One wrestler, heavyweight Arto Vartanian, attacks with the sheer, brutal mauling ferocity of a grizzly.
The other, sleek 130-pounder Lonnie Donner, is the cobra, meticulously seeking the right moment, uncoiling and striking suddenly.
Each is successful in his own way, to the pleasure of Broadneck coach John Mayberry, whose Bruins (14-2), ranked No. 6 in the area, play host to a tournament tomorrow featuring No. 4 Northeast and No. 8 South Carroll.
The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Vartanian (19-2, 17 pins) transferred from Illinois last season.
"He came in and lost a close wrestle-off with Pete Borradaile, our heavyweight last year, but he didn't stay out for the team," said Mayberry. "We're glad he's back. He's got great quickness for his size and he's solid on his feet."
Vartanian, a second-team All-Metro football lineman in the fall, began this season with a third-place finish at the Annapolis Tournament, being pinned in the first period by Mount St. Joseph's then-No. 1-ranked Kenny Hunter after leading, 2-0.
His other loss was a third-period pin against LaPlata's unbeaten, 255-pound Andy Fox. He had led 10-4, and nearly pinned Fox.
Between the losses were victories at a tournament in Sterling, Va. -- one where Donner (21-2, 13 pins, five technical falls) received Outstanding Wrestler honors -- and a default win over Old Mill's previously unbeaten and top-ranked Don Patterson (189).
"I told him that if he was going to get any sort of recognition, he had to beat Patterson," said Mayberry. "He was really pumped up and went out after him."
Only assistant coach Mark Putnam, has been able to stay with the heavyweight.
He's taller, weighs about 30 pounds less than Vartanian, and "shows me a lot about balance and moves," said Vartanian. "He's pretty much the only one who can hang with me."
Donner need look no farther than across the dinner table to find a tough opponent.
"We always wrestle. He knows my weaknesses and I know his
strengths," said his brother James, a senior and the Bruins' 119-pounder. "Lonnie's first to attack your openings. He'll see the move and hit it hard."
Lonnie Donner went 23-12 last year and placed fifth in the county while James and returnees Todd Betz (125), Isaac Putnam (140) and Joe Yancy (145) all placed fourth.
He fared better in the regionals, edging Baltimore City champ Wayne Lucas, 7-6, for third place. James also was third, with Betz and Yancy placing fourth.
A veteran of six junior league seasons, Lonnie had the skills. He just needed to improve his poise and intensity.
Donner worked on both during summer tournaments and at a camp in wrestling-rich Pennsylvania.
"I did a lot of off-season wrestling in the spring and during the preseason," said Donner. "It's really helped with my intensity, especially being in Pennsylvania. I was second in a couple tournaments."
Donner's only losses came by decision -- both to Gonzaga's National Prep runner-up John Kalil en route to placing fourth at the season-opening Annapolis Tournament.
His most satisfying victory was a first-period pin against Northeast's Glen Lail, who pinned Donner last year before later losing a decision to him.
Donner also has blanked Old Mill's Gary Serago, 9-0, wrestled up at 135 for a decision over Arundel's Tim Kelly, and earned a 10-2 win over Chesapeake's Carl Ciccetti, winner of the Aberdeen and Arundel Christmas tournaments.
"They've [Vartanian and Donner] been a nice surprise, doing this well," said Mayberry. "They're aggressive and they just take it to guys and they're counted on to win."