Mondragon has his sights set on Bishop Ireton wins record

Elliot Mondragon has a fearsome name, an undefeated record and a lofty goal: to become the all-time wins leader for Bishop Ireton wrestling.

First the name. It's Spanish, and actually prounced "MOAN-DRAH-GOAN," but a lot of the people who read it in print or announce it at tournaments don't know that.

"Usually people just call me 'Mon-dragon,' and it sounds pretty cool," he said.

Mondragon is a senior wrestling at 103 pounds - a weight often reserved for the younger, less physically mature set.

Mondragon stands 5-foot-4 and said that staying at 103 wasn't too tough his freshman and sophomore year. It got harder as a junior, and when he showed up for school this fall weighing about 115, he knew he was in for some serious sacrifice if he wanted to get down to 103.

"Before this season he toyed with the idea of going to 112," Bishop Ireton Coach Don Dight said. "But he knew his best chance to accomplish the goals he set for himself would be at the lower weight."

Mondragon cut almost all liquid calories from his diet and worked out like a fiend. The reward has been dominance at 103 - a 26-0 record that includes a pin of Benedictine standout Dallas Wood in 1:27 in the championship of the Virginia Catholic Schools State Tournament last weekend.

Family has also been a key to Mondragon's success. His older brother wrestled, his mother is at every match and his father is the team statistician.

One stat the whole family is likely keeping an eye on is Mondragon's career record of 130-27.

With seven meets and tournaments left, he has an outside shot at breaking the school record of 155 wins, set by Prep All-American Brendan Pauls in 2003.

"I already know there's been a lot of people that have gone through the program and done really well," Mondragon said. "For my name to be up there with all those people would be such an honor."

It's a name area wrestling fans won't soon forget, even if they don't know how to pronounce it correctly.