Spencer Lee made the 2024 Olympic Team at 57 kg by winning the Olympic Team Trials on Saturday in State College, Pennsylvania. Check out the article below for a breakdown of his tournament.

Spencer Lee's Path The The Olympic Trials Finals

Lee started his tournament as the #4 seed in a deep 57 kg field that included Thomas Gilman, Daton Fix, Nick Suriano, Zane Richards, Nico Megaludis, and a slew of young contenders. Lee's first opponent was Megaludis - these two notably wrestled twice in the past 6 months with Lee winning both matches by decision. Lee again got by Megaludis with a dominant, 8-0 win to make the semi-finals. 

In the semi-finals, Lee wrestled 2023 World Team member Zane Richards who defeated Thomas Gilman last year to make the world team. In the match on Friday night, Lee got out to a 9-0 lead before Richards responded with a few takedowns. However, in the end, Lee came out on top 13-6 to make the finals opposite of Thomas Gilman.

Spencer Lee's Wins Over Thomas Gilman

The Olympic Trials finals is a best-of-three series - that means Spencer Lee had to defeat Thomas Gilman twice to make the Olympic team at 57 kg. In their first match, Lee got out to a 5-1 lead off a takedown and two turns. However, the turning point of the match came when Gilman lifted Lee and looked to score with a four-point, feet-to-back move. Somehow, Lee turned down and Gilman was only awarded two points. Gilman's corner challenged but lost, giving Lee a 6-3 lead. That's how the match would end with Lee winning 6-3 in round 1.

Their second match played out similarly with a low-scoring first period. Lee struck first with a shot clock point and a step out but Gilman responded with two step out points of his own to take the lead on criteria. Then, Lee forced double underhooks and attacked a single leg to finish a takedown. Lee transitioned right to a trap arm gut wrench and ultimately pinned Gilman to seal the deal in match 2. 

Spencer Lee Isn't Qualified For The Olympics Yet

Despite making the Olympic team, Team USA isn't qualified at 57 kg for the Olympics so Lee isn't guaranteed to wrestle at the Paris Olympics. Only 16 wrestlers are eligible to participate in the Olympics at each weight and qualify their country by finishing in the top 5 at the previous year's World Championships or top 2 at the continental qualifier. Zane Richards, USA's 57 kg rep last year, failed to place at 2023 Worlds and also failed to make the Pan-Am Qualifier finals leaving Team USA unqualified at 57 kg. 

In order to qualify for the Olympics, Spencer Lee will need to place in the top 3 at the World Olympic Qualifier on May 12 in Istanbul, Turkiye. This is the final Olympic qualifier and if Lee does not place in the top 3, he will not compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The field will be highly competitive with several past world medalists competing for a spot at the Olympics. However, with how Lee wrestled this weekend, he will be one of the favorites in the 57 kg field in Turkiye.