Bartelson captures fourth title, claims Puyallup history

With four fingers raised in celebration, Puyallup High’s Jordyn Bartelson knew she could finally rest after completing her four-year quest of making history.

It’s been years in the making for her moment at Mat Classic XXVIII at the Tacoma Dome — four state championships. All that stood between Puyallup’s Bartelson and greatness was Naches Valley’s Kaylee Moore in the girls 120-pound bracket Saturday night.

In arguably her toughest bout at the Dome, Bartelson outlasted Moore and finally pinned her at 3 minutes, 59 seconds, becoming the first wrestler in Puyallup School District history — and the second girl to Keona-Benton’s Sheridan McDonald (2008-2011) — to accomplish the feat.

“No, it hasn’t hit me yet, but I know it’s going to,” Bartelson said.

Grandview’s Desiree Zavala joined Bartelson in the four-peat club after winning the 145-pound championship moments later.

The journey to this year’s tournament was a byproduct of Bartelson’s original plan set in motion when she joined the Puyallup wrestling program.

Her and sister Brooklyn traveled around with their father, Bryan, then a coach at Orting High and for the Puyallup Falcons, before his current stop coaching the girls team at Puyallup High. A lifetime wrestler, Bryan brought his daughters into the wrestling life early.

“It’s going to be tough after all this. I know I’m going to need a talk to a counselor when this is done,” Bryan joked.

Even when she began to combatively wrestle back in grade school, wrestling was always meant to be a family thing.

Keep in shape, stay connected and experience life together were some of Jordyn and Brooklyn’s goals. Winning was always a by-product.

“We probably didn’t get competitive until third, fourth grade … it’s been a family thing,” Jordyn said.

After winning her first state title as a freshman, Bartelson changed. This wasn’t just about keeping in shape during the winter months.

It became the drive for the Viking senior.

“My freshman year was definitely my favorite. Ever since then, just been taking it one season at a time,” Jordyn said. “And just trying to do it, and it all added up (to four state titles).”

This was the toughest tournament Bartelson has competed in, miles ahead of where it was when she began her quest. Four years ago, it was hard to find strong competition in the girls division.

Then Bartelson came along, forging a path for the budding division, creating an explosion where competition becomes fiercer each passing season.

“The reason you see the girls division has grown so much is because of her,” Bryan said back in January.

It’s because of the girls like her, Bryan would add, the daughters of wrestling dads who have risen to the challenge in creating a growing division. Bryan knows a little bit about history.

He’s seen it 10 years ago when Whitney Conder placed seventh in the 103-pound boys bracket. Conder was the only girl to place among the boys division, and a year later, the girls division was created.

“Oh, no, definitely not,” Jordyn said when comparing her accomplishments to Conder, who is a part of USA Women’s Wrestling. “Whitney’s done amazing things in wrestling. She only on the Olympics — that’s crazy. That’s more than I can ever hope to do. And I’m ending this chapter of my life.”

Jordyn Bartleson witnessed it all, and a decade later, it was her turn at history.

“I tried not to put any of the pressure on me (winning) four state titles. I tried to wrestle one match at a time, and uh, everything worked out,” Jordyn said. “I’m excited ... I worked hard for this. I’m glad I got to experience it all with my sister.”

With her hand raised in victory, Bartelson held out four fingers in the other signifying her accomplishments, her family’s journey. Not missing a beat, Brooklyn shot into her older sisters arms, crying.

“I’m going to miss her next year … that’s going to be different,” Brooklyn said, face reddened while tears streamed down her cheeks. “It’s not going to be the same without her there pushing me. She’s worked so hard for to get here, I couldn’t be prouder of her.”

And with that, for the first time, it dawned on the senior. It was over. Her high school athletic career at Puyallup was done. There would be no practices to go to. No games or matches left on the schedule.

She was retired from Vikings athletics.

Not missing a beat herself, Bartelson began crying with her sister, knowing her time with her family, her time with her team had ended. No more holding back.

“It’s going to be hard being so far away,” Bartelson said as she cried with her sister. “I don’t know how I’ll feel in a year.”

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Bartelson captures fourth title, claims Puyallup history."