Photo by Lady of the Lens
Iowa wrestling recruit Spencer Lee of Murraysville, PA continues to add to his legacy as he captured a third straight World title. Lee defeated Khurshid Parpiev of Kyrgyzstan in the finals 11-9 to win the UWW Junior World Freestyle title at 50 kg (110 lbs.) Lee fell behind early 4-0 off of a counter throw by Parpiev at 1:20 of the first period. Lee was the aggressor the entire match and kept attacking but still found himself down 8-3 in the second period.. Lee was behind the entire match until he scored a takedown and then exposure points with just :07 left in the match. Lee won a Cadet World title in 2014 and won the Junior World title last year, all at 50 kg.
Lee was dominate in his first four matches that he won by a fall in :27 (that should have been called sooner) and by Technical Fall, all in the first period.
Seeing a wrestler stick to their gameplan against a defensive wrestler to win it at the end by attacking. That is what Iowa Wrestling fans love the most.
Spencer Lee has made a great case to be known as the greatest high school wrestler in the history of the United States as well as the biggest recruit in the history of Iowa Wrestling.
My only concern about Spencer Lee was his size. Not a concern at all now. I do not believe we will see Spencer Lee at 50 kg again. He was pulling some weight. I can see Spencer Lee being a physical force at 125 lbs. in college. You also have to love the grit and composure that Lee just showed by coming from behind against a defensive wrestler and winning at the end of the match. That is the heart of a champion.
Spencer Lee is the leading recruit for the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2017 in what could be a great if not epic recruiting class. Lee is a member of the Young Guns Wrestling Club that is ran by former Iowa Hawkeye All American Jody Strittmatter.
Congratulations Spencer Lee for winning your third straight World title!
50 kg/110 lbs. – Spencer Lee, Murraysville, Pa. (Young Guns)
WIN Engin Cetin (Turkey), 11-0
WIN Valentin Damour (France), Fall 0:27
WIN Razvan Kovacs (Romania), 12-0
WIN Aliabbas Rzazade (Azerbaijan), 12-0
WIN Khurshid Parpiev (Kyrgyzstan) 11-9
