3x NCAA Champion Spencer Lee (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com)InterMat has learned that 3x NCAA champion Spencer Lee will not be available for the Iowa Hawkeyes for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. Lee, now famously, admitted after winning his most recent title that he had no ACL in either knee. In the near future he'll undergo surgery, which will sideline him for the rest of the year.
The Iowa staff announced in the preseason that they would use caution with Lee and he would be on a limited schedule. His only appearance of the year was at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals in late-December. There he wrestled in all three of the Hawkeyes duals and went 3-0. Though he was undefeated, Lee was clearly not in prime form. After teching Brock Bergelin (Central Michigan) in his first bout, Lee majored Jaret Lane (Lehigh) 8-0 and was held to a regular decision by Jakob Camacho (NC State).
In his absence, Iowa will most likely turn to true freshman Drake Ayala. MatScouts labeled Ayala as the #4 overall recruit in the Class of 2021 after winning three Iowa state titles and a pair of Junior National freestyle championships in Fargo. Ayala is off to a solid start while competing unattached, with a 7-1 record.. He is currently competing at the Southern Scuffle and is 2-0 with a 17-6 major decision over NCAA qualifier Reece Witcraft in his most recent bout.
Jesse Ybarra has started at 125 lbs in Lee's absence and is 5-1. He was beaten 8-2 by Iowa State's #23 Kysen Terukina in his most recent outing.
At this point, it's unclear whether or not Lee will appear in a Hawkeye singlet again. Having only competed in one date this year, Lee would likely receive a medical redshirt for the 2021-22 season. Looking at the long-term picture, he has to be focused on getting close to 100% for a run at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Seems the old, "ACL's are for @#$%*&%" are indeed for them when Glory, Arujallah, and especially Suriano come on the scene, eh, friends?
Sucks he won't get the chance to prove it once again.
Reminds me of that whipping boy in MMA who would land one punch early in his fights with Dillershaw, proceed to puff his chest out and mock Dillershaw, only to get shelled within seconds of the first round in each fight.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How cordial of you to wish me Happy New Year, Brands.
You ARE a basketball fan. You DON’T understand wrestling culture or what it takes to be considered an elite athlete in the wrestling realm. But it’s ok, we will let you ramble as you are known to do. I’ll assume your responses are simply attention seeking behavior. Anyone with small children get it.
As for Spencer Lee. Did you read his statement last night? Other than being a tremendous wrestler, he is a selfless teammate. He was willing to risk further injuries in order to help his team. Pretty simple. I hope the new Year softens your heart, opens your eyes and brings you understanding of what it takes to rise to Spencer’s level of love for our sport. As of now you stand alone.
Now, how about the old timer with young kids (LOL!) Resilite Marine and cancel culture advercate, conner 236, save us all the phony "outrage" and apply your anger where it should appropriately be placed? Take a gander at what this knothead said about a Sqwawker's mother and please proceed to tear this person apart. In conner's case, please advertate for cancel culture.
intermatwrestle.com/articles/25346
Perhaps Poke was going to operate under the same Brands tough guy approach and show them how only %^&*#!@ need ACL's, only to realize that now he has Glory, Suriano, and Arugula to deal with?
That's my fact that I present.
If you are going to quote people, make sure and get it right. Lee never said "ACL are for #$%#@" Thats all you spinning it to fit your whining.
Lee said "Excuses are for #^##$@". He of course means he didnt want to use his injury as an excuse. Thats a huge difference in the narrative you are trying to spin. Sad that someone had to spoonfeed you the actual quote AND then its meaning. No doubt you will find a way to spin that too. You sound like you are new to the sport. Im a bit embarrassed for you.
If you are going to quote people, make sure and get it right. Lee never said "ACL are for #$%#@" Thats all you spinning it to fit your whining.
Lee said "Excuses are for #^##$@". He of course means he didnt want to use his injury as an excuse. Thats a huge difference in the narrative you are trying to spin. Sad that someone had to spoonfeed you the actual quote AND then its meaning. No doubt you will find a way to spin that too. You sound like you are new to the sport. Im a bit embarrassed for you."
Gee, that's a HUGE difference! Thanks, Trump! What this REALLY means is that Pokeman didn't want to make an excuse for getting shelled by one of the big three!
Thanks! I done, did, got it now!
So, ah, how do you make sure AND get sumpin right, Trump?
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know the chances of you answering me are next to none, but I am genuinely curious as to what you are talking about. If nothing else, point me to a link where I can read about it.
Willie said “ mineo did ask me when he's having surgery and i told him that i heard it was friday. but that's it. i certainly didn't 'feed' him the story and hadn't spoken to him at all before he initially tweeted it.”
If you're not a friend of the Pokeman family, stop acting "offended," ok?
I repeat: I didn't say it. Pokeman said it. So, I'll ask you too (or, as you'd write "to"): Should I assume that Poke suddenly doesn't want to "make excuses" this season because of Glory, Arugallah, and, especially, Suriano? If not, then what DID change from last year?
If you want to use such a term, keep in mind, by defertition, that that would also include Sanderson, Dake, Stieber, all four timers.
Because Poke, to date, has actually won three titles, this also includes, Abas, Cox, Dieringer, Guererro, Jones, Nickal, Nolf, Retherford, Rosholt, Ruth, and Snyder.
See why I asked if it should come with drastic music as well. What Poke has done isn't THAT unheard of.
That status goes to the list ban basketball mentioned above: (no particular order) Cael Sanderson, Kyle Dake, Logan Stieber, Dan Hodge, Dan Gable, Jordan Burroughs, Pat Smith.
His ACL situation was his own choosing. He didn't have to compete in NCAAs, but he did.
I'm sure there are many athletes who don't even reveal in interviews they have injuries, that's the even bigger flex.
But I just read where he is considering coming back to NCAA wrestling for the 2023 season. I do not support him in that. The college chapter of your career is over. Move on to bigger and better things.
I can understand him wanting to be a four-timer, and nor will there be an Olympics in that year.
It would gnaw at me as well, if I knew that I had the potential to win another one and opted to not do, just for the sake of training for the Olympics. I
I keep saying Olympics, as that's the ultimate goal for intl. rasslers.