Jesse Mendez wins rubber match over Beau Bartlett, captures national title for Ohio State wrestling

Jesse Mendez wasn’t the preseason pick to win an NCAA Wrestling title by most this preseason. The Ohio State Buckeye 141 pounder kept his head down, worked hard and came out on top in the end.

Beating a rival like Beau Bartlett of Penn State, the favorite heading into the postseason, was extra sweet. As usual with wrestlers, there was a lot of mutual respect.

Bartlett, who beat Mendez in a dual meet earlier this year, fell victim to the Buckeye at the Big Ten finals, as well as the NCAA finals.

“Bartlett, I have respect for him,” Mendez said. “I know every match will be a scrap. Just trying to find my offense. I knew this match wasn’t going to be settled on the mat. We’re both pretty good on bottom. Just finding that one score.

“He got real close at the end. But I wanted it too bad. Wanted it too bad to give it up. And I almost got taken down, kept wrestling ended up getting the takedown later in the third period.”

Mendez won 4-1 with a late takedown off a wild scramble near the edge. As usual, Mendez wrestled another close match especially against Bartlett.

“I think I was just raised this way. I grew up competitive,” Mendez said. “I have worked so hard at such a young age to lose matches like that. It would be a waste to lose a match in a period like that and not wrestle through it.

“I think I put too much effort into the room. I do every little thing right. Just keep wrestling hard and that’s what I do.”

Losing to Bartlett the first time could’ve affected Mendez negatively. But wrestling loose and with no fear, Mendez made sure he was the man with the gold medal Saturday night.

“Let my gun sling,” Mendez said. “I put too much work into not wrestling to my full capability. I said it in an earlier interview, I fear no man. Regardless if he’s got a Penn State singlet on. Whatever singlet, I’ve got to wrestle the same. So that’s what I’ve been saying.”

Mendez said it came down to the little things and, essentially, he was born for a moment like that.

“I think I was just raised this way,” Mendez said. “I grew up competitive. I have worked so hard at such a young age to lose matches like that. It would be a waste to lose a match in a period like that and not wrestle through it. I think I put too much effort into the room. I do every little thing right. Just keep wrestling hard and that’s what I do.”