Penn State wrestlers Beau Bartlett, Josh Barr show why the country’s best recruits join program
Some of the best wrestlers in the country continue to flock to Penn State, even though they may not crack the starting lineup.
While college wrestling fans may ask why that’s the case, Nittany Lions coach Cael Sanderson said what the program offers is “bigger than just winning or being a starter.” It’s a program where each wrestler can meet his individual goal.
“If you can make the lineup at Penn State, you can win the national tournament,” Sanderson said Monday during media day, as the team prepares for a Friday dual with Michigan State. “These kids, they want to win the national tournament. Some kids want to be a four year starter. Some kids want to be a national champion. It just depends on the kids. It depends on what their ultimate goals are.”
Terrell Barraclough was one of those wrestlers who cracked the starting lineup here and there for the Nittany Lions but was never considered a full-time starter. He transferred to Utah Valley this year for his final collegiate season.
Barraclough is ranked No. 4 in the nation at 165 pounds, and is 15-1. He’s had wins over some well known wrestlers like Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso, Oklahoma State’s Cameron Amine and Nebraska’s Bubba Wilson — twice.
“There’s very few cases of kids that aren’t coming in and improving each year, and aren’t better when they’re seniors than when they were freshmen in a tough sport. That’s not always the case, so I think it’s just a big picture thing,” Sanderson said. “It’s kind of what depends on what’s most (the) important thing to them. Kids that are coming here want to be the best version of themselves that they can be. They feel like this is a place for them. If you come here, you’re going to get better, that’s just what happens.”
When it comes to current wrestlers, Josh Barr and Beau Bartlett each had successful high school careers. They had a pick of whatever college program they wanted to go to, but still chose Penn State.
Bartlett came in looking to compete at his current weight of 141 pounds. But in order to see the starting lineup, he had to compete at 149 pounds for his first two years, as Nick Lee was winning NCAA titles at 141.
He didn’t have quite the success he might have hoped for in those two years, but when he made the switch to 141 pounds, the sky was the limit. Bartlett finished third at the Big Ten and NCAA Championships his first year, and was a runner-up in both last year.
“I think as a high school recruit, I said, four time undefeated NCAA champion, that’s like the goal. You kind of hear every single person say that. I’ve really fallen in love with the process,” Bartlett said Monday. “I feel more motivated than ever. There’s a lot of obstacles along the way, and a lot of lessons, which I didn’t foresee. But, that’s how life has been through all areas of learning things. I’m very confident in my ability to learn, continue to grow and persevere. I’m really excited just to show myself what I can do.”
For Barr, he came in and sat behind four-time All-American Bernie Truax. Barr saw the maximum of five events in a Nittany Lions’ singlet to be able to keep his redshirt intact. The Michigan native went 14-0, winning the Edinboro Open, Mat-Town II Open, Black Knight Invitational and Journeymen Collegiate at 184 pounds.
This year, Barr would’ve slotted right into that weight with Truax graduating, but Carter Starocci decided to come back for a fifth year. It forced Barr to either move up to 197 pounds, which is his current weight, or not really see the starting lineup.
He decided to make the switch and had been in position battle with Lucas Cochran. Barr topped Corchran, 10-1, in the Black Knight Invitational finals.
From there, he has built up a 7-0 mark with some big wins over Lehigh’s Michael Beard and Little Rock’s Stephen Little. Barr’s success has had him go from being unranked at the beginning of the year to No. 4 in the country.
“Confidence and momentum are a big thing. I get all of that from being in here with my partners and my coaches. I’m just having faith and following the plan,” Barr said. “So that’s where my all my confidence comes from. It’s just the way I train, my work ethic, dedication and commitment to the sport. The success plays a part, but what I do in here is the biggest contributor to my confidence.”
Michigan State (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) at No. 1 Penn State (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Rec Hall
Radio: Big Foot Legends (103.7 & 104.3 FM)
TV: Big Ten Network
Online: Radio, Lionvision at GoPSUsports.com
X: @byncobler, @pennstatewrest
| Nittany Lions | vs. | Spartans |
| 125: No. 12 Luke Lilledahl (8-0) | vs. | Caleb Weiand (7-6) |
| 133: No. 5 Braeden Davis (5-1) | vs. | Tristan Lujan (3-4) |
| 141: No. 3 Beau Bartlett (9-0) | vs. | Evan Herriman (3-3) |
| 149: No. 2 Shayne Van Ness (9-0) | vs. | Jaden Crumpler (4-7) |
| 157: No. 3 Tyler Kasak (8-0) OR Alex Facundo (5-0) | vs. | Braden Stauffenberg (3-7) |
| 165: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (10-0) | vs. | Jay Nivison (7-6) OR DJ Shannon (3-3) |
| 174: No. 2 Levi Haines (8-1) | vs. | Ceasar Garza (9-6) |
| 184: No. 1 Carter Starocci (9-0) | vs. | Luke Daly (10-6) |
| 197: No. 4 Josh Barr (7-0) OR Lucas Cochran (4-0) | vs. | No. 25 Remy Cotton (8-4) |
| 285: No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet (9-0) | vs. | Max Vanadia (9-9) |
