Relive Beau Bartlett's Rec Hall match for Penn State Wrestling.

Reliving Beau Bartlett’s final collegiate match inside of Rec Hall for Penn State Wrestling.

The Nittany Lion faithful have seen and experienced many different things from Bartlett’s time in Happy Valley. Because when it comes to wrestling it’s almost impossible for there not to be some “up’s” and “down’s”.

But the most prominent thought that comes to my mind when putting Beau’s career into perspective is simple. It’s “growth”.

Penn State Wrestling Freshman & Sophomore Years

Bartlett started out as a scrappy true freshman thrust into the starting lineup. Furthermore, he was moved up a weight class as eventual two-time NCAA champion Nick Lee occupied the 141 spot. Beau battled hard his first year, however after his second loss early in the 2021 B1G Championships, his season was over.

Then in his sophomore campaign, many Penn State fans could immediately recognize the improvement from Bartlett on the mat. He took down several ranked guys at 149 early in the year, including Arizona State’s No. 5 ranked Kyle Parco. But it was still a bumpy ride for the majority of the season.

Beau continued to grind.

Bartlett’s hard work in the wrestling room paid off in the 2022 B1G’s as he placed seventh. This finish automatically qualified him for his first ever NCAA Championship appearance.

Unfortunately his ride in the 2022 NCAA’s only last three matches.

And from there, everyone that follows Penn State Wrestling knows the rest.

Penn State Wrestling Junior & Senior Years

Bartlett moved down to his native weight of 141. And his improvement from year to year, week to week, and match to match was evident.

He took third in the 2023 B1G Championships and put together an amazing run in the 2023 NCAA’s.

After losing to eventual champion Andrew Alirez in the semifinals, Bartlett plowed his way through Clay Carlson and Lachlan McNeil to finish in third place. Thus earning him his first-ever All-American finish.

Then Beau took another giant step forward last year.

He took a perfect 18-0 record into the 2024 B1G’s with his sights set on winning some hardware. But unfortunately, so did Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez.

Mendez upended Bartlett in the finals of the B1G Championships 4-1.

But the much-improved Nittany Lion wrestler didn’t seem fazed. Beau blasted his way through the bracket in the 2024 NCAA’s where he faced Mendez yet again in the finals.

The match couldn’t have been any closer. However it was Mendez once again who was victorious with a last minute takedown to win the title 4-1.

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Penn State Wrestling Senior+ Year

Penn State Wrestling, Beau Bartlett — Beau Bartlett defeats Sergio Lemley 3-2 in Penn State’s dual meet against Michigan, February 7, 2025.
Credit – Lloyd McCully

As it currently stands, Beau Bartlett is perfect on the year. His 18-0 record includes wins against many top level guys, including the aforementioned Jesse Mendez.

And with the 2025 B1G Championships and the 2025 NCAA Championships still in the future, Beau has plenty of opportunities left to cement his legacy at Penn State.

So with that, let’s relive his final match as a Nittany Lion inside the hallowed halls of Rec Hall.

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Final Match for Penn State Wrestling’s Beau Bartlett

No. 1 Beau Bartlett (PSU) vs. Elijah White (AM)

1st Period

Right from the opening whistle, Bartlett turned a shot into a near cradle. But White spun out of that, giving up the takedown.

Back on their feet, Beau then snagged a low single on White’s right ankle. Bartlett got White on one leg and powered through for his second takedown in the first twenty seconds of the match.

Beau cut White loose following a restart. He next used his lightning-quick reflexes to turn a front headlock into a go-behind and his third takedown in the first minute of action.

Another cut and Bartlett immediately pounced on a low double. He quickly lifted up on White and drove through to get him on the mat once again.

White countered after his fourth escape. He landed a low single on Beau, however, the referee signaled a potentially dangerous and the two setup for another restart.

Following the restart, Bartlett snapped down and hit another low single for his fifth takedown on the day.

At this point it was rinse and repeat.

Beau cut White loose and he immediately worked his way around for the sixth and final takedown of the first period.

2nd Period

Bartlett led White 18-5 going into the second.

And given the choice, it was no surprise that Beau chose neutral. I mean the guy did just land six takedowns in the first three minutes.

The two wrestler’s squared off and White fended off a low shot to his right. Bartlett regrouped and they tied up at the center of the mat.

Beau feigned to his right then dropped down left. He landed the single and changed it off to a double.

Takedown.

Technical fall.

Game over.

The packed crowd in Rec Hall rose to their feet. Beau Bartlett smiled from ear to ear at the center of the mat with his hand raised in the air.

And as it goes for his final regular season? There’s no better ending than that.

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Chris Snyder

Penn State Wrestling Beat Reporter at NittanyCentral

Expertise: College Wrestling, College Football, Lays Chips
Education: Penn State University
Location: State College, PA

Even though he had no prior journalism experience, Chris has now covered Penn State Wrestling and Penn State Football for the past three years, including as the Penn State Wrestling Beat Writer for VictoryBellRings.com, part of the FanSided network.

And it's clear he also likes constant torture as he's been a PSU Basketball fan for way too long.

Several years back, Chris made the seamless transition from PGA Professional to computer programmer and thoroughly enjoys following and writing about all things related to Penn State sports during his spare time.