Des Moines Register's Chad Leistikow and Cody Goodwin look at the first session of the NCAA Wrestling Championships as Iowa starts off strong.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Well, that was quick. Not to mention impressive.
Iowa freshman Spencer Lee delivered a decisive and memorable debut at the NCAA Championships, winning his first bout by technical fall in 1 minute, 41 seconds.
More: Inside Iowa phenom wrestler Spencer Lee's endless chase for Olympic greatness
The third-seeded Hawkeye punished Chattanooga’s Alonzo Allen. He scored a quick takedown in the bout’s first 10 or so seconds, then delivered four four-point tilts to come away with an 18-0 victory. The match was halted by technical fall just 101 seconds in.
A technical fall is worth 1.5 team bonus points.
Perhaps just as notably, Lee’s knee was free of the bulky brace he has worn all season. Lee had been wearing it as a precaution following surgery a year ago to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. It's the first time the Murrysville, Pa., native has wrestled in college without a brace. It's a decision he said would be for the tournament's duration.
Now, Lee is onto the second round of the NCAA Championships. The most decorated Hawkeye recruit of the Tom Brands era is set to face Purdue’s Luke Welch in Thursday night’s round of 16.
Iowa led the NCAA team race with 18.5 points following Session I.
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