Village Honors Pair Of State Champion Wrestlers

MOKENA, IL — Two high school wrestlers were recognized during Monday's Mokena Village Board of Trustees meeting for their individual contributions that led to a state championship.

Colin Kelly, a sophomore at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, and Seth Mendoza, a freshman at Mount Carmel, each won individual state titles in their weight classes en route to Mount Carmel's 2021-22 IHSA team state championship, according to the proclamations presented to both Kelly and Mendoza.

Kelly placed first in the state's Class 3A 160-pound weight class, and Mendoza placed first in the state's Class 3A 106-pound weight class. Both Mount Carmel students are residents of Mokena.

Kelly began wrestling when he was just 4 years old, according to the proclamation. In addition to the state title, he has won Tulsa National Championship and is a three-time winner of the Youth State Tournament Championship. Kelly finished his season at Mount Carmel with a record of 40-4.

Mendoza began wrestling when he was 7 years old, according to the proclamation. He is a five-time Tulsa National Champion, four-time Reno Worlds Champion, four-time Tulsa Kickoff Champion, two-time Super 32 Champion, three-time Trinity Award Winner and 16U Fargo National Champion. He finished his season with a record of 43-2 with 21 pins.

"I'm really thankful for this award," Kelly said. "It took a lot of hard work to get to where I am, to get this state title. But I'm really proud of what I did."

Mendoza expressed thanks to his family, fellow wrestlers and coaches.

"This is amazing," he said. "I never really thought that I'd be recognized like this, so I just want to say 'thank you.'"