Mendes at the top of his class

For being the No. 1 wrestler in the country in his weight class, 141 pounds, Chad Mendes sure hasn’t let it go to his head. The Cal Poly senior from Hanford is modest about his accomplishments but proud he earned the top spot.

“My family is really supportive of everything I do. My mom and dad keep me updated on the rankings and letting me know what’s up,” Mendes said.

It has been 28 years since a Cal Poly wrestler earned the national No. 1 slot, when Scott Heaton and Rick Worel topped the polls for most of 1979-80. Mendes has fought his way to the top this season, boasting a 19-0 record.

“It’s exciting, and it’s cool that it’s all over the Internet, but it’s just rankings and I could lose and not place at all,” Mendes said. “It’s important not to get too caught up with rankings, but that I do well for myself.”

Mendes started wrestling at the age of 5, when his dad started to teach him the sport. Mendes said he was a hyperactive child, and wrestling was a way to curb his energy and put it toward good use.

“My dad was a wrestler, and he thought that I would be good at it,” he said.

By the time he reached high school, Mendes had won a few state titles and he knew that wrestling would always be a part of his life.

“Wrestling is a feeling you can’t describe unless you’ve done it, being able to dominate and not only use your physical strengths but mental as well. It’s man vs. man,” Mendes says.

The Mustangs coaching staff was the reason Mendes chose to compete at Cal Poly. One of the coaches who has greatly impacted Mendes’ wrestling career is assistant coach Sammie Henson, who recently helped train ultimate fighter Chuck Liddell for a UFC fight, which Liddell won.

“He is an unbelievable coach. He knows how to inspire and push you toward your goals without being overbearing,” Mendes said of Henson. “He is smart, trains hard and knows how to read us.”

Henson believes that Mendes has a great future in store.

“For Chad, it is the confidence to know he deserves it,” Henson said. “He understands who he is, and knows how to filter out his opponents’ strengths and weaknesses. Some would be nervous about having the top spot, but Chad seems to accept it, and that’s a positive reflection on him.”

Mendes starts his day at 5:30 a.m. by waking up and getting to the gym by 6:30. He practices for at least an hour-and-a-half, followed by class. By 2 p.m., Mendes is back in the gym practicing more, with live fights and rehearsing moves for the next two hours. Next is class for the evening and back home, where he does homework, eats dinner and goes to bed ready to start again the next morning.

“Sam puts together our lift cycles, which focus on different muscle groups, as well as conditioning and strength. At this point in the season, it’s important to rebuild muscles with heavy lifting and low reps,” Mendes said.

Mendes believes his team has really come together this season, most notably when it defeated rival Arizona State.

“We have come together as a whole, which is where our team has lacked in the past, but I really feel like we are a big family and we get along,” Mendes said.

Mendes, who graduates this June, isn’t positive where he will end up. He wants to continue wrestling, and may pursue training in mixed martial arts (MMA) or cage fighting.

“I have had offers to go to gyms in Arizona and in Sacramento, but there is talk of the coaches that train Liddell starting their own program here on the Central Coast,” Mendes said. “If that happens I will definitely stay here.”

Were this to happen, Mendes will be paid to be a fighter. The organization that lands him will pay for his costs of living and other expenses, and if he wins, he will get a portion of the prize money.

“We are very excited for Chad if this is the avenue he chooses to take,” Henson said. “He’s chiseled and has a great look about him. I know he will sell a lot of tickets.”

When Mendes isn’t concentrating on training or competitions, he really enjoys spending time with his family, his biggest source of inspiration.

They go on fishing trips and hunting expeditions.

“I have a huge family, eight siblings and lots of aunts and uncles. They are all really supportive and are behind me with what I’m doing,” Mendes said.

To the future wrestlers of Cal Poly, Mendes advises to set a goal and see it through.

“Have your coach and family put a plan together and do it step-by-step. Just keep your eye on the goal and try not to let distractions like partying get to you,” he said. “Stay focused.”