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Spencer Lee wins battle of former Hawkeye lightweights to win 57 kg at U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling

Apr. 20, 2024, 2:49 PM (ET) by Cody Goodwin, Special to TheMat.com

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This was what the fans wanted to see, right?
Spencer Lee. Thomas Gilman. Two former Hawkeyes. Two world-class wrestlers.
But only one could win the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling.
In a highly-anticipated best-of-three finals series, it was Lee who emerged victorious, defeating Gilman two matches to none to win the Trials at 57 kilograms. Lee won the first match, 6-3, thanks to a takedown-to-a-turn sequence in the second period. In the second, a similar script unfolded: Gilman led 2-2 on criteria with 30 seconds left, then Lee erupted for a takedown, two turns, and ultimately pinned Gilman in 5:58. As a result, Lee is the Olympic Trials champion — but he is not yet an Olympian.
The Murrysville, Pa., native must now qualify the U.S. for the 57-kg competition at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. He’ll travel to Istanbul, Turkey, next month for the World Olympic Games Qualifier, set for May 9-12. In all, the United States still needs to qualify five weights for Paris: 57 kg and 65 kg in men’s freestyle as well as 60 kg, 67 kg, and 77 kg in Greco-Roman.
It’s a challenge Lee is ready to attack, the same way he attacked the Trials this weekend. Lee finished 4-0 and outscored his opponents by a combined 35-11. He took out Nico Megaludis, another Murrysville native and occasional training partner; Zane Richards, the returning world team rep; then Gilman, three-time world medalist, world champion, and Olympic bronze medalist, in consecutive matches.
Winning Olympic gold has always been Lee’s dream. He’s now closer than he’s ever been — and he doesn’t plan on stopping now.
Here’s a weight-by-weight rundown of what happened in Session III on Saturday: … more at … Themat.com/Spencer-lee-wins-battle-of-former-hawkeye-lightweights-to-win-57-kg-at-u-s-olympic-team-trials

April 27, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Cerritos Takes Home Second Consecutive Women’s Wrestling State Championship

Complete Results

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With 166 points and three individual state champions, the Falcons took home their second consecutive 3C2A Women’s Wrestling State Championship on Saturday evening at Sacramento City College.  “I think the team chemistry is one of the biggest things that set us apart,” said Cerritos Head Coach Dustin Kirk. “I talk about enjoying the process, having fun and enjoying the journey. At the end of the day, it’s a sport and one of the hardest games out there. We forget about that and these girls came out and represented themselves.”
In addition to three state champions, the Falcons had five wrestlers finish second in their respective weight classes. Their depth throughout the team led to the second state championship in 3C2A history.  The Mt. San Antonio Mounties were the closest team behind them as they finished with 127.5 points. Mt. SAC came into the tournament ranked third but saw three members of their team become state champions while two more finished runner up. 
East Los Angeles placed third overall with … more at … CCAAsports.org/2023-24/releases

April 27, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

NCWWC Regions Announced ahead of 2024-25 Season

Following approval from the Executive Committee Thursday, the regional assignments for the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship (NCWWC) for the 2024-25 season have been solidified.

The NCWWC will move from a six-region qualification to eight regions for the coming year, a testament to the explosive growth the sport of women’s wrestling is currently experiencing. A total of 96 teams across NCAA Division I, II and III will field women’s wrestling programs this coming season, with 23 of those programs competing for the first time in the fall of 2024.

“The NCWWC Women’s Coaches Leadership Group spent quite a bit of time looking at this from all angles to develop a solid working set of recommendations,” Leadership Group Chair Cliff Cushard of Adrian College said. “The inter-complexity of the various pieces was really quite impressive. I commend everyone involved and want to thank the NWCA for their expert input and guidance along the way. The NCWWC Executive Committee understood and appreciated this work and approved it for next season. It is going to be an amazing final year of the NCWWC – with a large field and the opportunity for more NCAA student-athletes and varsity programs to earn their places in history. I’m excited about the future of our great sport!”

In moving to the eight regions, the top four at each weight class will still qualify to the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship March 7-8, 2025, increasing the field of student-athletes to 320 from 240 this season. The 2025 NCWWC will take place at Xtreme Arena in Coralville, IA. … more at … NWCAonline.com/NCWWC-regions-announced-ahead-of-2024-25-season

April 27, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment