Penn State Wrestler Beau Bartlett Announces Plan to Return Next Season

Bartlett, the NCAA runner-up at 141 pounds, makes a significant decision for the Nittany Lions, who will seek their fourth consecutive NCAA team title.

Penn State wrestler Beau Bartlett is announced for the 141-pound championship bout at the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Kansas City. / Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State wrestler Beau Bartlett made an oh-by-the-way announcement Monday. Literally. The NCAA runner-up confirmed that he will return for the Nittany Lions next season.

"Oh and btw see ya next year @NCAAWrestling," Bartlett posted in message on X (formerly Twitter) one day after the Penn State wrestling team's annual postseason banquet.

Bartlett, a two-time NCAA medalist, placed second at 141 pounds at the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships. He reached the championship bout for the first time, falling 4-1 to Ohio State's Jesse Mendez. Bartlett, who placed third in 2023, finished the season at 24-2, losing only to Mendez in the Big Ten and NCAA finals.

Bartlett was terrific for coach Cael Sanderson's team, reaching No. 1 in InterMat'a weekly rankings after February wins over Mendez and Iowa's Real Woods, both ranked No. 2 at the time. Bartlett took an unbeaten record and the nation's top ranking into the postseason.

Bartlett's return for a fifth season gives Penn State some intriguing options at 141 and 149 pounds next year. Tyler Kasak wrestled at 141 until Shayne Van Ness' season-ending injury left a vacancy at 149. Kasak filled the spot exceptionally, placing third at NCAAs by winning seven consecutive bouts after losing in the first round. Van Ness is scheduled to return for the Nittany Lions next season. Kasak, who was scheduled to redshirt this season, could take that redshirt next year with Bartlett and Van Ness returning. Or Kasak could claim a lineup spot with a strong preseason performance.

Penn State won its third consecutive NCAA team title with a record 172.5 points, arguably the tournament performance in NCAA wrestling history, and will chase a repeat (or better) next year. Of their eight All-Americans, six are eligible to return. The Nittany Lions will lose four-time NCAA champ Aaron Brooks and four-time medalist Bernie Truax, who have exhausted their eligibility.

They are waiting on announcements from four-time champ Carter Starocci and 2024 champ Greg Kerkvliet, who have a season of eligibility remaining. NCAA champ Levi Haines will be a junior, and runner-up Mitchell Mesenbrink will have sophomore eligibility. Penn State also returns lightweights Braeden Davis, who won the Big Ten title at 125, and 133-pounder Aaron Nagao.

AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich.