Wrestling Weekend That Was: Spencer Lee posts golden performance in return to France

Spencer Lee dominated field in return to France. Iowa men and women continue to throttle foes. UNI put a fork in the Sun Devils. Simpson women shine and more in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.

LEE CAPTURES GOLD IN FRANCE

Hawkeye Wrestling Club’s Spencer Lee returned to France and took the mat for the first time since his silver-medal performance in the 2024 Olympics. Lee was dominant, claiming the gold medal at 125.5 pounds (57 kilograms) in men’s freestyle Saturday at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France.

The three-time age-level World champion rolled through the field, posting a 5-0 record and winning each by technical superiority. Lee outscored his opponents, 50-0, and wrestled a total of 2 minutes, 47 seconds. His longest match last 38 seconds. Lee capped the performance with a 10-0 win over Switzerland’s Thomas Epp, transitioning from a takedown to four straight gut-wrench turns in 33 seconds. He owns a 15-1 international record in 2024 and 2025.

The championship comes a week after Lee helped announced his matchup against Masanosuke Ono (ranked No. 1 in the world at 61 kg/134.5 pounds) as a co-main event in a Flowrestling event Feb. 26 at Xtream Arena. In addition to the other co-main event between Aaron Brooks and Zahid Valencia, event organizers announced that former Iowa All-American Austin DeSanto will also be involved, wrestling Seth Gross. More matches are expected.

Iowa’s two-time Hodge Trophy winner, three-time NCAA champion, four-time All-American and AAU James E. Sullivan recipient has thrived in his full-time return to freestyle. The schedule is more forgiving than the college season. Lee has looked as strong and healthy as ever.

Lee was also one of five champions, joining Nahshon Garrett (61 kg), Kennedy Monday (79 kg), Chance Marstellar (86 kg) and Michael Macchiavello (92 kg) as gold medalists for USA Wrestling.

IOWA MEN START BIG TEN DUALS STRONG

The Hawkeye team continued their hot start in Big Ten Conference duals. Iowa handled No. 9 Illinois, 28-6, winning eight of 10 bouts Friday at home. The Hawkeyes have won 18 of 20 matches against Wisconsin and Illinois. The way they disposed of the Illini was impressive. Iowa allowed just 21 match points and only five offensive points. Even though Iowa Coach Tom Brands noted that more points need to be scored, but the Hawkeyes were extremely stingy. Illinois managed one takedown, one reversal and a riding time point. The lone takedown was the decisive move in a 4-3 win at 141 and the reversal and riding time came in the finale at heavyweight. Other than that, it was all Iowa again.

The schedule amps up even more with No. 4 Ohio State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. A trip to No. 1 Penn State looms the following week.

IOWA WOMEN EXTENDS STREAK

The Hawkeyes swept Augustana (Ill.) College and Grand Valley State Saturday at CHA. Iowa advantage over other programs is taken for granted by some but the numbers are staggering. The Hawkeyes improved to 15-0 this season, extending their win streak to 31 duals since the program started competing for the 2023-24 season. Iowa has beaten ranked teams and perennial powers in women’s college wrestling, capturing two NWCA National Duals titles. Iowa has five duals left before the national qualifier on Feb. 22. The Hawkeyes travel to Albany, N.Y., for Journeyman Duals on Saturday, facing No. 12 Lock Haven, No. 15 Sacred Heart, No. 19 Elmira and No. 6 Presbyterian (S.C.) College.

UNI COOLS OFF SUN DEVILS

University of Northern Iowa has climbed to No. 5 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association NCAA Division I dual rankings. The Panthers won seven matches to beat Arizona State, 33-10, Friday night in Tempe, Ariz. All but one of their victories came with bonus points. Colin Realbuto had a pin at 149. Ryder Downey (157), Jared Simma (174), NCAA champion Parker Keckeisen (184) and former West Delaware prep Wyatt Voelker at 197 all had falls. Former Lisbon four-time state champion Cael Happel opened the bonus-point barrage with a major decision at 141.

The dual was notable because it marked UNI’s second 11-0 start under Coach Doug Schwab. The Panthers are 9-0 and one of its best starts since going 14-0 in the 2013-14 season. Schwab, in his 15 th season as head coach, will become just the third to lead the Panthers in 200 duals, joining legendary leaders Chuck Patten (316) and Don Briggs (212). Schwab will take a 121-78 record into Friday’s Big 12 Conference showdown against No. 3 Oklahoma State at the McLeod Center, starting at 7 p.m.

SIMPSON WOMEN BOASTS 6 FINALISTS AT DUROE INVITE

Simpson had seven finalists and crowned three champions at Cornell’s Cliff Keen Mike Duroe Invitational on Saturday. Emaline Hicks (103), Annelise Obermark (145) and Morgan Miller (207) won titles for the Storm. Savannah Sistad (207), former East Buchanan prep Keeley Kehrli at 160, Ashley Cannon (124) and Jalynn Goodale (117) were second. Simpson is coached by former Iowa NCAA champion, World Junior champion and Iowa City High undefeated four-time state champion Jeff McGinness.

A-R-C HONORS TO CKMD INVITATIONAL CHAMPS

University of Dubuque’s Alex Hofrichter was named American Rivers Conference Female Athlete of the Week and Women’s Wrestler of the Week after winning the 160-pound title Saturday at Cornell’s Cliff Keen Mike Duroe Invitational. She went 5-0, opening with a technical fall and closing with three consecutive pins.

Wartburg’s Kyler Romero was named A-R-C Men’s Wrestler of the Week. He moved up a weight class and won the 149-pound title at Cornell. He went 5-0 with five bonus-point victories, including an 8-0 major decision over Cornell’s Landon Card in the final.

The host Rams received titles from Eli Sneed (133) and 197-pounder Treyten Steffen. Cornell teammates Jase Van Pelt and Jayson Stevens shared top honors at 125 with both reaching the finals and forfeiting.

Former Independence prep Matthew Doyle won the 184-pound title for Wartburg. He beat Augsburg’s Max Borton, 4-2, for the championship.

CALE NASH SETS CCA CAREER WINS MARK

Clear Creek Amana senior Cale Nash became the Clippers’ all-time wins leader Thursday at a dual against Marion. Nash, a three-time Class 3A state qualifier who was seventh at 120 last season, earned his 144 th career victory, pinning the Wolves Lucas Stearns in 1:54 at 132. He added four wins at Solon’s Ed Hadenfeldt Invitational, giving him 148 overall wins. Ninth-ranked had two pins and two technical falls Saturday.

CCA won the team title with 240.5 points, 25.5 over Lisbon. North Scott was third with 204. Nolan Howell (144) also won gold for the Clippers. Lisbon’s Jack Gogel (106), Wes Sadler at 120, Cade Happel (126) and 157-pounder Tiernan Boots all placed first. Solon upper-weight duo of Lucas Feuerbach (215) and heavyweight Grant Wilson won their brackets, helping the Spartans finish fourth in their home tournament.

THIS AND THAT

Linn-Mar’s Will Smith (120), Evan Pulis (132), Hud Turner (138), Barrett Mieras at 165 and 175-pounder Philip Jacobs won titles, helping the Lions to a third-place team finish at Ankeny’s Bob Sharp Invitational ... Iowa City West placed third at the Midwest Shootout hosted by Bettendorf. The Trojans had 10 placewinners, including nine that were fifth or better. Alexander Pierce (120) and 150-pounder Justin Avila won titles for West. ... West Delaware won the Perry Invitational, scoring 225.5 points and beating runner-up Sergeant Bluff-Luton by 36.5. Liam Weber (157) and 215-pounder Jeryn Funke claimed crowns for the Hawks. ... East Buchanan won its Marilyn Invitational Saturday, topping Vinton-Shellsburg by four points. Destiny Krum (135), Tayla Stiefel (145) and Miley Walz (155) won titles for the Buccaneers. Ellie Weets (120), Camden Erhardt (130) and Chloe Sanders (140) placed first for Vinton-Shellsburg.

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