By Sam Gobeyn

This past weekend Jesse Mendez put the state on notice, winning the Al Smith at 126 pounds. On his way to the title he defeated 6th ranked Logan Wagner by a score of 16-1 in the semi-finals. Then, in the finals, he defeated previously first ranked and returning state champion Hunter Watts in a decisive 5-2 match. Despite being a freshman, he has now made himself the clear favorite at this weight class as we get closer to the postseason. We caught up with him, below, to talk about his big weekend.   
 

You were one of the best middle schoolers in the country last year, winning a lot of national tournaments, but this is your first high school season. Has it been an adjustment for you at all?

There weren’t too many major adjustments. I just had to adjust to more consistent practices and wrestling bigger guys.

 

The Al Smith is regarded by many people to be the toughest tournament in Indiana other than the state tournament. What were your expectations going into the tournament and what if anything surprised you?

It was a lot tougher than I expected it to be, there is a lot depth at that tournament. I had returning placer Logan Wagner in the semi’s and then I had returning state champion Hunter Watts in the finals.

 

Your weight at Al Smith was probably the toughest in my opinion, and you won pretty dominantly including a controlled 5-2 victory over Hunter Watts in probably the most anticipated match of the year so far. Tell us how you have that poise already as a freshman?

I have been having big matches basically my entire life. Ever since I was seven, my family has traveled the country to try to seek out the best competetion and that has prepared me for these big moments.

 

What are your goals for the rest of the season and beyond?

My goals for this season are to be at the top of the podium at state and do it in the most dominant fashion possible. I also want to win flo nationals, cadet world team trials and cadet worlds and then hopefully get to go to whose number one and get that top spot in the country. 

 

What do you like to do outside of wrestling?

I like to go watch my sister play softball and go see movies.

 

Is there anyone you want to thank?

I would like to thank my wrestling partners that push me to get better every day, my coaches for helping me improve so far this year and my family for sacrificing so much to help me get to this point.