With Nick Lee Securing Pan Am Qualifiers Berth, NLWC Dominates Wrestling Olympic Trials With 4 Top Seeds

In January, the surfaced report flaunted many wrestlers qualifying to participate in the US Olympic wrestling trial. Several world team members cut into that lineup for the inflicted rules. However, that wasn’t a disappointing factor. At that point, the authority named several upcoming championships that would provide another chance for the wrestlers to earn the trial qualification. As of now, the ongoing Pan American Championship has the stature to give that prized recognition to the wrestlers.

That’s where Penn State NLWC phenoms have concentrated these days. In a recent update, one NLWC member has earned his Olympic qualification. Eventually, the wrestler holds top seeding in his weight class in the USA. 

Nick Lee’s triumph over Yianni Diakomihalis opens the door 

In the 2021 Olympic team trials, Nick Lee had captured the third position. In his second Olympic journey, the NLWC member is targeting the same bull’s eye. But before stepping into that, the 26-year-old wrestler made his big move toward the target by earning a trial ticket. As reported by FloWrestling, on February 3, Nick Lee defeated Yianni Diakomihalis in the Pan American Qualifier wrestling. The victory came dramatically. Nick won the first face-off against Yianni, whereas, in the return game, Yianni forfeited for medical reasons. However, for the NLWC talent, it was enough to keep him floating on the Olympic route. 

With his inclusion, Penn State NLWC now can boast of having 4 wrestlers in the Olympic trial out of 6 weight classes. Kyle Snyder is already there in the 97 kg-weight category. In the 74 kg category, the 2023 Senior World silver medalist Kyle Dake cut previously. However, NLWC’s best chance in the Olympics, David Taylor, earned his qualification beforehand, for being the champion in the 2023 Senior World. Now these wrestlers are waiting for the Olympic trial in April. But for Nick Lee, a prized chance is on his way to qualify directly for the Olympics. 

Several faces are on the same road

Nick Lee’s upcoming battle will take place in Acapulco, Mexico. The 2023 US Open champion will land there to participate in the Pan American Olympic Games qualifier. But if he reaches the final there, then that will open the Olympic door directly for him. There won’t be any need to appear in the Olympic trial in April then. However, there are still several NLWC mates who are on the brink of earning the Olympic trial ticket. 

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The first name will be Carter Starocci. The 3x NCAA champion is again looking for another NCAA title on that note to earn the qualification standard. Greg Kerkvliet is another phenomenon. The 3x All-American is also looking for an NCAA final participation in his weight class for the same earnings. But again, the NLWC camp is still way ahead of other programs in owning the trial qualifiers in the squad. 

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