Cal Poly's Chad Mendes (Photo by John Sachs --www.tech-fall.com)

Chad Mendes has started the season 18-0 and is ranked number one in the nation by D1CW and most publications.  This first time in twenty-eight years a Cal Poly wrestler has been ranked number one.  Pretty good for a guy who just moved up two weight classes this season.  Mendes' a 2006 NCAA All-American is looking to get back on the podium in 2008 as a National Champion.  Last week D1CW got to talk with the Mustangs 141 lbers.....

D1CW:  You’ve had a great start to the season, 18-0 with two tournament wins.  Talk about it so far…..

Chad Mendes: So far everything has gone well.  I’m 18-0, feeling good and injury free.  I mean I’ve had some of the normal bumps and bruises that come along with wrestling, but nothing major.  Right now I’m in the best shape of my life.  Also, this season our coaching staff has really brought the intensity level up. 

D1CW: This year you’ve jumped two weight classes (125 to 141).  Obviously you’ve been successful, but what have been some differences you’ve noticed at 141?

CM: I feel much bigger and stronger.  That is necessary because my style is based on my strength.  In past years, cutting to 125 really cut into my strength and I didn’t do as well I as could have.  I’m only cutting about 8 pounds or so from my natural weight, so that isn’t a big deal.  As far as my opponents go, I haven’t run into anyone yet who I feel is stronger than me.  The other guys are bigger and stronger, but so am I.

D1CW: This year you have a new assistant coach Sammie Henson.  How has he helped you and the other lightweights?

CM: One thing he has brought to me is a new confidence in every aspect of my wrestling.  I’m much more comfortable on my feet.  Also, my riding has been great.  Really I’ve never tried to ride people much in the past.  The whole team is able to ride now.  He instilled in us a “Can hold anyone down” mentality.  Then the stuff he has had us do in the weight room really helps our explosiveness. 

D1CW: Why did you not compete last season?

CM: Well midway thru the season I hyper-extended my elbow.  Also I was having problems with my weight.  I walk around at 150lbs so getting down to 125 really was taking its toll on me.  It began to affect me mentally and I didn’t feel like wrestling was fun anymore.

D1CW: What are your goals for the remainder of the season?

CM: Obviously the ultimate goal is the national championship.  I also want to win a PAC-10 title.  I’d like to stay undefeated, but that isn’t the end of the world.  I am confident that if I were to lose before NCAA’s Sammie would able to come up with a game plan for me to beat the guy.  He’s great at scouting opponents also. 

D1CW: Do you think that the rest of the country overlooks the PAC-10 wrestlers?CM: I think so sometimes.  It seems like now most of the guys out here are getting recognized.  In the past, that was the case.  I definitely believe that our guys, as a whole, don’t get respect like wrestlers on the East Coast or Midwest. 

D1CW: Describe yourself as a wrestler or your style…..

CM: I would say exciting.  Explosive is another word I’d use.  My speed and strength are my two main things.  I would almost use slick as another word, but not quite.

D1CW: Coming out of high school, why did you choose to wrestle at Cal Poly?

CM: At the time, I wanted to be close to home and Cal Poly is only about 45 minutes to an hour away.  That has made it easy for my family to visit.  Coach John Azevedo has a great legacy around here among the high schools.  He coached his teams to a bunch of state titles before he came to Cal Poly.  At the time I was recruited there were some excellent smaller guys in the room, Darrell Vasquez, Steve Esparza, and Vic Moreno.  Also, being a West Coast guy I wanted to stay around here.  When everything was added together, it seemed a “No-Duh” decision to come here.

D1CW: When and why did you start wrestling?

CM: I started when I was five.  I really was a crazy little kid.  Really hyper!! My parent figured that I needed to get into a sport to harness my energy.  My dad was a wrestler in high school, so he got me wrestling.  I like it and was like a natural.

D1CW: Is there anything else you would like the wrestling world to know?

CM: I come from a great family.  My mom, dad, brothers and sisters have all been very supportive of me.  I would like them to know that I appreciate and love them.