Nick Lee quietly looking like his own version of Zain

[GogglesPaizano]

Is it me or isn't it apparent Nick has jumped another level this year?

He has always been super talented, but early on a bit lose and reckless losing critical points at critical times (see the McKenna dual match 2 years ago).

He is confident, fast, has a very diverse arsenal, he is wrestling clean, tightening things up notably and he is clearly more defined and strong this year. He is starting to sport some pretty nice guns.

At a glance he physically resembles Zain more and more, and he is really starting to punish guys from top. Sure he hasn't hit much top competition yet, that said the way he worked Eiremen in free back in December was super impressive, in fact that whole tourney was incredible for him.

Pletcher has had a bit of a makeover as well. Gone is the low scoring 1-2 decision boring guy, to a bonus machine. He is a senior on a mission.

Their upcoming matches should be really fun, but this version of Nick has me believing he can be a National Champ this year. Go Nick, we are loving every minute of it!

 

[82bordeaux]

I believed Lee was a championship threat as soon as Yianni went ORS. I think he is absolute top tier at 141right now.

 

[amattaro]

I believed Lee was a championship threat as soon as Yianni went ORS. I think he is absolute top tier at 141right now.

He was a threat last year even with Yianni. McKenna was a gnat’s ass from beating Yianni and Lee was right there with McKenna.

 

[82bordeaux]

He was a threat last year even with Yianni. McKenna was a gnat’s ass from beating Yianni and Lee was right there with McKenna.

I guess I didn't use the correct verbiage in my prior post. He certainly was a championship threat last year and would be this year if Yianni was wrestling. What I should have said is, without Yianni, Lee is the favorite to win in my opinion. I think he has the most complete game in the weight class. Even though he would be a championship threat this year with Yianni active, until proven different Yianni would be the clear favorite. I think Nick Lee stands on top of the podium this year. He is probably my favorite guy on the team.

 

[jbkeller72]

Cautiously optimistic here. Lee hasn't wrestled any AA-caliber guy yet this year (in folkstyle). Tough to say that he's jumped levels without a real measuring stick sans a great performance in Fort Worth

 

[nerfstate]

Fort Worth is enough of a measuring stick to me. Doesn’t mean he’s figured Demas out yet, but maybe he has. Pletcher is definitely the wildcard.

 

[Mat Burn]

I am not convinced that his defense is strong enough to slow down the top guys. Time will tell.

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

I am not convinced that his defense is strong enough to slow down the top guys. Time will tell.

I dont think there is anyone at 141 (this year) that brings it any harder than Eireman and/or Tank.

 

[jbkeller72]

Fort Worth is enough of a measuring stick to me. Doesn’t mean he’s figured Demas out yet, but maybe he has. Pletcher is definitely the wildcard.

Fair enough. I'd like to see him against Pletcher, Demas, Woods-types for a folkstyle measuring stick, even Moran, but the Eierman/ Frank drubbings were pretty convincing so I see where you're coming from

 

[WreslingFan0314]

Fair enough. I'd like to see him against Pletcher, Demas, Woods-types for a folkstyle measuring stick, even Moran, but the Eierman/ Frank drubbings were pretty convincing so I see where you're coming from

He beat Woods last year at the Scuffle. Nick is the type that learns from defeats and comes back strong (Storr, McKee before college, Moran last year, for example). I think he would handle Demas a second time.

The two that most worry me for him at Yianni and Eierman. Though the FS win over Eierman was big. Pletcher is definitely a wild card. Fortunately McKenna is gone. They say in boxing styles make fights. McKenna was a tough style for Nick. Yianni too. Eierman has been. And don't count out Chad Red. When Red is on, he is as good as it gets. Lee would definitely bring the motivation to the forefront for him. The others, I just look at as learning losses.

 

[Cali_Nittany]

He beat Woods last year at the Scuffle. Nick is the type that learns from defeats and comes back strong (Storr, McKee before college, Moran last year, for example). I think he would handle Demas a second time.

The two that most worry me for him at Yianni and Eierman. Though the FS win over Eierman was big. Pletcher is definitely a wild card. Fortunately McKenna is gone. They say in boxing styles make fights. McKenna was a tough style for Nick. Yianni too. Eierman has been. And don't count out Chad Red. When Red is on, he is as good as it gets. Lee would definitely bring the motivation to the forefront for him. The others, I just look at as learning losses.

God help us all if Red is as good as it gets. Red has a long history with Lee. That combined with Red's complete unwillingness to take an offensive shot against Lee will continue to make those matches close. He's not at the same level as Lee but he does deserve big props for being a 2-time AA.

 

[jbkeller72]

He beat Woods last year at the Scuffle.

I recall. A 1 point win over a true freshman, I believe. I'd just like to see him wrestle someone of note in folkstyle this year before believing that he has jumped levels. I gotta admit though, I don't really know what jumping levels means. No doubt Nick Lee is better this year. But if he was neck and neck with McKenna last year, who was neck and neck with Yianni, where does Nick slot in this year after jumping levels?

 

[RoarLions1]

Nick has now been around the program for nearly four years, and is one of the elder statesman on a very young Penn State team overall. I can't explain it tangibly, but see it subtly in his actions and words -- he has learned from the extremely successful guys before him, and is doing everything right (sleeping, eating, practicing, academics, and more). Young man is focused, and any wrestling success can be attributed to his preparation. Take care of all the little things, and results take care of themselves. Given the chance, I recommend talking with him, you'll walk away really impressed.

 

[nerfstate]

I recall. A 1 point win over a true freshman, I believe. I'd just like to see him wrestle someone of note in folkstyle this year before believing that he has jumped levels. I gotta admit though, I don't really know what jumping levels means. No doubt Nick Lee is better this year. But if he was neck and neck with McKenna last year, who was neck and neck with Yianni, where does Nick slot in this year after jumping levels?

Mostly, what Roar said. He's had holes in his game before--through focus and determination, it seems like some of those have decreased, some maybe are even strengths now. Doesn't necessarily mean he's ready to TF Yianni and Zain and win Olympic Gold--but who knows?

 

[footestomper]

Is it me or isn't it apparent Nick has jumped another level this year?

He has always been super talented, but early on a bit lose and reckless losing critical points at critical times (see the McKenna dual match 2 years ago).

He is confident, fast, has a very diverse arsenal, he is wrestling clean, tightening things up notably and he is clearly more defined and strong this year. He is starting to sport some pretty nice guns.

At a glance he physically resembles Zain more and more, and he is really starting to punish guys from top. Sure he hasn't hit much top competition yet, that said the way he worked Eiremen in free back in December was super impressive, in fact that whole tourney was incredible for him.

Pletcher has had a bit of a makeover as well. Gone is the low scoring 1-2 decision boring guy, to a bonus machine. He is a senior on a mission.

Their upcoming matches should be really fun, but this version of Nick has me believing he can be a National Champ this year. Go Nick, we are loving every minute of it!

Nick Lee has always had a good gas tank, but this year it seems like it's filled with premium. He has no quit. Regardless of the score, Nick is pressing the action. And, the variety of attacks he shows puts him certainly on my favorites list!

 

[Cali_Nittany]

I recall. A 1 point win over a true freshman, I believe. I'd just like to see him wrestle someone of note in folkstyle this year before believing that he has jumped levels. I gotta admit though, I don't really know what jumping levels means. No doubt Nick Lee is better this year. But if he was neck and neck with McKenna last year, who was neck and neck with Yianni, where does Nick slot in this year after jumping levels?

You're not recalling very well (I've been there). Lee won 6-3 vs Woods. Woods wrestled tough but the match never looked in doubt.

 

[WreslingFan0314]

God help us all if Red is as good as it gets. Red has a long history with Lee. That combined with Red's complete unwillingness to take an offensive shot against Lee will continue to make those matches close. He's not at the same level as Lee but he does deserve big props for being a 2-time AA.

Chad has a ton of talent and can be an upper echelon wrestler. My personal opinion is that he doesn't love wrestling as much as he did and has let other things distract him from being as good as he can be. I 100% agree that Nick is on another level. Just knowing their history up fairly close and being from Indiana, wondering if someone like Nick could propel Chad to put it all together again. He's shown he can step up when it matters (two AA's), but how high can he get? Maybe it's unfounded, but I've followed both since Chad was a freshman in HS and Nick was in 8th grade. So in the back of my mind, the thought of Chad being motivated enough to put it together and beat Nick is still there.

Go back and watch his Who's #1 match against Pletcher as an example of how difficult it can be to beat him.

 

[RoarLions1]

God help us all if Red is as good as it gets. Red has a long history with Lee. That combined with Red's complete unwillingness to take an offensive shot against Lee will continue to make those matches close. He's not at the same level as Lee but he does deserve big props for being a 2-time AA.

History yes, but it's ancient -- some in high school -- with not much in their two years in college. Missed each other at B1G's and NCAA's, so Lee has a lone 5-4 decision win January 2019 in a dual, when Red was fighting for the winning takedown at the end. No idea how close it will be this year, surely Lee will be favored by more than the 1-point he won by last year. First takedown will be big in their meeting next weekend.

 

[jbkeller72]

You're not recalling very well (I've been there). Lee won 6-3 vs Woods. Woods wrestled tough but the match never looked in doubt.

I stand corrected and should've consulted my google machine before posting. In any event, Nick Lee is excellent and I hope he brings home a ship this year. He gets Red, Murin, McKee, Moran and Pletcher in the next month - that run should be telling

 

[District four]

He beat Woods last year at the Scuffle. Nick is the type that learns from defeats and comes back strong (Storr, McKee before college, Moran last year, for example). I think he would handle Demas a second time.

The two that most worry me for him at Yianni and Eierman. Though the FS win over Eierman was big. Pletcher is definitely a wild card. Fortunately McKenna is gone. They say in boxing styles make fights. McKenna was a tough style for Nick. Yianni too. Eierman has been. And don't count out Chad Red. When Red is on, he is as good as it gets. Lee would definitely bring the motivation to the forefront for him. The others, I just look at as learning losses.

Would like to see the Chad red murin bout. Think we get a better look at who were getting this year with red. He is tough and beat Lee in high school

 

[Cali_Nittany]

History yes, but it's ancient -- some in high school -- with not much in their two years in college. Missed each other at B1G's and NCAA's, so Lee has a lone 5-4 decision win January 2019 in a dual, when Red was fighting for the winning takedown at the end. No idea how close it will be this year, surely Lee will be favored by more than the 1-point he won by last year. First takedown will be big in their meeting next weekend.

Red looked really good against Murin. He brought his offense.

 

[RoarLions1]

Red looked really good against Murin. He brought his offense.

Next Friday, at Nebraska. Embrace the moment in a hostile environment. Lee will learn something about himself in that bout.

 

[BFosr1]

Lee and Pletcher will be epic. What a treat for us wrestling fans to hopefully see a trilogy of the 2 this season.