Cardwell commits to Roadrunners
One of the most stressful parts of senior year for any high school student is figuring out what college they’ll attend next year. But for Monache High School star wrestler Mark Cardwell, that decision’s already been made.
In late August, Cardwell announced that he had verbally committed to California State University, Bakersfield and will suit up for the Roadrunners on a full-ride scholarship. He’ll wrestle in the 174-pound weight class while pursuing a degree in kinesiology. CSU Bakersfield is an NCAA Division I school that wrestles in the Pac 12 Conference.
“I never thought I’d go to Csu-bakersfield but the coach gave me an offer, said come out and check it out,” Cardwell said. “So I went out there and checked it out and I ended up really liking it. I like the coaches and I just like the feel in the wrestling room, like the intensity. I feel like they get something out of every practice. I feel like I could do big things there.”
As a Marauder, Cardwell’s already done big things, and is on track to become the first Monache wrestler to be a four-time state qualifier and East Yosemite League champion.
Last season as a junior, Cardwell went 53-7 and finished fourth at the CIF State Championship meet — his first time placing. In his final season with the Marauders, the Recorder’s two-time Orange Belt Boys Wrestler of the Year said he hopes to go undefeated and finish high school with no regrets and a state championship.
Surprisingly, with all of his success on the mat, Cardwell said he was unsure if he was going to have a college to compete at next season, and was “relieved” to commit to Bakersfield.
“It’s relieving because it’s one less thing I have to worry about,” Cardwell said. “I can focus more on school now. I don’t have to be thinking about, ‘Man, what if I don’t even get into a school?’ Or something like that, because I was thinking that. Now I’m already committed to a school ,so it’s like a weight taken off my shoulders.”
Monache head coach Arthur Demerath said he was proud of Cardwell for committing to a four-year school where he could continue to wrestle.
“I’m very proud of the effort and the work he’s put in. It’s shown that because of all his discipline, work ethic and how much time he’s been in this room, it’s paid off,” Demerath said. “And that’s one of my goals is to always get kids to college. Especially a four-year college, one that’s going to give him a scholarship. If we can hopefully continue that process, we can get more and more kids in this room...anywhere, I don’t care. As long as it’s a four-year college I’d be happy to see them in there and wrestling.”
Former Marauder and 2014 CIF State Champion Matt Gamble redshirted for Bakersfield PHOTO before transferring to San Francisco State University, and has told Cardwell and Demerath about what Cardwell should expect from CSUB head coach Manny Rivera and his coaching staff.
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