Penn State wrestling offseason outlook: Is Beau Bartlett ready to ascend to the very top of the 141-pound weight class?
Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson has decisions to make up and down his lineup ahead of the 2024-2025 season. One spot where there is no ambiguity about who the starter is, however, comes at 141 pounds. All-American Beau Bartlett elected to return for what will be his final collegiate season. He has competed at two different weight classes during his time in State College and has wrestled in over 90 matches in a blue and white singlet. He has accomplished plenty. But, when major question still faces him ahead of season No. 5 in Sanderson’s room.
Is Penn State senior Beau Bartlett ready to win a national title?
That is surely a question that has fueled the Tempe, Ariz., native for years. After doing what was best for the program and not necessarily himself by filling the 149-pound starting spot for two seasons and becoming an All-American in 2021-2022, Bartlett had his best two seasons to date down at his natural weight of 141 pounds. In 2022-2023, he finished third at NCAAs. In 2023-2024, he finished second at nationals with his only two losses of the year coming opposite Jesse Mendez of Ohio State.
Bartlett could have moved on after last winter’s season wrapped up. Instead, he elected to return for a final shot at standing on the top podium in the sport at 141 pounds. There are no doubts about his immense talent. But, despite his experience, he will be among the favorites but not the favorite to win it all next winter in Philadelphia. That honor lies with Mendez and Northern Colorado’s Andrew Alirez, who is back in college action after taking an Olympic redshirt last season. Both previous NCAA champs will lead the way in this weight class. Bartlett has shown he can keep it close with Mendez but will need more offense to beat the Buckeyes. And, improving his offense would go a very long way toward trying to knock off Alirez if they met at nationals.
Thus, it’s why the question facing Bartlett is a simple one but must be asked this offseason: We know he can make the All-American stage. But, can he finally win it all? Time will tell.
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