Iowa recruit Spencer Lee falls in PA finals. First ever HS loss. Watch here. Link:

[James Toney]

Couple of thoughts.

-Do wrestlers always shake opponents coaches hand after match is over?
-I am blown away people actually think that the crowd was against and cheering against Lee because he is going to Iowa. The crowd was going nuts to see the underdog actually beat the "greatest" wrestler in PA history. I have been watching fights for well over 30 years, and crowds always goes nuts when an underdog wins.
-I thought Lee should have been hit with stalling at least once.
-Lee's counter TD in the 2nd period was beautiful.
-I was shocked Lee did not take top to start the 3rd period! I believe he would have had a good chance to ride Austin the whole period.
-Watched the match a few more times and just can not get over how amazing it was!

 

[dropster45]

One of the factors which makes some standout HS wrestlers struggle in college is the additional wear & tear on the body, day in and day out. D1 college rooms are rough and it's oftentimes unlike anything they have seen before. I mean, can you imagine walking into the PSU room as a freshman 150lber and fighting for your life every day against Zain and Nolf? Rhetorical question, but not if you are a brand new recruit. Anyhow, I hope Mr. Lee heals up as quickly as possible and wish him all the best. Wrestling is indeed a tough sport!

 

[ptomaselli]

Thanks for correction, didn't know there was 2 Exeters . I only knew the one up in coal crakin country.

There's also a Hanover in D3. And kids from Exeter in D2 typically would go to Wyoming Area HS. One of PSU's top OL recruits in the 2016 recruiting class, Michal Menet is also from Exeter Twp HS in D3.

 

[PSUBluebird]

Wait until Lee has to deal with Suriano's pace and strength.

 

[Stargellfan]

Hats off to DeSanto... however... the clock seems to have been at 0:00 for almost a full second before the ref awarded the 2. The actual takedown should have been awarded earlier, before the roll through (at least by college standards... DeSanto had control and Lee had his hand on the mat), but it looks like the ref didnt decide on the score until after the roll, when time had expired. So... the right kid won, but the ref was tardy on the call.

Not true! Watched it on TV and on the replay you could see the clock in the background and there was one second remaining on the clock when Desanto had full control.

 

[James P. Whitters III]

What a match. Lee moved fine early, but gassed completely out as the match went on. Being off the mat due to the knee showed up more in the lungs than the knee. DeSanto is a goer! Tough way to end a career for Spencer Lee, but he has much bigger fish to fry in his long term goals. I will be interested to watch DeSanto vs Fix as they seem similar in style and size.

 

[SRATH]

Gotta give Desanto credit. Dropped to 126 to go after Lee, the guy who teched him in the second period. Let Lee up with less than 30 to go........man on a mission.

 

[PA Power]

I haven't read back through this whole thread so someone may have mentioned it already, but I assume the news of Lee's injury will mean that the highly anticipated Daton Fix matchup at Dapper Dan won't happen. Huge bummer there.

 

[dunkej01]

whole match
http://www.flowrestling.org/article...encer-lee-2017-piaa-state-finals#.WMU68jsrLgM

 

[Cowbell Man]

What a battle. You can certainly see how the new rules in college for going out of the circle has had a positive impact for us. We sorta forget how easily the edge was used as part of a defense.

I'm glad for wrestling to have match like that last night. Just brings in the more casual watcher.

 

[dunkej01]

What a battle. You can certainly see how the new rules in college for going out of the circle has had a positive impact for us. We sorta forget how easily the edge was used as part of a defense.

I'm glad for wrestling to have match like that last night. Just brings in the more casual watcher.

yeah even the casual fan understands that match and feels the excitement of the moment.

 

[Callthestall]

Wasn't able to attend last night's finals for District 11 but watched on TV.In this forum,we can always discuss the normal wrestling topics,best wrestler,best district, bad refs and so on. Last night in the AAA 195 bout something special happened. Carlo Perugini from Liberty overcame many obstacles to win the title. At birth he was borned hearing impaired. He did not wrestle his sophomore and junior years because he tore both of his ACLs. Playing football this fall he tears ACL again. He decides he wants to try to wrestle but his coach Jody Karam warns him he probably would be a backup. Wrestling with a brace from his ankle to his thigh the "backup" won the title. As the final whistle blew, you could see Coach Karam joy with tears coming down his face. Sometimes in sports, the story of what an athlete does to overcome obstacles is lost. Last night it was not lost for Coach Karam and many of the fans.

Just to confirm wrestlers can wrestle with damaged ACL. I post this 2 week's ago. I do think it would affect the lighter weights because of the lack of flexibility and the ability to maintain quickness. I just watched the replay. Without a doubt Lee's problem in the 3rd period was he ran out of gas and his opponent had the pedal to the floor.

 

[dunkej01]

 

[Pennstate1985]

View embedded media

wrong clock. If you watch the entire match on flo, you can see that the real clock is behind the scorers table. When they finished the sequence and DeSanto was fully in control, the clock then hit zero. It was that close. Probably 0.2 seconds left or something like that.

 

[dunkej01]

http://highschoolsports.pennlive.co...with-win-over-franklin-regionals-spencer-lee/

 

[Cowbell Man]

I've said it before. I will say it again and hopefully again after the 184lb final.

You don't have to beat a guy or a team ten times. You only have to beat them once.

Whatever happened before in the TF, and whatever happens if those two wrestle again is irrelevant. Last night, a kid on a mission went home with the hardware. Wicked cool.

 

[pawrestlersintn]

wrong clock. If you watch the entire match on flo, you can see that the real clock is behind the scorers table. When they finished the sequence and DeSanto was fully in control, the clock then hit zero. It was that close. Probably 0.2 seconds left or something like that.

So, it's just a wild coincidence that the wrong clock has the correct score prior to the 2 being awarded to Desanto? I'm not saying the call was wrong, but that is almost certainly the right clock.

 

[jrd23psu]

Hate to say it but Fix will at the minimum major him....Bet the house....

You probably don't have a house to wager considering you probably bet the house that Lee would major beat DeSanto when DeSanto said he was going to 126.

You're the least credible person on this board and your word is totally worthless. I wish you'd spend more time doing literally anything other than posting here.

 

[Flying_Tiger]

DeSanto quote:

"I'm excited but at the same time I wrestled a hurt Spencer Lee," DeSanto said. "You could see his knee, he was favoring it the whole time. I just kind of feel bad for him. But at the same time, I'm excited for myself. I worked every day after that tech fall to beat him and I got my dream, I guess."

I know he's committed to Drexel, but I'd love to have this guy at Penn State. Maybe a fit at 133 in the future? I'm guessing there's a bunch of coaches at some real good programs thinking the same thing.

 

[jrd23psu]

Why was Lee sitting on the mat, not returning to the center. It did not look like there was an injury clock running or any trainer help for him - just sitting there, then finally returning to center...What am I missing here?

Lee is an absolute phenom. Despite losing he still might be the best high school wrestler of all time. I don't know, but you could make the argument.

What you saw though was a kid that had never been in that situation. If you look at his face after the second DeSanto TD he has a dear in the headlights look. He's tired and the momentum is not on his side, which is a totally foreign thing to him. Nobody in PA has ever given him a challenge. You saw a tired and stunned Spencer Lee, and you may never see that again. He was late getting back to the center because he was was tired and stunned.

 

[caliPSUfan]

DeSanto quote:

"I'm excited but at the same time I wrestled a hurt Spencer Lee," DeSanto said. "You could see his knee, he was favoring it the whole time. I just kind of feel bad for him. But at the same time, I'm excited for myself. I worked every day after that tech fall to beat him and I got my dream, I guess."

I know he's committed to Drexel, but I'd love to have this guy at Penn State. Maybe a fit at 133 in the future? I'm guessing there's a bunch of coaches at some real good programs thinking the same thing.

Very classy quote from Desanto! Respect for his opponent, acknowledgement of the situation in full, but also allowed himself to enjoy the accomplishment that he worked so hard to achieve!

 

[royboy]

What an impressive performance by DeSanto. He was certainly the aggressor throughout.

 

[Real-Lion]

DeSanto quote:

"I'm excited but at the same time I wrestled a hurt Spencer Lee," DeSanto said. "You could see his knee, he was favoring it the whole time. I just kind of feel bad for him. But at the same time, I'm excited for myself. I worked every day after that tech fall to beat him and I got my dream, I guess."

I know he's committed to Drexel, but I'd love to have this guy at Penn State. Maybe a fit at 133 in the future? I'm guessing there's a bunch of coaches at some real good programs thinking the same thing.

Flying just think about what your saying. First props to this kid.....Now Spencer with 2 legs and able to train the last month would tech him again or at a minimum major him. Now i am no Spencer fan anymore but we will have someone 3 times better then DeSanto....You will see when he wrestles Fix....

 

[James P. Whitters III]

Flying just think about what your saying. First props to this kid.....Now Spencer with 2 legs and able to train the last month would tech him again or at a minimum major him. Now i am no Spencer fan anymore but we will have someone 3 times better then DeSanto....You will see when he wrestles Fix....

If my aunt had a package she would be my uncle. Is this what you mean?

 

[MVPFAN]

Partial tear, not complete tear, but yes, you are correct. The good news for Iowa is no surgery, and good to go by next season.

Leaving those partial tears always seem to end up in a full tear later, He as the time, get it fixed .

 

[KidNittany]

DeSanto quote:

"I'm excited but at the same time I wrestled a hurt Spencer Lee," DeSanto said. "You could see his knee, he was favoring it the whole time. I just kind of feel bad for him. But at the same time, I'm excited for myself. I worked every day after that tech fall to beat him and I got my dream, I guess."

I know he's committed to Drexel, but I'd love to have this guy at Penn State. Maybe a fit at 133 in the future? I'm guessing there's a bunch of coaches at some real good programs thinking the same thing.

He's got the killer attitude for sure. Massive props to him and he shouldn't feel slighted about his accomplishments in any way. You wrestle who is in front of you.

I hope Spencer gets better soon, the kid is awesome and I'm sure he's hurting in a couple of ways today. But the guy is a world champion and there's way too much wrestling to happen to let this loss sting for too long.

Wrestling is built on moments and this was a massive one. Probably the biggest upset in PIAA History. Maybe high school history. Unfortunately, injuries are part of the sport.

 

[MVPFAN]

In that case, he is questionable for next season unless he can rehab in 10 months, by next January.

He is redshirting next year anyway so not a big deal to miss.

 

[royboy]

He's got the killer attitude for sure. Massive props to him and he shouldn't feel slighted about his accomplishments in any way. You wrestle who is in front of you.

I hope Spencer gets better soon, the kid is awesome and I'm sure he's hurting in a couple of ways today. But the guy is a world champion and there's way too much wrestling to happen to let this loss sting for too long.

Wrestling is built on moments and this was a massive one. Probably the biggest upset in PIAA History. Maybe high school history. Unfortunately, injuries are part of the sport.

Spencer has had a major shoulder injury and now a major knee injury, before getting to college. Want to see him at his best in college and beyond, but those injuries may portend future issues.

 

[dropster45]

I almost hate to say it since Lee is not going to be wrestling for us, but this is the type of event that can really motivate someone to reach another level.
Hopefully Spencer cowers away from the loss, lives a life of Cheeto eating solace whilst playing Xbox 17 hours a day and dropping out of school - That's the best case scenario for us

 

[Flying_Tiger]

Flying just think about what your saying. First props to this kid.....Now Spencer with 2 legs and able to train the last month would tech him again or at a minimum major him. Now i am no Spencer fan anymore but we will have someone 3 times better then DeSanto....You will see when he wrestles Fix....

You are too hung up on last years result at 120. DeSanto was bigger and better this year and I highly doubt a healthy Lee would won by TF. Keep in mind he only won by decision at Ironman this season with two legs.

 

[AldenT]

You are too hung up on last years result at 120. DeSanto was bigger and better this year and I highly doubt a healthy Lee would won by TF. Keep in mind he only won by decision at Ironman this season with two legs.

Spyker officially on ignore. Goodnight sweet prince.

 

[Ian]

Lee is a phenom! But he can't win all the time. He'll take his bumps in college, too. He needs to get healthy and has things to work on but he better expect some close matches in college. It's a grind. HS wrestling is more like a workout for the superstuds. Now it's time to elevate. I love the kid and great wrestlers, in general, and hope he does.

 

[tabenn]

with Lee having shoulder surgery last year, and now a torn ACL--I have to wonder how healthy of a college career will Lee have.

 

[Ian]

My concern, as well.. its highly unusual for such a talented kid to have two major injuries in HS. Is it his style?

 

[El-Jefe]

You are too hung up on last years result at 120. DeSanto was bigger and better this year and I highly doubt a healthy Lee would won by TF. Keep in mind he only won by decision at Ironman this season with two legs.

The other reason Lee likely wouldn't have won by TF is because DeSanto prepared for him this time.

Last year before the match he said he wasn't going to study Lee because (I'm paraphrasing) he has to adjust to me.

There was no way he was making that mistake again this year.

 

[backdrft76]

What's the average recovery like for a guy with an ACL? Do they normally come back the same as before the injury?

 

[tabenn]

My concern, as well.. its highly unusual for such a talented kid to have two major injuries in HS. Is it his style?

I think that there is an argument..that a kid that has been competing for as long as Lee has, in such a physical sport.with such a physical style..his body just my be wearing out.....it happens..
for the haters--this is no disrespect to Lee or his abilities..

 

[El-Jefe]

What's the average recovery like for a guy with an ACL? Do they normally come back the same as before the injury?

Michael Mauti blew out one knee, then the other, and then the first again (though that last one was a cheap shot by the Indiana player). He's having a decent NFL career and knock on wood hasn't had it happen again in a few years.

 

[dropster45]

Michael Mauti blew out one knee, then the other, and then the first again (though that last one was a cheap shot by the Indiana player). He's having a decent NFL career and knock on wood hasn't had it happen again in a few years.

If it's a full tear, it takes about 6 months, but then regaining to top wrestling form, probably nine. There's also the psychological component, which some do not handle well. This basically amounts to deeply remembering the event that took the world as you knew it away from you(psychological trauma). And with that comes a strong drive, often subconscious, to avoid those situations. So with that you can occasionally end up with an athlete who is tentative, not confident, and therefore can never return to their previous form. Sorry, that sounded pretty doom and gloomy, but it does happen some of the time. And yes, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night

 

[johnstownsteel]

Flying just think about what your saying. First props to this kid.....Now Spencer with 2 legs and able to train the last month would tech him again or at a minimum major him. Now i am no Spencer fan anymore but we will have someone 3 times better then DeSanto....You will see when he wrestles Fix....

Do you think when you say things it just goes away and no one remembers? You told us Suriano was going to beat Gilman. You told us Jimmy was going to beat Heil. You told us Vincenzo was going to beat IMar. You told us Hall was going to beat Bo Jordan.You told us Bo Nickal would beat Martin. You may have even said Nick was going to beat Medberry at Bigs. Having said that, why should I or anyone else here listen to your opinion on the way a match is going to shake out. I mean Christ man, I'm still looking all over State College for that Gold Medal you promised Frank was going to bring home. Will you help me look for it?