Bartelt wins two gold medals for Team USA in Argentina
BY BRANT PARSONS — Sawyer Bartelt’s first trip out of the country was a memorable one.
The South Dade rising junior won two gold medals for Team USA at the U17 Pan American Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina over the weekend, winning titles in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling.
“It was great to represent the United States and win tough matches,” Bartelt said. “We have a whole other level of competition in the United States and that prepares us for tournaments like this.”
Bartlelt knocked off Agentina's Jorge Gonzalez, Mexico's Ocaranza Ramirez, and Brazil's Santana Oliveira to win the Greco-Roman gold at 92 kg on Friday.
On Sunday, Bartelt beat Venezuela's Jose Martinez Garces, Canada's Jagroop Singh Dhinsa, Mexico's Diego Guillen Ruiz, and Argentina's Santiago Antibet to win the 92 kg gold medal in freestyle.
Over the two competitions, the United State team went 64-4, winning 16 total titles and finishing second in the other four weight divisions.
“Our team had amazing wrestlers and we created memories that we’re never going to forget,” Bartelt said.
Along with experiencing traveling through customs the first time, Bartelt also enjoyed navigating the language barrier.
“Everyone is walking around with Google translate on their phones and they’re speaking into them to talk,” Bartelt said. “That’s something I won’t forget.”
Next up for Bartelt is traveling to Fargo, North Dakota next month to compete in the USA Wrestling Junior National Championships. After winning in Greco-Roman last year, Bartelt is hoping to repeat the success he had in Argentina this July.
“I’m going to keep training harder and harder to get ready,” Bartelt said. “People have high expectations of me and that’s good to have and I hope to thrive off of it.”
Sawyer Bartelt after winning a goal medal in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo courtesy of Sawyer Bartelt)
COLLEGE RECRUITING
The recruiting of Bartelt has begun.
The two-time Florida state champion is listed at No. 9 in the country on FloWrestling’s latest Big Board for the Class of 2024. With Bartelt now a rising junior, he’s now able to be recruited.
“It’s pretty interesting so far,” Bartelt said of the recruiting, which began the first day of Junior Duals earlier this month. “I’m getting calls and texts and my coaches are getting calls and texts - so far it’s a wild experience.”
Brant Parsons is the founder and executive editor of Kabra Wrestling. He has been covering high school wrestling in Florida since 2004. He can be reached at brant@kabrawrestling.com.
