Way to go Spencer!!

WhiteDog125

Senior
Dec 13, 2023
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Iowa Hawkeyes Wrestling GIF by University of Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics
 

VonEhwegen

Sophomore
Dec 19, 2025
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Man I hope SUPERMAN LEE can get a Olympic GOLD to go along with this. He has put EVERYTHING into this sport and I hope his body can hold up for a final run!!!
Don't know if Spencer will even wrestle Olympics. He stays at this pace; he won't be able to walk at 30. Wrestling with no ACL or other serious injuries he's going to start compensating and other things will start to go as well. Injuries always take the best ones, and it may be time to hang it up unfortunately.
 

Corby2

Heisman
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Don't know if Spencer will even wrestle Olympics. He stays at this pace; he won't be able to walk at 30. Wrestling with no ACL or other serious injuries he's going to start compensating and other things will start to go as well. Injuries always take the best ones, and it may be time to hang it up unfortunately.
In the next 13 months he will have his 2 out of 3 for the 2027 world team which he could delay until August which is 10 months from now . Then it's 2027 Worlds in September and the Olympic trials in December then a long break before the Olympics. Take a break now and rehab next competition is in 10 months
 

vhsalum

All-American
Nov 14, 2002
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In the next 13 months he will have his 2 out of 3 for the 2027 world team which he could delay until August which is 10 months from now . Then it's 2027 Worlds in September and the Olympic trials in December then a long break before the Olympics. Take a break now and rehab next competition is in 10 months
You saying no surgery?
 

Corby2

Heisman
Jul 14, 2025
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You saying no surgery?
At this point what do you gain? If Olympic trials were in June then maybe. But with them in December 13 months out if that's the goal you can't have surgery now. And to set yourself up for trials winning a world medal in Sept is a must. If you skip 2027 you only have 3 months after worlds to be ready for trials in December. If you can't go in August and then again in September how much better are you really gonna be in December 🤷
 

VonEhwegen

Sophomore
Dec 19, 2025
88
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At this point what do you gain? If Olympic trials were in June then maybe. But with them in December 13 months out if that's the goal you can't have surgery now. And to set yourself up for trials winning a world medal in Sept is a must. If you skip 2027 you only have 3 months after worlds to be ready for trials in December. If you can't go in August and then again in September how much better are you really gonna be in December 🤷
Will see, like i said next thing will be his hips and lower back due to no ACL and training
 
Jul 2, 2025
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At this point what do you gain? If Olympic trials were in June then maybe. But with them in December 13 months out if that's the goal you can't have surgery now. And to set yourself up for trials winning a world medal in Sept is a must. If you skip 2027 you only have 3 months after worlds to be ready for trials in December. If you can't go in August and then again in September how much better are you really gonna be in December 🤷
I just worry that the added instability in one acl free knee doesn't lead to a tear in the other knee or some other injury. Oly trials being in December really sucks. If they were at least in April I think surgery would make more sense.

If he really can delay his wrestle off to August (news to me, I thought they overhauled the selection procedure), could be not get surgery now, rehab hard for 8 months and then wrestle for 2 and be ready for the wrestle off? Sounds like a long shot
 

VonEhwegen

Sophomore
Dec 19, 2025
88
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I just worry that the added instability in one acl free knee doesn't lead to a tear in the other knee or some other injury. Oly trials being in December really sucks. If they were at least in April I think surgery would make more sense.

If he really can delay his wrestle off to August (news to me, I thought they overhauled the selection procedure), could be not get surgery now, rehab hard for 8 months and then wrestle for 2 and be ready for the wrestle off? Sounds like a long shot
You're correct, there's a reason he keeps tearing ACLs. Training with one ACL putting a lot more pressure on the other one. Hips will be next
 

Comment123

Junior
Feb 26, 2019
90
254
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At this point what do you gain? If Olympic trials were in June then maybe. But with them in December 13 months out if that's the goal you can't have surgery now. And to set yourself up for trials winning a world medal in Sept is a must. If you skip 2027 you only have 3 months after worlds to be ready for trials in December. If you can't go in August and then again in September how much better are you really gonna be in December 🤷
At first I was thinking no surgery as well, but now I'm not sure. Looking back at the last time he had just one knee done, think it was surgery at the end of March '17 and returned by Dec '17 (~8 1/2 months) which would be July of 2027 for this turn, and then peak form in March'18, so a little less than 12 months, which would be end of October 2027. The kicker is if recovery timeline is longer since it's a repeat tear.

The concern I can see with no surgery is if it limits his ability to condition/running, but I would think that recovery timeline with no surgery would be super quick (only a few more months?) given I'm sure he's gone through some of that process already in the last 3 months, though this weekend may set him back some.
 

sdvike

All-Conference
Feb 23, 2016
1,284
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I would be fine if he retired as a fan of him from day one. My opinion, at this point he is GOAT Hawkeye, not dissing all the great Hawks, but taking into account his battles. Im sure he would make a great coach if he wanted. Seen a picture of him and Bo together at Worlds and how much Bo liked any time he got to train with Spencer in the room.
 

Old_wrestling_fan2

All-Conference
Mar 2, 2009
698
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I was really glad to see that Spencer made it to the top of the podium at a Senior World Level event, super cool. I just about had a heart attack though during his semi-final. Yikes!!

I have so much respect for all of the top level wrestlers, they work SO HARD, for SO LONG only to then realize, OR not, their lifelong dream(s) in a matter of seconds. Wow.

Major congrats to Spencer, and also to all of his supporters...family, coaches, fellow athletes, etc, etc. What an amazing accomplishment.
 

Corby2

Heisman
Jul 14, 2025
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I just worry that the added instability in one acl free knee doesn't lead to a tear in the other knee or some other injury. Oly trials being in December really sucks. If they were at least in April I think surgery would make more sense.

If he really can delay his wrestle off to August (news to me, I thought they overhauled the selection procedure), could be not get surgery now, rehab hard for 8 months and then wrestle for 2 and be ready for the wrestle off? Sounds like a long shot
Woods just delayed his with Bassett. The guy sitting can delay until about 3 weeks out. Helen one year was less than that if I remember right.
 

ArtRadley

All-Conference
Apr 26, 2013
727
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My personal opinion would be no surgery, keep training and make a run at Gold in 2028.
I would rather go with possibly more surgeries later on and some pain, then living with "what if".

Not a doctor just my opinion.

I suspect that's what he will do. As a fan it's been tough to watch the years tick by without him reaching all of his goals - and almost entirely because of rotten luck. I still don't think he has ever looked better than he did in 2020; I believe COVID cost him his 4x NCAA championships and an Olympics gold. Combined with injuries, this Championship was delayed six excruciating years. If it's been tough for fans I can only imagine what it has been like for him.

So I bet he wants one more chance for Olympic gold. Coming up short would be crushing. But my guess he thinks giving up would be even worse.

Then he and Burroughs can go coach the Hawks.

[edit] Forgot to mention I agreed likely no surgery. I think he has to figure surgery does not seem to help, and it probably makes more sense to spend his time learning to wrestle without an ACL that to take the time off.
 
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sdvike

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Just hope he is able to relish this moment, celebrate the past and not worry about future for a bit. Then have some long conversations with family, doctors and coaches about competing. The man seems to have an unreal drive and also the intelligence to make critical decisions.
 

Corby2

Heisman
Jul 14, 2025
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Correct. And now that everyone knows it is torn, they would be looking to capitalize on it. Boils down to surgery and rehab or retiring, in my opinion.
He's wrestled without an ACL in the past . You can rehab and strengthen the quad and calf enough for him to have stability. He's already talked in the past about how the DR said his quads are so strong and they allow him to wrestle without an ACL.
 

Anon1751369530

Sophomore
Jul 1, 2025
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He's wrestled without an ACL in the past . You can rehab and strengthen the quad and calf enough for him to have stability. He's already talked in the past about how the DR said his quads are so strong and they allow him to wrestle without an ACL.
Medical advice isnt your thing. Do you know what the ACL is for? ACL stops the tipia (lower leg) from moving forward in relation to the femur. Hamstring not quads to try to aid in the lose of an acl and its not really a strength issue more a reaction issue as witnessed by Spencer knee buckling and him falling over after the quarterfinals.

If Spencer isnt training like he said he needs surgery. He also talked about the swelling and pain he had when he tried to wrestle/train at the start of the 2021-22 season and we dont know how his body is feeling after this lastest competition.
 

LIV4GOD

All-Conference
Oct 2, 2001
731
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He's wrestled without an ACL in the past . You can rehab and strengthen the quad and calf enough for him to have stability. He's already talked in the past about how the DR said his quads are so strong and they allow him to wrestle without an ACL.
It's the hamstring that is primarily responsible to keep the knee in joint concerning the ACL. I've torn mine. The same guy that fixed Viking RB Robert Smith's knees is the one who fixed mine. He stressed this greatly. The great RB Thurmon Thomas for the Bills had no ACL and kept it in place with incredible hamstrings.

I hope Spencer does get the surgery. Get it fixed right now and go for '28 gold in LA.

Some of the times he's torn them is from another wrestler doing something unorthodox to his knee. I remember at nationals it was when he was in a standup position and the guy riding him wrapped his leg around spencer and popped it. He mentioned it was a practice partner who did it this time. Obviously, he is highly prone to it, and something in his physiology also contributes.
 

Corby2

Heisman
Jul 14, 2025
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Medical advice isnt your thing. Do you know what the ACL is for? ACL stops the tipia (lower leg) from moving forward in relation to the femur. Hamstring not quads to try to aid in the lose of an acl and its not really a strength issue more a reaction issue as witnessed by Spencer knee buckling and him falling over after the quarterfinals.

If Spencer isnt training like he said he needs surgery. He also talked about the swelling and pain he had when he tried to wrestle/train at the start of the 2021-22 season and we dont know how his body is feeling after this lastest competition.
I actually tore mine in 1990 I'm well aware . Hey DR in the past were Spencer's ACL tears complete tears or partials? And DR what about this one ?
 
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Corby2

Heisman
Jul 14, 2025
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It's the hamstring that is primarily responsible to keep the knee in joint concerning the ACL. I've torn mine. The same guy that fixed Viking RB Robert Smith's knees is the one who fixed mine. He stressed this greatly. The great RB Thurmon Thomas for the Bills had no ACL and kept it in place with incredible hamstrings.

I hope Spencer does get the surgery. Get it fixed right now and go for '28 gold in LA.

Some of the times he's torn them is from another wrestler doing something unorthodox to his knee. I remember at nationals it was when he was in a standup position and the guy riding him wrapped his leg around spencer and popped it. He mentioned it was a practice partner who did it this time. Obviously, he is highly prone to it, and something in his physiology also contributes.
We all have opinions ours are just different. Taking 8-9 months off now puts you 16-20 weeks out from the Olympic trials my opinion is that's not enough time. He's gotta go thru the trials bracket and win then win 2 out of 3. You take 6 months off now and rehab and have 4 months to prepare for a 2 out of 3 in mid August
 

FF141

Junior
Mar 15, 2017
141
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We all have opinions ours are just different. Taking 8-9 months off now puts you 16-20 weeks out from the Olympic trials my opinion is that's not enough time. He's gotta go thru the trials bracket and win then win 2 out of 3. You take 6 months off now and rehab and have 4 months to prepare for a 2 out of 3 in mid August
This was my thought. None of the options are good but unless I’m misremembering his most dominant season was after he rehabbed and wrestled with one torn. His window is so short. I have no idea what’s best but is think rehabbing and being able to wrestle the next ten months is less risk than surgery I suppose it’s what he can tolerate mentally.
 
Sep 20, 2018
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You're correct, there's a reason he keeps tearing ACLs. Training with one ACL putting a lot more pressure on the other one. Hips will be next
The reason is poor genetics and that's it. That's all it is. He's one of the best most well-conditioned athletes in the entire world and here you are suggesting that he keeps doing something to warrant repeatitive tears? Come on, dude.
 
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Stick Kitty

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We all have opinions ours are just different. Taking 8-9 months off now puts you 16-20 weeks out from the Olympic trials my opinion is that's not enough time. He's gotta go thru the trials bracket and win then win 2 out of 3. You take 6 months off now and rehab and have 4 months to prepare for a 2 out of 3 in mid August

I'd get the surgery. Of course you would like more time but this is Spencer we are talking about. Also take into consideration the ability to rehab in the pool with the new strength trainer. That's not only good cardio but zero resistance and a bit of a game changer if this new guy is what we think he may be. I am sure they have some ideas to speed up the rehab while maintaining complete caution.
 
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HugoHugo

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Jan 25, 2024
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Very happy that Spencer brought home the gold for himself and the USA!

What keeps entering into my mind is why he would announce that he again tore his ACL? I can see no advantage to letting anyone know, let alone future competitors.
 
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