WRESTLING

Junior Jesse Mendez holds up three fingers after winning his third straight state championship. He led the boys team to a fourth place finish at state.

PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION OF ROBERT SCHEER/INDY STAR

THREE YEARS, THREE TITLES

Jesse Mendez wins third individual state title, team finishes fourth

BY KEELEY BERNARD co-sports editor

Junior Jesse Mendez has won his third consecutive state title after beating sophomore Delaney Ruhlman from Bloomington High School South in the final of the IHSAA tournament.

Mendez’s state win caps off a historic season for the wrestling team. The team as a whole achieved a fourth place finish at state. This is just another accomplishment achieved this season along with second at semi state, a regional win that made it three regional wins in three years and a sectional win that made it 19 sectional wins in a row.

Mendez is happy to have made his mark on the team’s history.

“It means a lot knowing that I have put my stamp on this team’s history. I have joined a group of some of the great alumni of Crown Point so that is really cool to see,” Mendez said.

Coach Brandon Lorek is proud to have been a part of this winning run.

“I am proud to be a part of the rich history CPHS Wrestling has,” Lorek said. “Winning our 19th consecutive IHSAA sectional title is special, because I’ve coached a lot of CPHS wrestlers and worked with a lot of great coaches in the process. Winning our fourth regional title in five years is also a huge accomplishment for the program.”

Although the team had many impressive achievements during this season, some goals were not reached this season.

“I felt like we had a good season,” Mendez said. “We didn’t meet our end goal of team state champions but that only makes us hungrier to come back even stronger next year.”

Lorek, despite some goals not being achieved, is proud of the team.

“We didn’t reach our team goal at the IHSAA State Finals, but fourth in the state in single class wrestling is a really big deal. I believe it’s something for our school and team to be proud of,” Lorek said.

Freshman wrestler Evan Cruz is also proud to be a part of the team’s history.

“It is a special feeling being a part of Crown Point wrestling. Being a part of the team’s history is definitely something to be proud of,” Cruz said.

Although the season was successful, there were moments when it looked like the team was not going be able to finish the

season due to COVID-19 and team members quarantining. Despite this, the team was able to not only finish the season, but win during the season too.

“It just shows that no matter the circumstances, this team is gonna persevere and fight till the very end,” Mendez said.

Cruz also believes that the team’s display during COVID-19 shows resiliance.

“Our team’s ability to win during COVID-19 shows a lot about us,” Cruz said. “It shows that we do not let whatever adversity that comes our way affect us.”

COVID-19 made this season different from previous seasons, but according to Lorek, the team was able to adapt and come together.

“The team did a great job coming together during these unprecedented times,” Lorek said. “I watched the team work through situations and obstacles I never imagined as a coach, and all the wrestlers were supportive and optimistic about what we can do and how we can accomplish our goals.”

One goal that the team accomplished that Lorek had set was to finish the season, which was in doubt due to COVID-19.

“The goal was for the team to start and finish the season, and we did that successfully,” Lorek said.

Lorek acknowledges that despite the

fact that his goals for the season were fulfilled, other people on the team may not have managed to complete their goals. ‘‘ This season definitely has been a weird one. We faced many ups and downs, but in the end we came together as a team and pushed each other everyday. My favorite moment from this season had to have been going to the state tournament with my teammates, and my best moment was punching my ticket to the state tournament.

freshman Evan Cruz

“Not all of our wrestlers had the season they wanted, but we had a season. I believe our season was a success,” Lorek said.

Cruz agrees that this season was a successful one, but he also pointed out the season’s oddness.

“This season definitely has been a weird one,” Cruz said. “We faced many ups and downs, but in the end we came together as a team and pushed each other everyday. My favorite moment from this season had to have been going to the state tournament with my teammates, and my best moment was punching my ticket to the state tournament.”

Although this season was a success, Cruz has already begun setting up goals for next season.

“My goals for next season remain the same as last year. To get better everyday in order to help myself sit at the top of the podium,” Cruz said.

Mendez has also set his goals for next season.

“My goals for next season are to cap off my high school career with all pins and a fourth state title as well as a team state title,” Mendez said.

Lorek’s goals for next season are to break some more school records throughout next season.

“The goal for next year is to send 14 wrestlers to the IHSAA state finals, and become nationally ranked,” Lorek said. “I believe you have to aim through your goals, which is why ours are so high.”

MENDEZ’S ROAD TO VICTORY

Luke Goodwin(27-6) Jarret Forrester(26-5) Luke Goodwin

Delaney Ruhlman(30-3)

Bradley Conrad(25-6)

Brody Arthur(41-2) Jared Brown(19-5) Jace Alexander(26-3) Gavinn Alstott(25-4) Brody Arthur

Delaney Ruhlman

Jace Alexander

Jesse Mendez(34-0)

Gavin Garcia(11-7) Jesse Mendez Logan Hooley(31-5)

Hudson Harreld32-5) Hudson Harreld

Blake Boarman(31-2) Kyle Carter(21-6) Seth Lawson(31-5) Blake Boarman

Julius Gerencser Delaney Ruhlman

Jace Alexander

Jesse Mendez

Blake Boarman Delaney Ruhlman