Despite Losing to Zain Retherford, Penn State’s Nick Lee Proved Invaluable to Paris Olympics Victory

Zain Retherford, a standout in Penn State Wrestling history, faced a monumental challenge on Sunday, 12th May, winning four matches to secure a spot in the 2024 Olympics. And he did just that. Retherford’s path to victory was formidable yet clear. He dominated his opponents, defeating Alibeg Alibegov of Bahrain and Abdulmazhid Kudiev of Tajikistan, then overcoming Sujeet Kalkal of India. Throughout this arduous day, Retherford had the support of his friend and fellow wrestler, Nick Lee.

Lee, an American freestyle and former folkstyle wrestler, stood by Retherford, offering encouragement and assistance on his journey to Paris. Their partnership exemplifies the essence of camaraderie and teamwork in the world of wrestling, which was shown by the user on X. Even though Retherford defeated Nick Lee in trials earlier. But Nick remained a steadfast presence, demonstrating the true spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity.

However, at 28, Zain Retherford faced a challenging journey to the Olympics, a path he hadn’t initially intended to pursue. After winning a world freestyle title at 70 kg in 2023, he was faced with the tough decision of dropping to 65 kg to compete in the Olympics. Around the same time, he accepted a position with ABR Dynamic Funds, a New York investment firm, and confided in his coaches at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club (NLWC) that he was considering ending his wrestling career.

However, the NLWC staff worked closely with Retherford to create a tailored training and weight management plan that reassured him and fueled his determination for an Olympic run. His efforts culminated at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in State College, where he clinched the 65 kg weight class by defeating his NLWC teammate, Nick Lee, in the finals.

Lee’s support continued as he joined Retherford in Istanbul to assist as a training partner for the last-chance Olympic qualifier. The pressure was intense in Istanbul, as the U.S. had not yet secured a spot in the 65 kg freestyle weight class for the Olympics. Retherford’s performance there was crucial, and he successfully clinched his place. However, his journey to reach this far started with a pumpkin farm.

Zain Retherford’s journey from pumpkin farm to Olympic aspirations

Zain Retherford’s journey to greatness has its roots in his family’s pumpkin farm in Pennsylvania. From this humble beginning, he embarked on a remarkable wrestling career, shining brightly during his time at Penn State University. There, he captured the hearts of fans with three NCAA national championships and back-to-back wins of the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy in 2017 and 2018.

Recognized as one of the most outstanding Penn State Nittany Lions wrestlers in history, Retherford boasts an astounding 95-3 win record. His prowess transcends collegiate wrestling, as evidenced by his international success, including gold and silver medals at the World Championships and a triumph as a Pan-American champion. Retherford’s legacy is firmly established, marked by his numerous NCAA Division I National Championships and his repeated accolades, making him a true icon of the sport. His journey to the Paris Olympics, where he will compete on the world stage, marks a significant milestone in his career. It will undoubtedly be exciting to see how he performs in Paris, given his remarkable path to qualification.