Pennsylvania’s Spencer Lee was reminded of Nick Suriano everyday for a year

CLEVELAND – For an entire year Spencer Lee thought about Nick Suriano every time he entered his room. After throwing his Super 32 second place medal in the trash, Spencer hung it on the back of his bedroom door, to be reminded every day of what needed to be done. 

It was October 2012, when eighth grade wrestler Spencer Lee from Saegertown, PA advanced into the Super 32 finals at 106 pounds. He would end up losing to a freshman by the name of Nick Suriano, giving up a late takedown to fall 4-3.

After listening to the second place medal slam on the back of his door, every time he opened it, Spencer finally took it down a year later when he avenged the defeat in the 2013 Super 32 finals. In that match Spencer, who had yet to compete in a high school match, earned a hard fought 3-1 decision competing at 113 pounds.

Fast forward five years and these two will meet again –  but on an elevated mat where the winner will be crowned National Champion. Although Spencer has two age level Word Championships, this will be a different animal altogether.

In the semifinal Spencer had nothing but respect for Nathan Tomasello. “To be able to wrestle him on that big of a stage is almost an honor for me. But to do that with that many fans screaming and yelling, whether it’s against you or for you, it still excites you and it’s a lot of fun” an elated Lee stated.

On the other side Nick Suriano knows what he’s up against.

“We’re wrestling a competitor, world champ, all the accolades. It’s another match. I really believe I’m the best and we’re going to scrap tomorrow. I beat him my freshman year of high school. He beat me the next year. We trained a little bit in the summer at a camp. He was in my weight in Midlands. I know about him.”