NCAA Wrestling: Beau Bartlet Cannot Let Go of Olympic Gold Medallist, Will Strive to Go Past the Trials

With the 2024 Olympics only months away, the nation’s top wrestlers are vying to claim their spot in Team USA. Amidst all the cacophony, the Penn State wrestling squad is eying a special showdown with as many as 12 of their wrestlers qualifying for the team trials. The national team trials are slated to take place in Penn State later this month, and the road to Paris will definitely beckon Cael Sanderson’s athletes with open arms. An NCAA Wrestling star isn’t one to back down from a chance to bear the USA’s flag on the big stage.

Finishing the 2023 National Senior as the runner-up, Beau Bartlett secured a place for the national team trials. With the hand of Olympic gold medalist Cael Sanderson on their heads, Penn State wrestlers will be coming in with all guns blazing, and the 23-year-old is determined to make the most of the opportunity at hand.

Penn State star looking to extend his NCAA wrestling career

According to a new article by onwards.com, Beau Bartlett is set to make the opportunity of the additional COVID year eligibility to return for the 2024-25 season. Finishing the 2023-24 season with a 26-2 overall record, the 141-pounder has shown incredible grit during his time with the NLWC so far, and a spot in the national team for the Olympics shouldn’t be off the tables either. With the team trials coming to the Bryce Jordan Center on April 19 and 20, Bartlett can make the most of his current form to maintain his momentum for his dreams of reaching Paris wearing the white, blue and red stripes.

At this year’s NCAA Championships, Bartlett was nominated as the second seed, and he finished the tournament as the runner-up after taking a defeat to Jesse Mendez of Ohio State in the final seconds. However, considering his stellar display of prowess on the mat, Bartlett is well to consider the big prize of representing the USA on the biggest stage of them all. And he certainly will not be along on his quest to attain glory at the French capital.

High hopes for Penn State stars

Cael Sanderson has created a lasting legacy over his time as Penn State’s head wrestling coach. The Nittany Lions coach also mentioned earlier this year that 2024 will be a significant one with the Olympics looming overhead. With multiple Penn State stars qualifying across several weight classes for the team trials, Sanderson may be looking to add yet another major feat to his coaching career and Bartlett wouldn’t want to be the one to crush the coach’s hopes. Upon joining the nation’s arguably best wrestling program, Bartlett had revealed a conversation with Sanderson prompted him to leave behind his Ivy League dreams and instead opt for Penn State.

Along with Bartlett, Greg Kerkvliet, Aaron Brooks, David Taylor, Carter Starocci, Alex Facundo, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Jason Nolf, Levi Haines, and more Penn State stars will also take to the mat with hopes of making it to the national team next Friday.

Read more: Former Wrestling World Champion Raises Thought-Provoking Question Over Penn State HC Cael Sanderson’s Dynasty