Paris Olympics: Spencer Lee and Zain Retherford Didn’t Make US Wrestling Team? Last Hurdle For Penn State’s Rising Stars Yet to Come

Former Iowa Hawkeye celebrity Spencer Lee and Penn State’s Zain Retherford both won their respective weight classes at the US Wrestling Olympic Trials. However, that still doesn’t promise their place in the national team for the Paris Olympics. A pit stop in Istanbul might be able to change the scenario, once and for all.

Both Lee and Retherford breezed through the competition in the 57kg and the 64kg weight classes. Taking down some heavyweight opponents on their way to victory, fans were stunned to see Lee bouncing back from the knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines for months and even compelled him to opt out of last year’s US Open. But now, thanks to their renewed confidence, both the Iowa Hawkeye and the NLWC wrestler might be able to find their place in Team USA in May.

A recent post on X (previously Twitter) by Justin Basch highlights Lee and Retherford’s hopes for the Olympics can be materialized two months before the Games at the French capital. “Next up: we root for Spencer & Zain to qualify 57 and 65 at the Last Chance in Turkey on May 11th!“, reads the caption of the post. For context, the World Olympic Games Qualifier will take place in Istanbul, Turkey from 9-12 May, and Spencer and Zain will be able to receive their tickets to Paris should they finish the tournament third or better in their weight classes.

The US has not obtained the quota for both the 57kg and the 64kg weight classes. This little fact makes it imperative for Lee and Retherford to find their way to Istanbul if they wish to join the ranks of Kyle Dake and Helen Maroulis in Paris in hopes of bringing honor and glory to the nation. Along with these two weight classes, three other Greco-Roman slots are also to find their final candidates for the upcoming Olympic Games. Let’s now take a look at the two collegiate stars’ performances in the Olympic trials.

A smooth sail for both at the Bryce Jordan Center

Both the collegiate stars went all in with their attempts to rise above their opponents at the Olympic Trials. And it has been nothing short of an impressive voyage, to say the least.

In the quarterfinals, Lee took down Nico Megaludis of Penn State with an 8-0 decision win. In the semis, the Iowa icon met with the 2023 PanAm Games winner Zane Richards, where the former picked up another victory by decision (13-6). The final match of the 57kg weight class saw Lee locking horns with fellow Iowa produce Thomas Gilman, who was ousted by two back-to-back wins in Lee’s favor.

On the other hand, Retherford’s 2023 World Championship gold medal gave him a bye in the 65kg class, where he met with Nick Lee for the finals. Two wins in consecutive matches (2-1 and 5-0), bolstered Retherford’s claim to be on the national team. Now, fans will turn their gaze at Istanbul next month, to see which of these two ultimately is given the green flag to catch the flight to Paris in July.