By Matt Singledecker

Springfield Times Reporter

PORTLAND – Heading into the 130-pound 5A state championship wrestling match, Thurston's Joe Gardner knew he'd have to be at his absolute best to take home his second title.

While Gardner went the entire six minutes with Hillsboro's Joey Rodriguez, he fell 7-0 to the tournament's No. 1 seed.

"It hurts to know I lost, but I gave everything I had," Gardner said. "I'm glad I got to the finals and a little sad my career's over, but I have nothing to be ashamed of."

Gardner's second-place finish capped an illustrious career that included four district titles, a state title his sophomore year and four state places. He's only the second four-time state placer in THS history.

"His name is going to be up on our wrestling wall with all the great ones," said THS coach Mike Simons. "Today he closed the point distance with Rodriguez, but they just had contrasting styles. Joe gave his all and that's all you can ask for."

Gardner chose to look at his overall record.

"I've been working at this for 10 years and to have the career I've had with four state places, I couldn't ask for anything better," he said.

While no Colts or Springfield Millers won, four Lowell grapplers took home titles in the 1A/2A category.

Gardner wasn't the only Colt to do well at state. Robbie Bird (140) finished fourth, Jeff Halcott (145) placed fifth and Austin Miller (160) finished seventh. Thurston finished 12th in 5A with 67 points.

Lowell's Zac Cardwell has wanted to match his dad's four wrestling state titles ever since he started.

After crushing the 1A/2A 171-pound class and winning his third consecutive state crown, he's only one away from stealing bragging rights at the family dinner table.

"It feels awesome," said Zac, who had three pins. "My goal coming in was to dominate everyone and I think I did that. My goal is to live up to my dad's expectations and, God willing, I will next year."

Cardwell's dad, Jeff, is Lowell's head coach and said his son is as strong as they come.

"He's tough. I work out with him a lot and I still beat him, but he's getting there," Jeff laughed. "Nobody works harder. He deserves all the credit he gets."

Zach was one of four state champions for Lowell, giving the program 101 individual state titles overall. The Red Devils finished second as a team behind Culver.

No. 1 seeds Jaxon Ward (135) and Kyle Riggs (145) left with first-place medals around their necks. Boone Casarez (152) was unranked coming in, but shocked the field and won.

State didn't go well for the Millers as Nick Mattos, Springfield's best hope for a state placer, didn't make weight and was disqualified.

Mattos was 0.7 pounds over his necessary 152 pounds. It would have been his second consecutive year competing at the state meet.

"He was really disappointed when he found out but he stayed around and supported the team which was nice to see," said SHS coach Josh Jones.

Eli Siegle (135) and Daniel Neuberger (215) both lost two matches to give the Millers an early exit last Thursday. Siegle lost his first round match to the No. 1 seed, West Albany's Eli Marvin in 1:08.

For more on this and other news from around the Springfield area, be sure to pick up a copy of the March 5 issue of Springfield Times, available at news racks and stores all around the area. Look under the 'Newspaper Locations' link on this site to find out where. To subscribe to the paper, call 741-7368 or stop by 741 Main St.