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MAN ON A MISSION

Northern's Isaac Bartel has one thing left to do, and that's win a national title

Talk about tunnel vision.

There's no question, Montana State University-Northern wrestler Isaac Bartel has had a singular focus from the moment the 2020-21 wrestling season started. Actually, that focus to win an NAIA national champion really started the second he walked off the mat after a loss to Grand View's Evan Hansen in the 197-pound national championship match last March in Wichita, Kansas.

You see, Bartel is one of those wrestlers, those athletes who can truly say, they've almost done it all. All, that is, except for win the ultimate prize - a national championship.

And that's what he's after this weekend in Kansas. That's what he's been after all year, and it's what he's been after since he stepped foot on Northern's campus four years ago.

That's right, winning a national championship fuels Bartel's engine. And it's a high-octane engine no doubt.

"Isaac is hungry," Northern head coach Tyson Thivierge said at the start of this bizarre season. "He's been right there, he's been so close. He knows exactly what he has to do, and he'll do what it takes to get there. He works so hard. He's relentless, and that's going to pay off for him."

Bartel most certainly knows what it takes. He's wrestled in two straight national championship matches, along with finishing third as a freshman to already be a three-time All-American. He's got conference championships, quick pin awards and an impressive college record, including a perfect 11-0 on the season.

Yes, Bartel has done it all - well except get his arm raised in that last 197-pound match of the NAIA season, and that's the driving force behind just about everything he does.

"Coming short of your goal is a huge driving force," Bartel said. "This is something I think about every day and it helps me to stay motivated on and off the mat."

Of course,, winning a national title and helping Northern do the same is something Bartel has been thinking about since he got to campus. The former state champion from Mason City, Iowa, came to Northern after his older brother Andrew, who had quite the successful career as a Light, as well. The duo wrestled together for two years, and have not only become a huge part of the MSU-N wrestling family, but they've also made Havre their home away from home.

"Making the journey out to Montana from Iowa was one of the best decisions I've made," Isaac said. "My brother (Andy) and I both love everything about it here. Every chance we get we are both out hunting, fishing or just enjoying the outdoors of Montana which is something we both love. We have made some amazing friends and Andy has started a family here, which is awesome. I would have never thought that things would have turned out the way they did but we both are super happy here in Montana."

And Northern, Havre and Montana are happy to have them, too. Certainly, Northern wrestling fans have been treated to watching Isaac's take-no-prisoners style over the last four years. Though this year, fans have had to watch from their computer screens, due to restrictions in space because of the pandemic.

The pandemic has also been a thorn in the side of college wrestling, and college sports in general this season, and it most definitely got in the way of Bartel's quest, as wrestling got a late start, and the Lights have had very limited matches, including no Cascade Conference Championships this year.

But, Bartel said, for him, and for his team, nothing has changed, and while he hasn't faced as many opponents this year as in season's past, he said he trusts in the training, the preparation, and in coach Thivierge.

"The lack of matches this year does not concern me," he said. "We have been preparing for this tournament all year long. We are going to go into it strong and confident. I also believe in our training and preparation. Obviously, we all wanted to be able to compete all season long but it just adds to the story."

And it's a story Bartel is looking to end like a Hollywood movie. His quest to win a national championship has been four years in the making, and it could finally end Saturday night in Park City, Kansas. It's what he's been dreaming about, it's what he's been working so hard for, and like his coach said, he knows exactly what he needs to do to make it happen.

"I just need to wrestle my style and get out and score points," Bartel said. "Your best defense is your offense and our training is there. There is no telling what it will feel like. I imagine it will feel amazing and filled with a lot of emotion."

"Isaac has never looked better," Thivierge said. "He's on a warpath to rectify his last two trips to the finals. He also knows he has a massive target on his back and he has stayed focused on what he needs to do to win that title. He knows anything can happen at the national tournament, so he's been really focused on scoring points and not leaving it up to outside factors."

Oh, no question Bartel will be on the offensive. He's four matches from completing his goal, his dream. He's just two days away from achieving the one thing he has left to do, and he's going to go after it like he always does.

Yes, Isaac Bartel only has one thing left to do in his Northern wrestling career, and he couldn't be more excited that the time to finish the job has finally come.

"I am super excited to get out on the mat and be able to compete. We have been working towards this all year. This year has had its ups and downs, but we have stayed positive and all have the same end goal in mind," he said. "I am super excited to be able to compete at nationals. I am feeling good and ready to get out on the mat."

 

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