Wrestler Spencer Lee wins twice, advances to Olympic semifinals

By: Paul Schofield
Thursday, August 8, 2024 | 7:34 AM

Spencer Lee began his journey in the 2024 Olympics with a pair of victories Thursday in Paris.

The Franklin Regional graduate defeated China’s Wanhao Zou, 3-2, in the Men’s Freestyle 57 kg Round of 16. It was a rematch from the Olympic Qualifier a month ago in Turkey when Lee rallied from a 6-1 deficit for a 10-9 win.

This time he never trailed. Forcing the action in the first period, the University of Iowa grad got a two-point takedown and a bonus point to build a 3-0 lead.

Lee did a good job fending off Zou’s late push to earn the win and advance to the quarterfinals.

Then, 40 minutes later he easily defeated Bekzat Almaz Uulu of Kyrgyzstan, 12-2.

Wrestling fans in Pittsburgh had to tune in early to see Lee wrestle on Peacock. His first match started at 5:50 a.m. His quarterfinal round match was near 7:30 a.m.

He’ll next face Azerbaijan’s Aliabbus Rzazae in the semifinals, which are slated for 12:45 p.m. Thursday.

The finals are slated for 12:15 p.m. Friday.

Other wrestlers with Pennsylvania ties also competed early.

Also at 57kg were Lehigh’s Darian Cruz, representing Puerto Rico, and former Penn State wrestler Roman Bravo-Young, representing Mexico.

Cruz pinned Egypt’s Gamal Mohamed, then dropped a 12-2 decision to Japan’s Rei Higuchi in the quarterfinals. Bravo-Young fell 13-3 to Armenia’s Arsen Harutyunyan.

Penn State’s Aaron Brooks opened with a victory in 86kg. He defeated Kazakhstan’s Azamat Daulertbekov, 4-3. In the quarterfinals, Brooks defeated Japan’s Hayato Ishiguro, 11-1.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional