Joey Melendez couldn’t do anything about last week.
Except to prevent it from happening again, that is.
Given a do-over, Melendez didn’t waste the opportunity, and now he’s one win away from being a two-time state champion.
The Montini junior had a big day Friday at the IHSA wrestling state tournament at State Farm Center, beating a returning state champ in the afternoon quarterfinals and then avenging a sectional loss in the evening semifinals to reach the Class 3A 113-pound title bout.
"At sectional, I was up 11-3, got thrown to my back, nothing you can do about it," said Melendez (44-4), who won the 3A 106 title last season. "I got stuck. All I could do is prepare for this week. At least I got another chance to prove I’m the best."
The proof came in the form of a 4-3 quarterfinal win over Marian Catholic’s Travis Ford-Melton, last year’s 2A champ at 106. Then came a pin at 5:57 over St. Rita’s Tommy Russell, who stunned Melendez in the sectional semifinals.
"It was a little in my mind," Melendez said of last week’s loss. "But it was more motivation."
Glenbard North 138-pounder Austin Gomez (45-1) had another kind of motivation. He’s trying to win the 21st and final state title during the 30-year run of retiring coach Mark Hahn.
"We have a special tradition," said Gomez, who is going for his third title. "Knowing it’s coach Hahn’s last year makes it that much more special. This shows what kind of legacy he’s produced."
Austin O’Connor has an impressive legacy of his own. After two pins Friday, the St. Rita senior and North Carolina recruit is one win away from becoming the 15th four-time champ in Illinois history.
With Saturday’s championship round starting at 152 pounds, O’Connor (45-0) can take care of business right away.
"I’d definitely have liked to have the second, third match so I’d get a little time to watch, get warm," O’Connor said. "But I’m happier it’s the first match rather than last."
mclark@tribpub.com
Twitter @mikeclarkpreps
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