production at Penn State University.
He won Freshman of the Year and ranked sixth in the Big Ten’s all-time scoring record. Severs wound up going professional with the Harrisburg City Islanders and Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Championship.
The final three athletes we’re spotlighting out of Ocean City made their biggest impact while competing at Ocean City High School. Miles Schoedler, Cory Picketts, and Brittany Sedberry each set records, with Schoedler and Sedberry doing this as male and female cross country runners.
Schoedler was named Athlete of the Decade for the Ocean City High School Boys Track team. He graduated in 2011 before continuing his career as a cross country runner at Georgetown University.
Sedberry won three straight South Jersey cross country championships, in addition to two state titles. Her team never lost a dual meet. Sedberry graduated in 2006 and became a swimmer at LaSalle University, where she set multiple records for best event times.
Cory Picketts earned her recognition as an elite player in both field hockey and softball. She was named the Top Female Athlete of the 20th Century and graduated in 2000.
Picketts racked up 79 goals in two seasons for Ocean City High School’s field hockey team. This led to the Red Raiders winning three state titles. She was just as talented in softball, posting a .425 career batting average, an Ocean City High School record, and also became the total hits leader.
