09/22/2026
Some wrestling careers begin with national rankings, powerhouse high schools, and expectations that a wrestler will eventually compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Chris Mecate’s story was different.
His path was built through competition, setbacks, opportunity, and a willingness to prove himself every time he stepped on the mat.
Long before Mecate became a two-time NCAA Division I All-American, four-time NCAA qualifier, Division I coach, junior college coach, and professional MMA fighter, he was a California youth wrestler beginning to make a name for himself.
Mecate was a California Triple Crown winner as a youth wrestler, but his development took another turn when he moved from La Habra, California to Redlands, California area during junior high school years.
That move eventually led him to Redlands East Valley High School, where Mecate began building a career that would make him the most accomplished wrestlers in school history.
Redlands East Valley was not traditionally viewed as one of California’s elite wrestling powers. It was not a program that carried the same national reputation as some of the state’s established wrestling dynasties.
Mecate didn’t seem concerned.
He built his own reputation.
Read the full article by Aaron La Farge on simplemanwrestling.com. Link in bio.
https://simplemanwrestling.com/2026/09/22/chris-mecate-the-road-less-traveled-juco-tough/
