Jesse Mendez Defends NCAA Championship, Ohio State's Sixth Two-Time Winner

Jesse Mendez of Ohio State successfully defended his NCAA Championship title at 141 lbs., defeating top-seeded Brock Hardy of Nebraska with a score of 12-9. The match was notable for Mendez's comeback from an early 5-0 deficit, showcasing his impressive skill and determination. En route to the final, Mendez avenged his earlier season losses by defeating second-seeded Beau Bartlett from Penn State in a dramatic overtime semifinal match. With this victory, Mendez became the sixth wrestler in Ohio State history to win multiple NCAA titles, following in the footsteps of legends like Kyle Snyder. The Buckeyes finished the tournament tied for fifth place, largely due to Mendez's performance, and are looking to build on this success for the next season. Mendez's season record concluded at an impressive 30-3.