How Beau Bartlett Became a Penn State Wrestling Star, One Match at a Time
Penn State Wrestling saw a trio of all-time greats finish their collegiate careers in the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships.
In the first installment of this limited series, we put Greg Kerkvliet’s incredible Nittany Lion career into perspective. Well, at least I tried.
Because it’s hard to properly do that when you’re dealing with a five-time All-American. Especially considering the hardships he had to battle through.
But I digress.
So now it’s time to turn the next page and take a look at the amazing career of Beau Bartlett.
Beau Bartlett’s Career for Penn State Wrestling
And I’ll be the first to admit it, Beau was one of my favorite Penn State wrestlers to watch over the past five years.
Which may be a bit of a surprise to a good portion of the Nittany Lion faithful.
Did Bartlett win far too many 6-4 decisions against guys he should have blown the doors off of?
Sure.
But winning every single match with bonus points doesn’t tell the whole story. And neither does winning individual championships.
Rather, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Beau Bartlett grow each year he trained inside the Penn State Wrestling room.
From watching a fresh-faced true freshman battle on the mat up a weight, to his tumbling videos and always entertaining social media, and then with his rise to All-American, Beau Bartlett’s time in Happy Valley was certainly memorable.
Penn State Wrestling – Freshman and Sophomore Years 2020-2021
Freshman Year
I’m combining Beau’s first and second years on the mat for several reasons.
The first reason is because his true freshman campaign was cut short due to the pandemic.
And secondly, as I mentioned before, Bartlett was thrust into the Nittany Lion starting lineup at 149 pounds. Which was not his ideal weight.
But when you had eventual two-time NCAA Champion Nick Lee occupying 141? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
So Beau took one for the team and started his career against guys taller and heavier than him. But hey, I truly believe this helped him in the long run.
Bartlett ultimately finished his first year at Penn State with a respectable record of 8-3. However after a tough showing at the 2021 B1G Championships, he was unable to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA’s.
Sophomore Year
Then in his sophomore season, Beau held a record of 11-6 going into the 2021 B1G’s. And I feel like his performance in that year’s tournament was a true turning point in his career.
BB won his opening match but was then promptly sent to the consolation bracket thanks to Wisconsin’s Austin Gomez.
And after securing a pin in the wrestlebacks, Beau next lost a super close 2-1 decision (TB) to Rutgers’ Mike Van Brill. But this did not deter Bartlett.
In the seventh-place match, Bartlett wrestled one of the best seven minutes of his career against three-time NCAA Qualifier Kanen Storr (Michigan). And his 3-1 decision gave him the seventh place finish, but more importantly, he snagged an automatic bid to the 2022 NCAA’s.
However, his run in that year’s tournament was short-lived.
Beau managed to squeeze by his opening round opponent, but Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso ended his run in the championship side of the bracket. And then in the consolation bracket, Northwestern’s Yahya Thomas ended Bartlett’s tournament completely.
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Penn State Wrestling – Junior Year 2022-2023
Beau blasted his way out of the starting blocks his junior campaign. Thanks in large part to him dropping down to his native weight of 141 pounds.
After bonus-pointing his way to a title at the 2022 Black Knight Invite, Bartlett then dispatched five-time NCAA Qualifier Malyke Hines (Lehigh) and two-time NCAA Qualifier Cleveland Belton (Oregon State) in back-to-back matches.
And his hot streak continued.
In three of his next four matches, Beau faced some stiff competition. But he was ready for the fight.
Bartlett took out eventual three-time All-American Lachlan McNeil (UNC), two-time NCAA Qualifier Zach Redding (ISU), and NCAA Qualifier Cole Mattin (Michigan).
However, his unbeaten streak ended at the hands of Real Woods in Penn State’s dual meet against Iowa. Which, at the time, was not exactly a shocker.
Beau then went on to win eight of his next nine matches that included both the regular season and the 2023 B1G Championships. His third-place finish in the B1Gs locked up his second straight NCAA bid.
First All-American Finish
And just as his gritty effort in the 2022 B1G’s spring boarded Bartlett to greater heights; his performance in the 2023 NCAA Championships is what truly put Beau Bartlett on the national stage as one of the best wrestlers at 141 pounds.
Beau did just enough to punch his ticket to the semifinals as he won decisions in each of his first three matches. But Bartlett was simply up against an irresistible force as North Colorado’s Andrew Alirez took him out with a 6-2 decision. Alirez eventually went on to beat Real Woods in the finals to win the title.
But to Beau’s credit, he once again dusted himself off and went right to work in winning his final two matches of the season. Thus coming in third place and earning his first-ever All-American finish.
And make no mistake about it, these were both huge wins.
One of them was against four-time NCAA Qualifier and two-time All-American Clay Carlson (SDST), and the third-place match was against the aforementioned Lachlan McNeil.
Penn State Wrestling – Senior Year 2023-2024
With how Beau handled himself on the mat his senior year, it was clearly evident that his finish the prior year gave him a new found confidence.
The oft timid approach in matches was gone. Heck, Bartlett started out the year with the following results:
-Major Decision
-Fall
-Decision SV
-Fall
-Fall
-Fall
Additionally, Beau took a perfect 18-0 record into the 2024 B1G’s. This included a 4-1 win in sudden victory against Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez in their regular-season dual meet.
Bartlett extended his winning streak to 20 as he punched his ticket to the B1G finals. Where he would once again face Jesse Mendez.
Trust me. You will see that last sentence a plethora of times before this article is finished.
But this time the roles were reversed. Mendez prevailed 4-1, and Beau’s aim at winning a B1G title was crushed.
And yet again, Bartlett picked himself up by his bootstraps and carried on.
2024 NCAA Championships
In the 2024 NCAA’s, Beau waltzed his way to the finals by pinning two opponents and taking the other two matches by a combined score of 11-2.
Does anyone want to take a guess as to who his opponent was?
Yep, you guessed it!
Jesse Freaking Mendez.
Now, one thing I do know about wrestling is this. When you pit two highly talented guys in a series of matches, it turns into somewhat of a chess match. And Mendez appeared to learn something from his regular-season loss.
Because he yet again took down Bartlett to the tune of 4-1. The late takedown in the third period sealed the deal. Mendez was a champion and Bartlett came so darn close.
Penn State Wrestling – Senior+ Year 2024-2025
Credit – Lloyd McCully
Each and every season it was clear that Beau got better. And his final year for Penn State Wrestling was no different.
Just like the prior season, Beau held a perfect 18-0 record heading into the 2025 B1G’s. And even though Jesse Mendez had now beaten him in three straight matches (includes the 2024 NWCA), Bartlett got some revenge with a win against him in the Nittany Lions’ dual meet against Ohio State.
But this time it wasn’t Mendez who stood in his way for a B1G title. It was Minnesota’s Vance Vombaur.
And as he had done countless times before, Beau regrouped and fought his way to the third-place match. Where Mendez awaited him after falling in the semifinals to Brock Hardy.
This time it appeared that Beau had learned a thing or two from his recent losses to Mendez. Because when the final whistle blew in the third-place match, it was Beau’s hand that was raised for the second time in a row.
2025 NCAA Championships
Well, this was it. The final run for Beau Bartlett in the NCAA’s.
All I can say is this: Beau seemed to always make things interesting.
Case in point was his seventh and final match against Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez in the semifinals of the NCAAs.
With the match knotted at one apiece following a scoreless sudden victory period, they then moved to the tiebreaker.
Bartlett started on top position. And with only eight seconds left in the 30-second period, it looked like he was going to ride out Mendez.
However, after starting with his third straight optional start, Mendez was able to roll free. Which, at best, was questionable. I mean why not start from top and just grab an ankle and stall for eight seconds?
Like I said, it was always “interesting” with Beau.
And as everyone knows, Mendez did ride him out for the final 30 seconds. Which meant Bartlett’s chance at winning an individual title was over.
But his work wasn’t finished.
Beau went on to win his final two matches and notch his third straight All-American finish. It was also his third straight podium finish.
Beau Bartlett’s Lasting Legacy for Penn State Wrestling
Credit – Lloyd McCully
Look, was it a bit disappointing to some Nittany Lion fans that Bartlett didn’t win a national title? Sure, it probably was.
But nothing says more about Beau Bartlett, the person and the wrestler, than the giant smile he flashed after winning his final Penn State Wrestling match to take home third place.
There’s a lot that can be said about Beau. But the only thing I’m qualified to say is that the guy always battled tough, and he was one heck of a wrestler.
And hey, sometimes the right pieces don’t fall into place, and guys like that don’t end up winning a national title.
When Penn State Wrestling fans look back at Beau’s career, are they going to say he was an all-time great?
The simple answer is “no”. However, if Bartlett didn’t wrestle for Penn State or Iowa or Oklahoma State, then it’s very possible his three All-American finishes would make him a program’s all-time great.
And with the dust finally settling on Beau Bartlett’s career, I would venture to guess that he will be a guy that Penn State fans will remember for many, many years down the road.
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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.
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