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In an NCAA Wrestling Championships that perhaps didn't have as many high-profile Buckeyes as fans might be used to, Ohio State only needed one. Jesse Mendez repeated as champion at 141 lbs. And, like they always do for the finals in recent years, the NCAA has posted full video of the match.
Mendez lost only three matches on the season--two to Penn State's Beau Bartlett, and once to Nebraska's Brock Hardy. The Buckeye avenged all three of those losses in his final two matches at the NCAA Championships. He defeated Bartlett in the semifinals, in an incredible victory that required him to ride Bartlett for the entire 30-second 2OT period.
Mendez then faced Hardy in the final. The Buckeye fell behind early, as an excellent quick move by Hardy earned him a takedown and even two back points. Mendez didn't give up, though, getting a late takedown to end the first period. He carried that momentum to an early second-period takedown, which he turned into four back points and didn't let Hardy escape. He held that lead throughout the third period, conceding a late takedown when it guaranteed the match win and national title.
Ohio State finished the tournament tied for fifth with Minnesota. Over half of the team's points came from Ohio State's two All-Americans--Mendez, and Dylan D'Emilio at 149 lbs. Mendez will be back to lead this team next year, and there's a ton of talent returning. But if the Buckeyes want to be back to competing for team titles, they'll need to have far more than just two wrestlers with this level of success in the national tournament.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: WATCH: Ohio State wrestler Jesse Mendez wins National Championship
Continue reading...
Mendez lost only three matches on the season--two to Penn State's Beau Bartlett, and once to Nebraska's Brock Hardy. The Buckeye avenged all three of those losses in his final two matches at the NCAA Championships. He defeated Bartlett in the semifinals, in an incredible victory that required him to ride Bartlett for the entire 30-second 2OT period.
Mendez then faced Hardy in the final. The Buckeye fell behind early, as an excellent quick move by Hardy earned him a takedown and even two back points. Mendez didn't give up, though, getting a late takedown to end the first period. He carried that momentum to an early second-period takedown, which he turned into four back points and didn't let Hardy escape. He held that lead throughout the third period, conceding a late takedown when it guaranteed the match win and national title.
Ohio State finished the tournament tied for fifth with Minnesota. Over half of the team's points came from Ohio State's two All-Americans--Mendez, and Dylan D'Emilio at 149 lbs. Mendez will be back to lead this team next year, and there's a ton of talent returning. But if the Buckeyes want to be back to competing for team titles, they'll need to have far more than just two wrestlers with this level of success in the national tournament.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: WATCH: Ohio State wrestler Jesse Mendez wins National Championship
Continue reading...
