Wednesday, February 26, 2014
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Girard wrestler Nick Cardiero practices against Corley Lamb of Jackson-Milton during state wrestling media day Tuesday at Canfield High School. Cardiero will be competing in the 170-pound weight class at the Division III tournament this weekend in Columbus. It is his first trip to state. Lamb will attend as an alternate for the Bluejays.
Local wrestlers put in final preparations for this weekend’s state tournament
CANFIELD
Girard senior Nick Cardiero said he was “bummed out” after missing the Division III state wrestling tournament by two points last season.
He was so bummed out that he went and tallied more than 3,100 yards and 33 touchdowns on the football field as the Indians’ quarterback this past season.
“I think it helped,” Cardiero said with a smile.
It certainly didn’t hurt the 170-pound first-time state qualifier, who was one of 20 area wrestlers in attendance Tuesday afternoon at the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League state tournament media day in Canfield High School’s wrestling room.
The Cardinals had the largest showing with three wrestlers earning state tournament bids, but Girard was one of three other teams — Beaver Local and West Branch the others — with multiple representatives. Joining Cardiero at the state tournament in Columbus this weekend will be freshman Dakota McCloskey. It will be the first trip for both competitors, but neither think they’ll be feeling much pressure.
“It helps playing quarterback,” Cardiero said. “That’s a position where there’s a lot of pressure and I think that’s why wrestling in a big match doesn’t get to me.”
Another thing that helps — or hurts depending on how well your family gets along — is the fact that his wrestling coach is also his uncle, Jim Cardiero. He’s been at the head of the Indians’ wrestling program for the past 23 seasons and has seen a number of quality wrestlers come through the program, as well as a number of Cardieros.
“I’ve had a lot of nephews come through and I’m always harder on them just because I don’t want the other kids thinking they’re getting the special treatment,” Jim Cardiero said. “I expect more of them.”
This season, Nick Cardiero has performed up to his uncle’s standards as well as his own after a disappointing end to last season. The two points short he was of earning a trip to Columbus last season came in a district consolation semifinal match. Nick says he remembers the feeling he had after that loss and used it as motivation for this season.
“Every time I got tired I would think, ‘Two points, gotta push harder.’ ” he said. “I’m happy I made it this year. It’s a great feeling.”
Even the hard-to-please Jim Cardiero couldn’t hold back a smile when talking about his nephew’s success.
“I try and treat all the kids the same, but it’s your blood, someone you saw growing up since he was a baby,” Jim Cardiero said. “It’s good to see someone from the family qualify.
“He’s been wrestling very calm and he’s confident in what he can do.”
Nick Cardiero, who’s compiled a 36-5 record this season, said a top-five finish would be a satisfying result, but he understands what a huge accomplishment it is just to make the state tournament.
“It’s my last year, last weekend of wrestling, I’m just gonna have fun and try and get on that podium,” he said. “I wanted my last match to be in Columbus, not at our district, so I just kept pushing.”