Joey Melendez

Weight:
133
Class:
Redshirt Junior
Hometown:
Norridge, Ill.
High School:
Montini Catholic

2022-23: Competed at 133 pounds • Won eight matches throughout the year • Made season debut at the Southeast Open (11/5) • Went 4-0 at the Southeast Open to collect the 133 pound title • Defeated Vincente Perez of Central Michigan at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals in New Orleans (12/19) • Added a major decision at the F&M Open (1/6) • Competed for the Tar Heels at the Appalachian State Open (1/28)

2021-22: Did not compete • Named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll

2020-21: Did not compete

2019-20: Finished the season with an 11-9 record, primarily at 125 pounds • Went 0-2 at ACC Championships • Posted a 5-6 dual meet record • Defeated Virginia Tech’s No. 11 Joey Prata to help Carolina to an upset win over No. 3 VT in Blacksburg • Started and won his dual meet at 133 pounds against Princeton • Finished fifth at the Appalachian State Open • All-ACC Academic Team

2018-19: Was 20-5 in his first season as a Tar Heel • Won the Pembroke Classic and Franklin and Marshall Open • Took second at the National Collegiate Open after falling to NC State’s Jakob Camacho in the first-place bout • Won four matches at the Midlands Championships, including a pin of Ohio State’s Malik Heinselman, before medically forfeiting out of the tournament

Personal/Prep: Attended Montini Catholic High School in Lombard, Illinois • Went 122-12 in his high-school career, including a 43-4 record in his senior year • Was a two-time state champion • 2017 runner-up at 2017 Junior Nationals in Fargo.