Spencer Lee claimed the title at 57 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)The battles for spots on the 2020 United States Olympic Team are going to be fierce.
This past weekend's Senior Nationals in Fort Worth, Texas, were certainly proof of that.
Many of the nation's best veteran and young wrestlers took the mat as they continue pursuit of landing a spot in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
The top five finishers at the Senior Nationals in each weight class earned berths into April's U.S. Olympic Trials at Penn State University.
Wrestlers competed at the three-day Senior Nationals in the 18 Olympic weight classes -- six in men's freestyle, six in women's freestyle and six in Greco-Roman.
Here are my top takeaways from the Senior Nationals:
Spen-cerrrr Leeeeeeee!
The much-anticipated return of Spencer Lee to freestyle wrestling more than lived up to the hype. Lee, a three-time age-group world champion, destroyed the field en route to earning the Senior Nationals crown at 57 kilograms. Lee cruised through a loaded bracket with his closest match being a decisive 8-2 victory over past NCAA champion Nathan Tomasello in the finals. Lee looked outstanding -- wrestling strong in all positions while also being physical with superb technique and finishes. He was competing in freestyle for the first time in more than three years. Lee now turns his focus back to winning his third NCAA title for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Lee will definitely be in the mix in what will be a stacked bracket at April's Olympic Trials.
Logan Massa his a four-point move on Mekhi Lewis in the finals at 74 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Logan's run
How many people were picking Logan Massa to win the men's freestyle title at 74 kilograms? Probably nobody outside Ann Arbor, Michigan. But Massa, who hasn't exactly been outstanding at the collegiate level, is a much better freestyle wrestler. Massa proved that when he rallied to beat 2019 NCAA champion and Junior world champion Mekhi Lewis in the Senior Nationals finals. Massa scored on a beautiful four-point body lock to down Lewis in the finals in Texas.
Lampe's Olympic quest
Two-time world medalist Alyssa Lampe stepped away from competition after falling short of making the 2016 Olympic Team in women's freestyle wrestling. After three years away, including spending time working at a Colorado Springs YMCA, Lampe decided to return to the mat this year. She made a triumphant return, rallying to earn a fall over past world team member Victoria Anthony to win the Senior Nationals. Lampe has never made an Olympic Team, but she will be among the top contenders to make the U.S. squad at 50 kilograms this season.
Bey is back
Kamal Bey is one of the most dynamic and explosive wrestlers in the world. He is a human highlight reel with his array of spectacular throws and lifts. He has won a Junior world title in Greco-Roman and made a Senior world team. Bey is looking to bounce back after failing to make the world team this past season. He was dominant in winning the Senior Nationals at 77 kilograms. Expect him to make a strong run at winning the Olympic Trials. He's a guy who certainly has the capability to reach the medal podium at the Olympic Games.
Forrest powers to title
Forrest Molinari didn't waste much time in earning a quick fall in her women's freestyle match in the finals. Molinari has made a Senior world team and has moved up to the Olympic weight of 68 kilograms that includes reigning world champion Tamyra Mensah of the U.S. Molinari is an aggressive, hard-charging wrestler that has an entertaining style. She put on a show in Texas.
Schultz stepping up
Young Greco-Roman phenom Cohlton Schultz continues to impress. The Cadet world champion and Junior world silver medalist is still a teenager, but the 19-year-old is already knocking at the door to make his first Senior-level team. He will have to knock off 2018 World silver medalist Adam Coon in order to make the 2020 Olympic Team. Schultz hasn't backed down from setting lofty goals and he could be the Greco heavyweight that Team USA sends to Tokyo next year.
Zahid is a stud
It wasn't a huge surprise to see young phenom Zahid Valencia power to the men's freestyle crown at 86 kilograms. He gave up the first takedown before coming back to earn a hard-fought 7-5 win over a strong opponent in Myles Martin. Valencia is a two-time NCAA champion who is a past Junior world silver medalist in freestyle. Valencia has bumped up in weight in college and internationally, but he looks like a good fit for his new weight classes. Valencia is a guy who seems like he continues to improve and progress. He definitely has a bright future ahead on the Senior level.
Is this Oliver's time?
It's difficult to believe that a wrestler as gifted as Jordan Oliver has never made a World or Olympic Team. But the two-time NCAA champion and Junior world medalist may be primed for a run at the 2020 Olympic Team. Oliver looked impressive in rolling past Junior world medalist Joey McKenna 10-0 in the 65-kilogram finals for the Senior Nationals. Oliver has beaten some of the best international guys in the world, but never at the right time. This may be his time to finally shine in men's freestyle.
No more kissing your sister
There is an old adage in sports that says a tie is like kissing your sister. That is why nearly every sport doesn't have ties -- nobody likes them. That's why most sports break ties with overtime where someone actually wins by outscoring their opponent. Wrestling is still allowing matches to end with the score tied, but then one wrestler wins on criteria. It's confusing, especially to fans who may be watching wrestling for the first time. International wrestling is confusing enough as it is. If the match is tied after regulation, wrestle an overtime and make someone actually win the match by scoring more points. Having someone score a dramatic takedown in OT is more exciting than seeing which score is underlined on the scoreboard of a tie match. If only it was that simple.
Daniel Miller after beating Lucas Sheridan in the Greco-Roman finals (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Great wrestling, not-so-great crowds
It's been an issue for many years at Senior-level wrestling events in the U.S. Very few fans show up for events where the caliber of wrestling is extremely high. These elite American athletes deserve better, but what is the solution? There was virtually nobody left in the stands when the Greco-Roman finals and half of the women's finals were held Saturday night in Fort Worth. I understand trying to grow the sport in places like Texas where wrestling isn't as popular, but put these events in places where people are going to actually show up and watch. You don't see the NCAA putting their big events in arenas filled with empty seats. These top wrestlers deserve to compete in places with more fans in the stands.
Craig Sesker has written about wrestling for more than three decades. He's covered three Olympic Games and is a two-time national wrestling writer of the year.
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