Attack Team’s Mathie qualifies for OAC state mat tourney
Holmes Area Wrestling Club Elementary Attack Team member Rowand Mathie qualified for the Ohio Athletic Committee Grade School State Tournament by placing third at the Berea-Midpark District qualifier on March 3.
Mathie, a sixth-grader who competed at 80 pounds in Division IV, posted three consecutive fall wins to reach the championship semifinals, where he lost via technical fall to Tony Biondillo (Brecksville). Mathie recovered in the consolation semifinals, sewing up a state berth with a 58-second fall win over Peyton Kerns (330 Lab Wrestling Club).
He capped off the tourney with his fifth fall win, sticking Kasen Gates (Marlington) at 35 seconds in the third-place match. Mathie went 5-1 with all his wins via pin.
Mathie, along with teammates Jordan Vaughn (second grade), Graham Mathie (second), Chansen Hart (fourth), Clint Burgett (sixth) and Grantham Lovell (sixth), who all qualified earlier in the season, will be in the field for the OAC Grade School State Tournament, which will take place March 23-24 at the Covelli Center in Youngstown.