2024 World Olympic Qualifier

Spencer Lee Can Be Part Of A Long Iowa Wrestling Legacy

Spencer Lee Can Be Part Of A Long Iowa Wrestling Legacy

Spencer Lee could add his name to a long list of Hawkeye greats in the 57-kilogram weight class.

May 6, 2024 by Kyle Klingman
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Spencer Lee hasn’t made the 2024 Olympics yet, but he will join a distinguished club if he does. Lee won the Olympic Trials and will attempt to qualify for the 57-kilogram men’s freestyle class at the World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul, Turkey on May 11-12. 

The University of Iowa has made the 57-kilogram class its own since Terry McCann won a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Nine different Hawkeye wrestlers have made 25 World or Olympic Teams at the weight — or a comparable weight — including 13 medals. 

Iowa wrestlers had a memorable run in the 1980s and 1990s with Barry Davis, Brad Penrith, Joe Melchiore, and Terry Brands making 11 of 13 World/Olympic Teams from 1983 through 1995. 

Will Spencer Lee add his name to this distinguished list? Below is a complete breakdown. 

The University Of Iowa's 57-kg Legacy

YearEventWeightNameResult
1960Olympics57 kgTerry McCannGold
1983Worlds57 kgBarry DavisDNP
1984Olympics57 kgBarry DavisSilver
1986Worlds57 kgBarry DavisBronze
1987Worlds57 kgBarry DavisSilver
1988Olympics57 kgBarry DavisDNP
1989Worlds57 kgBrad PenrithDNP
1990Worlds57 kgJoe Melchiore7th
1991Worlds57 kgBrad PenrithSilver
1993Worlds57 kgTerry BrandsGold
1994Worlds57 kgTerry BrandsDNP
1995Worlds57 kgTerry BrandsGold
2000Olympics58 kgTerry BrandsBronze
2006Worlds60 kgMike ZadickSilver
2007Worlds60 kgMike Zadick27th
2008Olympics60 kgMike Zadick18th
2010Worlds60 kgMike Zadick25th
2014Worlds57 kgTony RamosDNP
2015Worlds57 kgTony RamosDNP
2016Olympics57 kgDan Dennis19th
2017Worlds57 kgThomas GilmanSilver
2018Worlds57 kgThomas Gilman5th
2020Olympics57 kgThomas GilmanBronze
2021Worlds57 kgThomas GilmanGold
2022Worlds57 kgThomas GilmanSilver