Cael Sanderson and Penn State wrestling appear to be getting a significant piece of their lineup back for the 2024-25 season. According to reports from Jon Sauber and Nate Cobler of The Centre Daily Times on Monday, Nittany Lions senior Beau Bartlett has decided to use his extra year of eligibility to return to Happy Valley. Bartlett is coming off third and second-place finishes at the NCAA Championships over the last two seasons.
Beau Bartlett to return to Penn State wrestling for 2025, per report
Beau Bartlett is less than a month off a heartbreaking finish in the NCAA Final, falling to Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez 4-1 for a National Runner-Up finish. It was only Bartlett’s second loss of the year, both of which occurred to Mendez in the postseason. The Tempe, Arizona, native finished the season 24-2 with a 92.31% bonus percentage.
But, it appears that Kansas City will not be where Bartlett’s Penn State wrestling career ends. On Monday afternoon, Jon Sauber and Nate Cobler of The Centre Daily Times reported that Beau Bartlett will return for the 2024-25 season. According to The Centre Daily Times, the news was confirmed by a Penn State spokesperson. Bartlett never took a redshirt season during his Penn State wrestling career, but has a COVID year of eligibility.
Nittany Lion veteran looks to find his way to the top of the podium
Bartlett’s return will provide a boost of veteran leadership for Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lions next season. Penn State is set to lose Bernie Truax and Hodge Trophy winner Aaron Brooks from this year’s lineup. Sanderson awaits decisions from National Champions Carter Starocci and Greg Kerkvliet, who also have COVID years of eligibility remaining.
For Beau Bartlett, 2025 will be the chance to make another run at the national title that has eluded him thus far in his career. The 141-pounder has worked his way up the podium over the last two seasons, finishing third in 2023 and second this season.
“2024 NCAA Runner-Up,” Bartlett wrote on social media shortly after the NCAA Championships. “Successful people are risk-takers. They understand the journey and use their goal as a guide instead of a destination. The journey is controlled, the destination is uncertain. Embrace the journey, accept any destination. I’m not done taking risks.”
*Note: This is a breaking news story, and the information included is subject to change.
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