Wrestling: Mendez wins second straight national championship, cements Buckeye legacy

Jack Diwik
Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:22:26 +0000
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Ohio State junior Jesse Mendez (141) won his second national title Saturday in Philadelphia, Penn. Credit: Ohio State Athletics

Before this season, only five wrestlers in Ohio State history had captured multiple national championships.

Now, there’s a sixth — and his name is Jesse Mendez.

Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, No. 3 Mendez etched his name in Buckeye history, defending his 2024 National Championship by defeating top-seeded Brock Hardy of Nebraska to claim the 141-pound crown.

Despite narrowly trailing after the first period, Mendez stormed back with a dominant second frame, including a crucial takedown to take control and eventually capture his second straight national championship.

Mendez was the only Buckeye to receive national title honors in the 2024-25 season. He also became the first Ohio State wrestler to win multiple national titles since Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder did so from 2016-18.