Hawkeye Wrestling Club member will compete in men’s freestyle Thursday
K.J. Pilcher
Aug. 5, 2024 7:49 pm, Updated: Aug. 6, 2024 9:22 am
Spencer Lee is ready to take on the world.
He’s conquered it before, winning three age-level World titles by the time he graduated high school.
The former University of Iowa three-time NCAA champion will step back on that world stage Thursday, attempting to achieve a longtime goal. He has his sights set on an Olympic gold medal, wrestling at 125.5 pounds (57 kilograms) in men’s freestyle in Paris.
“I feel good,” Lee said before leaving for Paris. “I’m ready to go. We know what it takes to be at that level and I’ve got coaches who have been there and know what it takes to train and prepare the best you can to be the best you can when you go out there.”
Lee is the 20th Hawkeye wrestler to compete in the Olympics and the first since bronze medalist Thomas Gilman in 2021 (The 2020 Tokyo Games were postponed due to the COVID pandemic). Lee also accompanied Hawkeye Wrestling Club Coach Dan Dennis to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“It’s time to perform,” said Iowa Coach Tom Brands, who won Olympic gold at Atlanta in 1996. “Zero hour is upon us, to use a term from (legendary Iowa Coach Dan) Gable. It’s coming quick.
“It’s certainly important to our program. We’re not just throwing our hat in the ring. I can say that and not freak Spencer Lee out. He’s there to perform and we love that.”
Lee will have the Stars and Stripes on his back and a Tigerhawk in his heart. Not only will he be representing the country with USA Wrestling, but he will be adding to Hawkeye wrestling’s legacy in the sport’s greatest event.
“I’m excited,” Lee said. “Absolutely. Of course, I feel like that (I’m representing Iowa, too). No matter what, this (Iowa) is part of me, part of who I am. It’s where I trained. It’s who I’m coached by. Iowa is me and it would be wrong to say I’m not representing Iowa because I am.”
Lee’s Olympic fate has rested in his own hands most of the year. He rolled through the Olympic Team Trials in May, beating former Penn State standout Nico Megaludis and U.S. World Team member Zane Richards on his way to a best-of-3 series against Gilman.
Lee continued his impressive streak, sweeping Gilman with a 6-3 decision and a pin in the final seconds with a 10-2 lead.
Work remained because members of the U.S. National Team hadn’t qualified the weight class for Paris. Lee had no margin for error when he competed in the Last Chance Qualifier in Istanbul, Turkey, a couple weeks after the trials. He didn’t mind being in control of his Olympic destiny.
“I was happy I was able to do it,” said Lee, who was unable to do it earlier since he wasn’t on the previous national team. “Just because I wasn’t able to do it while I was in Mexico.
“For me, it was like now I get to prove myself that I should have done more to be on the national team the year before so that I could have made the opportunity myself. So, I kind of got to be able to take that back for myself.”
The quick return to competition isn’t common at the international level. Wrestlers compete much less than their high school and college counterparts. Lee was unfazed posting three technical superiority decisions and a hard-fought, 10-9, decision over China’s Wanhao Zou in the second round.
“Took care of business and he’s where he needs to be for the next step,” Brands said.
Lee’s journey started much earlier when he put the freestyle world on notice with his dominant senior-level performances, starting with his Bill Farrell Memorial International gold in November and the U.S. Senior Nationals crown in December.
Brands said Lee is healthier than he’s been in a long time and has persevered adversity. He remains the same talent on the mat that shines brightest under the biggest spotlight.
“He’s put emphasis on the most important competitions (and) I don’t know if there’s any more important than this one coming up,” Brands said. “You’re talking about a guy who is a super high-octane competitor. You’re talking about a guy who gets up for the best events that are in front of him. Here we are. It’s time to perform.”
Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com
