Mendoza refuses to say goodbye at state wrestling

Brandon Mendoza took a less than scientific physical inventory after his long day ended – painful shoulder, swollen thumb, aching neck.

“Tired and sore,” he assessed. “I’ll be fine.”

Few if any at the 44th CIF State Wrestling Championship slept better than Mendoza, the Buhach Colony senior who refused to let his prep career end Friday.

Mendoza (113) recovered from a major error at this event – a loss in the opener – and won four in a row in consolation.

“I surprised myself. It (losing the first match) almost destroyed my confidence and ruined my day,” he said.

Mendoza’s comeback validated his finals appearance at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters at Stockton. Along the way last week, he earned a 1-0 decision over Oakdale’s Jake Abeyta.

A week later, Abeyta again stood in Mendoza’s way. This time, the BC star parlayed takedowns in the second and third round to win 4-2. It was Mendoza’s third straight win over Abeyta since his loss at the Riddle Invitational in Oakdale.

“He (Abeyta) is a very talented wrestler. I just rode him out in the third round to win last week,” Mendoza said. “I knew I had to take him down.”

Mendoza also ditched his black-and-gold finals singlet after the loss. He reverted to the more decorated Thunderbolt design, the one he’s worn all season.

“It (the finals singlet) was too tight and constricting,” he said. “I guess we’re superstitious, but it worked.”

Buhach Colony coach Eric Osmer sees more than superstition in Mendoza’s recent form.

“He’s a mentally and physically tough kid, strong-willed and confident,” Osmer said. “Brandon likes the challenge of facing the best. He wants to be one of them.”

To earn a medal for placing in the top eight, Mendoza must win in Saturday morning’s thankless “blood round.” Also in contention are Delhi junior heavyweight Jesse Flores and Dos Palos senior Adrian Marrufo (126).

Marrufo matched Mendoza’s four straight wins in consolation after he was pinned in the second round by eventual semifinalist Donovin Guerrero of De La Salle. The three-time state qualifier faces Oakdale freshman Ricky Torres on Saturday.

Flores, the first Delhi wrestler to reach state, showed his own resilience after he was pinned by returning champion Seth Nevills of Clovis. Two victories in consolation extended his season.

Golden Valley senior Jacob Pavey (220) opened with a tough 8-7 loss to Buchanan’s Zakary Levatino. Two wins in consolation preceded a closing setback.

The Livingston tandem, junior Rajanvir Chahal (106) and senior Jose Sanchez (120), were eliminated without a win. So was Dos Palos junior Chance Benadum (145). Dos Palos junior Chance Benadum (145) went 1-2.

This story was originally published March 4, 2016 at 11:13 PM with the headline "Mendoza refuses to say goodbye at state wrestling."