2014: Mendez qualified for his first trip to the NAIA Cross Country National Championships with his second place finish at the KCAC Championships. Mendez ran a time of 25:54.8. At the Romp on the Ridge hosted by Hutchinson Community College he ran a time of 27:10. Mendez finished the ESU Invitational with a time of 26:56. He had a time of 26:32 at the Haskell Indian Nations Invitational. Mendez ran a time of 25:59 at the Bethel Invitational. He finished with a time of 25:53, his season’s best, at the Mid States Classic hosted by Southwestern College. Mendez had a time of 26:31.4 at the NAIA National Championships.
2013: At the Viking Invitational hosted by Grand View University, Mendez finished 19th with a time of 27:25. He placed second at the Tabor Cross Country Meet with a time of 26:55.41. Mendez ran a time of 26:43.11 to finish seventh at the Haskell Indian Nations University Invite. He won the individual title and helped the Braves to the team title at the Bo Boucek Invitational with a time of 28:14. Mendez earned All-KCAC honors at the KCAC Cross Country Championships with a 14th place finish, running a time of 26:54.75.
2012: Mendez led OU at the CC Invitational hosted by Colorado College with a time of 28:31 to finish 21st. He placed 19th at the Haskell Indian Nations University Invitational with a time of 26:37.90.
2011: In his first collegiate race, Mendez finished third at the OU Road Race with a time of 16:14. He finished 106th at the Roy Griak Cross Country Invitational with a time of 27:53.9. Mendez placed 18th with a time of 27:36.05 at the Haskell Indian Nations University Invite. He ran a time of 28:16.00 to finish fifth at the OU Invitational. Mendez finished 21st with a time of 28:27.42 at the KCAC Cross Country Championships.
Colorado Mountain College: Mendez attended CMC for one year.
High School: Mendez earned two letters in track and one in both cross country and basketball. He was a state participant his senior year of high school.
Personal: Son of Monica Mendizabal ... born May 23, 1992 ... exercise science major. Mendez’s favorite book is “Dear John” by Nicholas Sparks and he enjoys hanging out with family and friends. He is the first person in his family to attend college and Mendez looks up to his mom for always being there for him.
