Mokena's Mendoza Captures Second State Wrestling Title For Mt. Carmel

MOKENA, IL — Seth Mendoza already knew what it felt like to capture a state wrestling title even before the Mokena native and Mount Carmel sophomore entered last weekend’s Class 3A championship meet in Champaign.

So rather than just setting his sights on a second straight crown, Mendoza added the challenge of finishing off a two-peat in dominating fashion. Mendoza, the state’s top-ranked 113-pound wrestler, set out to win each of his state meet matches by either pinfall or a technical fall, in which a wrestler builds at least a 15-point cushion over his opponent.

Mendoza not only embraced the challenge but conquered it with a championship-level performance in which he collected his second straight state title.

Mendoza pushed his Mt. Carmel career record to 42-2 with his run through the 113-pound bracket and became the first wrestler in IHSA history to clinch a state championship with a technical fall victory.

The Mount Carmel team captain is ranked No. 6 in his weight class in the country and will attempt to build on his individual title last weekend when the Caravan will push for their second straight state championship this weekend in Bloomington.

Mendoza has also made his mark off the wrestling mat. An aspiring pilot, Mendoza can now fly solo in a Cessna 172 and is working towards his private pilot's license and dreams of working on day as a professional pilot. Mendoza also has his own woodworking business “Unleased by Seth”, which specializes in making specialty wooden flags of all types.