Spencer Lee: 4x NCAA champ or Olympic medalist?

[Jimmy Cinnabon]

Here's a hypothetical regarding Spencer Lee.  We all know he had double ACL surgery this offseason, and is likely to sit out the college season as much as possible.  He will likely wrestle the minimum 10 matches to qualify for NCAAs and then try to win his 4th NCAA championship.

 

Now, would you rather see Spencer win his 4th NCAA title or become a Olympic medalist?  Obviously, he could very well achieve both, but for purposes of this hypothetical, we are assuming he can only do one...because of his body and the wear and tear pursuing a 4th NCAA title will add.

 

So 4-timer or Olympic medalist?

[totough]

Well I think he would he would opt for a Olympic gold medal & has been his vision for some time. Hasn't he even said so in some past interviews. Olympic Gold medalist would be awesome for that young man.  

[ionel]

[Jerry Callo]

It seems to me if he returns too soon from his surgery he is risking the chance at being an Olympian in 2024 in order to get NCAA title #4.

Assuming he is not stupid doesn’t that answer the question?  Isn’t he putting his priority on a 4th NCAA title in 2023 over a chance at an Olympic medal in 2024?

[Wrestej]

Such a shame his career has been riddled with so many major injuries.  I thought for sure he would be a multi time world and Olympic champion.  Now I hope for him he just gets to experience going.  So many people talented people in all sports don’t get to pursue their dreams because injuries, hope he doesn’t get added to that list.  Imagine if his body wouldn’t have betrayed him.

[Paul158]

Not in a negative way but what year is Spenser in his college career? Number 6 ? He is a great wrestler but  its just unfortunate he has had all these injuries.

[Jimmy Cinnabon]

27 minutes ago, Paul158 said:

Not in a negative way but what year is Spenser in his college career? Number 6 ? He is a great wrestler but  its just unfortunate he has had all these injuries.

He's a 2016 high school grad, so yes this is year 6 in college.

[JVStateChamp]

1 minute ago, Jimmy Cinnabon said:

He's a 2016 high school grad, so yes this is year 6 in college.

If I am not mistaken I believe he is a 2017 high school grad. Lost to DeSanto in the 2017 PIAA finals.

[Jimmy Cinnabon]

9 minutes ago, JVStateChamp said:

If I am not mistaken I believe he is a 2017 high school grad. Lost to DeSanto in the 2017 PIAA finals.

You are right, 2017 HS grad.  But this is his 6th season of NCAA wrestling.

 

[Pinnacle]

Is Spencer eligible for one of the numerous ways a redshirt can be given out? Would Iowa do that this year if he is not 100 percent? Lot of injuries in his resume. 

[Jimmy Cinnabon]

37 minutes ago, Pinnacle said:

Is Spencer eligible for one of the numerous ways a redshirt can be given out? Would Iowa do that this year if he is not 100 percent? Lot of injuries in his resume. 

Maybe?  He had the COVID year, one medical redshirt...could he use a regular redshirt now? He is *relatively* young for an Iowa wrestler at only 24 years of age.

[JVStateChamp]

1 hour ago, Pinnacle said:

Is Spencer eligible for one of the numerous ways a redshirt can be given out? Would Iowa do that this year if he is not 100 percent? Lot of injuries in his resume. 

Back to the original discussion question, I believe him redshirting this year may hinder his ability for the olympic team. I know the saying "wrestling is wrestling" but I think that the grind of a full NCAA season would have an impact in his ability to transition for the olympic team. I would assume that Spencer will wrestle in most Big10 duals and be ready in the second semester.

[Mr. PeanutButter]

Lee has stated numerous times that his ultimate goal is an Olympic gold medal. 

I look forward to watching him compete for many years to come. For the purposes of this discussion, Id rather Lee skip this year entirely if that meant being able to compete internationally.

Obviously, I'd rather see both...

[Pinnacle]

I was thinking about this for the past few days and I think if Spencer is fully recovered then he should go on a limited pitch count, then wrestle college post season, then go 100 percent freestyle to prepare for 2024. 

But what if he is anything less than 100 percent? If possible, would Iowa redshirt him to protect his potential 4th title? How would that impact the rest of their line up would be of concern. 

[JeanGuy]

15 minutes ago, Pinnacle said:

I was thinking about this for the past few days and I think if Spencer is fully recovered then he should go on a limited pitch count, then wrestle college post season, then go 100 percent freestyle to prepare for 2024. 

But what if he is anything less than 100 percent? If possible, would Iowa redshirt him to protect his potential 4th title? How would that impact the rest of their line up would be of concern. 

I'm not sure what 100% healthy even is for him at this point.

I expect him to wrestle limited in NCAA dual season. I really think he is all in on Iowa and his teammates. As an elite guy you never think too much about the possibility of getting injured. You just go out and compete.

Hopefully for him the Olympics are in his future but you never know.

[Jimmy Cinnabon]

Spencer had a torn ACL when he lost to Desanto in the PIAA finals when he was a senior in high school.  I think he's had at least 1 bad ACL every single season he's competed in college.  He's worn one or two giant leg braces that go from his ankle to his hip.  That said, the toll of these injuries is definitely cumulative and I think freestyle can be especially hard on the knees...think all the torque you go through when you get leg laced.

A "healthy" Spencer could win a Olympic gold medal...a Spencer with two shot knees and 6 years of NCAA wear and tear...well I guess we'll see...

Edited November 28, 2022 by Jimmy Cinnabon

[de4856]

5 hours ago, Jimmy Cinnabon said:

 

Now, would you rather see Spencer win his 4th NCAA title or become an Olympic medalist?

I would rather see him win an Olympic medal. And preferably that medal be Gold. 

[AKHUNTER]

I want to see him reach both goals. But of course Oly Gold is better than #4.

[Hokeye]

Actions speak louder than words.  He has acted in a way that makes me believe he cares more about his college career than international styles.   He has competed in college wrestling much more than international.  I think he will get this fourth title and still be able to go for the Olympic Gold at least once.  It is hard to imagine him being a guy that competes for more than 3-4 years post college due to all of the health problems.

[Theo Brixton]

[Jimmy Cinnabon]

3 hours ago, Hokeye said:

Actions speak louder than words.  He has acted in a way that makes me believe he cares more about his college career than international styles.   He has competed in college wrestling much more than international.  I think he will get this fourth title and still be able to go for the Olympic Gold at least once.  It is hard to imagine him being a guy that competes for more than 3-4 years post college due to all of the health problems.

Also, Hawkeye fans would have you believe he is already next in line to be the next head coach after Tom Brands retires.

[CropDuster507]

JC was who Brands was talking about when he said propaganda lol

[Eagle26]

I’m sure anyone would rather be an Olympic gold medalists as that is the height of the sport. Now, Olympic bronze or silver vs 4x NCAA champ could be a debate… I’m not sure where I’d fall on that one.
 

FWIW, I don’t think Spencer is putting his 4 NCAA titles above his dream of Olympic gold. I think he believes he can do both and that competing in a limited folkstyle schedule won’t hurt him. The plan could work, but unfortunately he keeps running into more injuries so who knows. Also, I think his desire to return to the collegiate mat is more for his team than it is for his personal glory. 

[bdhof]

I hate being a naysayer, but I can't imagine him competing at the Olympic or World level anymore. His greatest strength in NCAA wrestling has always been his top game, not his neutral game. I know he is a 4X World champ (2 Cadets and 2 JRs) but his last title was 6 years ago. I truly hope he can make it thru the NCAA season and win his 4th title. That would be a tremendous accomplishment if he can pull it off. A healthy Lee is a shoe-in for 4 NCAA titles and a smart money bet for US rep and OLY or World champ or medalist. We haven't seen that version of Spencer in a while. At this point I can't see him getting past Gilman or even others as the US rep.

[jross]

A single Olympic gold medal is worth more than going undefeated and never being scored on from pee-wee through college.