During his four seasons with the Rancho Bernardo High School wrestling team, Tyler Badgett became arguably the most successful wrestler in the program’s history.

Now Badgett hopes he can say the same thing four years from now at the University of Pittsburgh.

“I loved the direction the program is headed, and they have excellent coaches in Keith Gavin and Jordan Leen.”

Now with the addition of Luke Pletcher to the staff, Badgett is even more excited to get into the room and start working out with him.

Badgett committed to attend Old Dominion University after high school. However, when Old Dominion University announced that they were cutting the program, Badgett decided to look somewhere else to accomplish his dream of being a national champion.

“The ODU coaching staff informed me that the program was being dropped. They helped me navigate through this process and made sure I was making the right decision when I choose Pitt.”

Badgett’s credentials are simply awesome. Badgett was a four-year state qualifier for the Broncos, helping lead the team to four straight San Diego Section Runner-up finishes. Including, finishing third at the inaugural CIF state duals.

He’s also the all-time winningest grappler in school history, posting an eye-popping 183-34 record during his four seasons and earning more than 100 pins during his career. During his freshman and sophomore seasons, Badgett finished withing a match of placing at the state tournament. During his junior and senior campaigns, Badgett finished as the California state runner-up. 

“I had a lot of fun at Rancho Bernardo,” Badgett said. “It probably won’t hit for 10 years but I have a lot of good memories of my times and my accomplishments.”

The University of Pittsburgh has been a very strong wrestling program at the Division I level. After a small lull in recent years, it’s bringing itself back to that level once again. The Panthers took second at the ACC tournament and had seven wrestlers advance to the national tournament.

There does seem to be room for Badgett. At 149 the only wrestler with tremendous experience is Dallas Bulsak. He’s a Junior that has competed at the ACC tournament on two occasions. At 157 Taleb Rahmani was an NCAA qualifier but will be graduating this summer. Both spots are open up for grabs.

“I hope so,” Badgett said when asked if he could start. “I am supposed to be wrestling at those weight classes. I think I was a big pickup for 149 or 157.”