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Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez - Olympian?
Drew Taylor added to this discussion on April 1, 2024
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Discuss.
He’s probably a longshot, but this is not a great weight for the Americans. In fact, no one has qualified the weight for the Olympics heading into this weekend’s last chance qualifier.
Top guys are Nick Lee, Yianni D., and Joey McKenna. Austin Gomez and Sebastian Rivera are competing for other countries.
Beau Bartlett, who Mendez just beat for the NCAA crown, is ranked fifth.
Mendez is a very good freestyler and has moment entering the trials. Don’t rule him out.
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Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez - Olympian?
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on April 1, 2024
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Those first three are some heavy hitters!
But I don't put anything past the OHST coaching staff. They'll game plan. They will have him ready.
Go Buckeyes!
Q? - For which country will Gomez and Ramirez wrestle?
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Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez - Olympian?
Jim Kessen added to this discussion on April 1, 2024
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Quote from Mark Niemann's post:
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"Those first three are some heavy hitters!
But I don't put anything past the OHST coaching staff. They'll game plan. They will have him ready.
Go Buckeyes!
Q? - For which country will Gomez and Ramirez wrestle?"
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Gomez is wrestling for Mexico.
I think Rivera is wrestling for Puerto Rico.
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Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez - Olympian?
Drew Taylor added to this discussion on April 1, 2024
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Add Andrew Allirez to the contenders list. The 2023 NCAA champ at 141 redshirted this year to focus on the trials. He’s one of the best American wrestlers no one talks about.
My question on Mendez is if he can hold his ground and prevent pushouts.
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Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez - Olympian?
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on April 1, 2024
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He is absolutely in the mix at this weight. He's nice size for 65kg and holds position and handfights exceedingly well.
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Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez - Olympian?
Pat Costilow added to this discussion on April 1, 2024
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Retherford is coming down to 65, also. He'll be another of the top contenders here.
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Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez - Olympian?
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on April 1, 2024
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Quote from Pat Costilow's post:
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"Retherford is coming down to 65, also. He'll be another of the top contenders here."
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Too old? Wishful thinking.
Austin Gomez is also at this wt.
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Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez - Olympian?
Jack Muni added to this discussion on April 1, 2024
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Quote from Drew Taylor's post:
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"Add Andrew Allirez to the contenders list. The 2023 NCAA champ at 141 redshirted this year to focus on the trials. He’s one of the best American wrestlers no one talks about.
My question on Mendez is if he can hold his ground and prevent pushouts."
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Yea, I watched his U20 finals match vs Iran and no one got a TD, it was all push outs and a couple of on-the-clock points. Jesse almost got 2 TDs but the Iranian countered.
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Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez - Olympian?
Pat Costilow added to this discussion on April 2, 2024
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Quote from Hank Kornblut's post:
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"
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Quote from Pat Costilow's post:
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"Retherford is coming down to 65, also. He'll be another of the top contenders here."
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Too old? Wishful thinking.
Austin Gomez is also at this wt."
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Not too old, but might be too big. He's been a different animal at 70kg than he ever was at 65, he might struggle with the other top contenders, but I think Jesse might struggle with his physicality. Gomez reps Mexico, right?
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Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez - Olympian?
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on April 2, 2024
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Quote from Pat Costilow's post:
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"...Gomez reps Mexico, right?"
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That's what Jim Kessen says.
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Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez - Olympian?
Jared Ball added to this discussion on April 6, 2024
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I kind of feel like Bartlett, Yanni, and other counter wrestlers are the style that gives Jesse difficulty. He has a higher attack rate typical which plays into a counter wrestlers wheelhouse. He attacked less on Bartlett at BIGs and NCAAs. I think he gains an advantage over some of the older guys in that his motor will where down some of these guys. I see scenarios where he gets down on guys but claws back towards the end of matches
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Discussion Topic: Jesse Mendez - Olympian?
Brian Mathews added to this discussion on April 9, 2024
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With the field set, looks like seeds will be something along these lines:
1) Nick Lee
2) Yianni Diakomihalis
3) Andrew Alirez
4) Beau Bartlett
5) Joey McKenna
6) Kyler Larkin
7) James Green
8) Jesse Mendez
9) Austin DeSanto
10) Alec Pantaleo
11) Nahshon Garrett
12) Seth Gross
13) Matthew Kolodzik
14) Caleb Henson (not sure he'll wrestle)
Might be our least productive weight nationally in recent history, but man... any wins in this bracket for Jesse will be a positive.
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