Penn State wrestling star Beau Bartlett wins more often than he loses but there’s one guy who kept him from being both a Big Ten champ and national champ last season.
That guy is Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez.
Make it another round for Penn State 141-pounder against Mendez Friday night in Columbus.
This will technically be the fifth match between the two in their collegiate careers but officially it will be the fourth. Bartlett and Mendez also wrestled in the NWCA All-Star Classic this season, which only counts as an exhibition match. Mendez defeated Bartlett in the all-star match 4-1.
The rematch of last year’s NCAA finals, where Mendez also won by a 4-1 score, will be held at Ohio State for the first time.
Bartlett’s only win against Mendez came in last year’s dual meet at Penn State— again 4-1– in sudden victory.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“I think I’m just adjusting my mindset, trying to improve every week,” Bartlett told media Tuesday. “I tried to come out really hot at the beginning of the year in the all-star match. I think I put extra pressure on myself. I’m just thinking to enjoy the match.”
What’s the key to a win this time around? Not much different than any other match, according to Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson.
“He’s just gotta score more points,” Sanderson said. “Obviously Mendez is really good. You have two of the best guys in the country. He just has to do what he does, which is the same as everybody, to wrestle the match in your positions and score points when you have opportunities, and create those opportunities with your hustle and your effort.
“Beau has been looking great. He’s a competitor. It should be a fun match.”
Bartlett will likely soon become a member of an exclusive club in college wrestling as an athlete that’s team never a dual meet in his 5-year collegiate career. Penn State’s last loss came to Iowa on Jan. 31, 2020.
“I don’t know if I can lose a college dual,” Bartlett said. “That’s an awesome feeling. At the end of the day, you’re never surrounded by 20 people who are upset. You have guys that are teching people, pinning guys, having awesome matches and everywhere in between. I think it motivates you to keep going.”
