Showdown in Wrestletown: Spencer Lee faces Masanosuke Ono as main event of premier wrestling showcase

CORALVILLE – Spencer Lee recalled his first exposure to Masanosuke Ono.

He was on a trip to Japan a couple months after his college career concluded. Despite recovering from injury and wanting little to do with wrestling at the time, he attended a practice at one of the universities. Lee tried to wrestle a past World champion, who insisted Ono was better.

“He kept saying that and point to Ono,” said Lee, who had taken two months off from training. “At the time, nobody knows who Ono is, right? I ended up wrestling with him for a little bit. It was like a three-minute go. I remember going, ‘That guy was really good.’

“Then, I saw him in the (World Championships) bracket with Vito (Arujau) and everyone and was like they better be ready to go. That guy’s legit.”

Since then, Lee earned a silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and Ono has made a name for himself, winning the U20 and Senior World titles last year. The two will battle as the main event for FloWrestling Night in America Wednesday night at Xtream Arena. The card will begin with high school matches at 6:30 with the main card expected to start about 7.

“I always wanted an opportunity to wrestle him in a real match,” said Lee, of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club. “They kept trying to get to wrestle him in a real match and I was like I’m not going to do that (at the time). I’m good.

“There’s a chance to wrestle, so now we get to wrestle for everybody to watch.”

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The event is a showcase of some of wrestling’s best competitors, including former Arizona State national champion Zahid Valencia, who faces North Carolina State star Trent Hidlay; Iowa State two-time NCAA champion David Carr against Olympic silver medalist Daichi Takatani; and HWC’s Austin DeSanto versus Seth Gross.

“He's always been a high-level competitor with his eye on the highest level,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said about Lee. “And now we have an opportunity to watch him in Coralville and a billed match. It's like a boxing championship of the world bout. It's one match for the bragging rights. And it's what needs to happen more in wrestling. And you know what? It's happening right here in Wrestletown USA.”

Lee won an international tournament in France a month ago. It was his first competition since the Olympics. He said he has a similar schedule as he did last year. This was an opportunity to maintain that schedule.

“Plus, I’m the one that wanted this match just because he’s hyped right now,” Lee said. “He just dominated everybody. As a competitor, I want to wrestle the best guys in the world and he’s a weight above me. I thought it would be awesome for fans to watch. Hopefully, someone can go out and give them a match.”

Lee said he knew Ono was in America, training at Penn State. This was a perfect opportunity to wrestle one of the world’s best and highlight the sport. It was also financially beneficial for athletes, who don’t have the same opportunities in other countries to support themselves through sport alone.

Some of Lee’s favorite matches were Tom and Terry Brands against international foes. There have been similar events that tried to elevate wrestling but FloWrestling provides a greater platform.

“I’m all for growing the sport and wrestling anyone,” Lee said. “If they want to put on a show, I’m ready for it.”

Lee was a three-time World age-level champion before he arrived at Iowa, earning five All-American honors, three national titles, two Hodge Trophies and the AAU James E. Sullivan Award. He has been more geared toward freestyle and it has his undivided attention.

“His approach toward international wrestling hasn't changed,” Brands said. “It's become the focus. Now, the focus. Before it was one of the focuses. Didn't wrestle a lot internationally because of his history when he was in college, et cetera.

“And, if you fast forward to where he is now, I think he will tell you that he prefers international wrestling. And I think he would tell you that he prefers international wrestling over collegiate, even when he was a collegiate wrestler.”

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Former Iowa State All-American Marcus Coleman will wrestle Jay Aiello. West Branch’s Ethan Humphrey, who placed third at 106 pounds of the Class 1A state tournament last week, will wrestle Cruzer Dominguez.

The wresting event will be livestreamed at FloWrestling.

High School Matches

(Match order, first to last)

Cruzer Dominguez vs Eithan Humphrey

Abdi Unle vs Jake Knight

Riley Johnson vs Lincoln Jipp

Main Card

(Match order, first to last)

Nathan Tomasello vs Daniel DeShazer

Marcus Coleman vs Jay Aiello

Xochitl Mota-Pettis vs Melanie Nahomi

Amanda Martinez vs Zeltzin Hernandez

Nate Jackson vs Kennedy Monday

Austin DeSanto vs Seth Gross

Bryce Andonian vs Austin Gomez

Zahid Valencia vs Trent Hidlay

David Carr vs Daichi Takatani

Spencer Lee vs Masanosuke Ono

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com