Penn State’s Beau Bartlett ‘comfortable, on right path’ for Nittany Lions on the wrestling mat

Like everything else in the world, COVID-19 has changed how things operate for college wrestlers.

Take Penn State wrestling’s Beau Bartlett, for example.

The true freshman — even though he is in his second year of collegiate wrestling — still has another four or five years left to compete for Penn State after this season. This is because the NCAA allowed last season not to count toward athletes’ eligibility, so it made no sense for anyone to really redshirt.

Typically, a wrestler this far into their second year like Bartlett would have somewhere between 35-45 matches. For Bartlett, he’ll only be in match No. 22 when the Nittany Lions host Rutgers on Sunday at 5 p.m. inside Rec Hall.

“It’s difficult. You become more comfortable by getting these matches,” Bartlett said during media day on Tuesday. “Normally, people are already getting this many matches in a redshirt year like that 15 to 20 mark. It takes time, but I feel like it’s here now. I’ve got it under my belt. I’m ready to start firing.”

Penn State fans are probably excited to hear that. There was plenty of optimism among the fan base when the four-time National Prep champion made his commitment to the Nittany Lions.

However, Bartlett has only shown flashes of his potential. In his 21 college matches, he’s 16-5, but has only scored bonus points in five matches — three pins and two major decisions.

Fans shouldn’t be too worried though.

“I don’t like to compare myself to others, but look at any guys that are multiple national champions,” Bartlett explained, “look at how they wrestled their first 25 matches in college. It was the exact same as mine. Everything is going to plan. Across the board, guys that were pinning machines and teching guys in the national finals, these guys (were getting) like decisions against all these guys ranked, unranked (in) their first year, their first couple matches.

“Then, by the time they finish (their careers), they’re multiple time national champions, Hodge Trophy winners, so I understand the process. I’m just gonna keep doing what I’m doing and improving.”

As the Tempe, Ariz., native continues to follow the plan at 149 pounds, he is very comfortable with his weight. Since he took the mat last season for Penn State, wrestling fans questioned whether he was too little for the weight class.

Earlier this week, Bartlett set the record straight. He said he’s weighing in the “low (1)50’s.” He said he really only needs “one workout” to get down to his qualifying weight to wrestle.

On Sunday, Bartlett will get another test in his early collegiate career, when he takes on the Scarlet Knights’ No. 18 Michael Van Brill. Van Brill is a two-time NCAA qualifier and two-time Big Ten placewinner — third in last season’s Big Ten Championships.

It will be the seventh time this season that Bartlett has taken on a ranked wrestler. However, over the remaining part of the season, he’ll have another four bouts with ranked wrestlers, which is expected competing in the Big Ten.

It’s something that Bartlett is looking forward to.

“These duals against big teams, it’s really exciting. I love this energy,” Bartlett said. “I used to say the same thing in middle school, high school, pretty much every age division, I was like, ‘Man, I live for these big matches, I love them.’ Since coming to college, I’ve tried to create a lot more energy and bring that same energy to each match. When it is time to go, I bring it no matter what, so I’m excited.”

No. 16 Rutgers (12-1, 2-1 Big Ten) at No. 1 Penn State (10-0, 2-0)

When: 5 p.m., Sunday

Where: Rec Hall

Radio: WRSC (93.3 FM) or WQWK (103.7 FM)

Online: Radio, Lionvision at GoPSUsports.com; TV, ESPNU

Twitter: @byncobler, @pennstatewrest