Cardello two-for-two at state wrestling tourneys

Matthew Cardello took advantage of home mat advantage for the second straight weekend, placing among the state’s best last weekend at the OAC Grade School State Wrestling Championships at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown.

At the OAC junior high tournament at the Covelli March 10-11, the sixth-grader finished fourth while facing mostly seventh and eighth-graders. This past weekend, he did even better among the grade school competition, taking second at 80 pounds.

That topped his fourth-place finish at 65 pounds at the 2011 Grade School event.

Winning his first four matches, Cardello advanced to the championship match. In the championship, he faced his fellow teammate from Team Miron (Columbus), Jaden Mattox. Mattox was able to get the best of Cardello by securing a 6-0 victory.

Earlier this season, Cardello won a state championship at the OYWA State Championships at 82 pounds. During that event, he competed as a member of the North Akron Wrestling Club.