Spencer Lee advances to 2023 Big Ten Wrestling Tournament finals

Iowa’s Spencer Lee kept his historic chase going with a 20-2 win over Minnesota’s Patrick McKee to advance to Sunday’s Big Ten Wrestling finals.

Lee previously won two Big Ten titles and three national titles. He’d be in rarified air with a fourth NCAA title but has a conference crown for the taking first.

Once again, the Hawkeye looked flawless after a quick tech fall earlier in the day.

Back to the Big Ten finals is Spencer Lee. He defeats Minnesota's Patrick McKee by tech fall at 125 pounds.

Lee is in search of his third Big Ten title.

📸: @rossbchek pic.twitter.com/CRtuFSJ0MT

— IAwrestle (@IAwrestle) March 5, 2023

Lee used a bevy of takedowns and tilts to rack up his points against McKee, a former All-American, Saturday night. He also nearly had a pin on two separate occasions.

Each time Lee had McKee on his back, the overwhelming Iowa fan sections were deafening throughout the arena.

Lee will take on Nebraska’s Liam Cronin in the finals Sunday. Despite Cronin’s accolades, Lee is the heavy favorite for the 125-pound crown.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the On3 YouTube channel today for all of the latest news on college football, recruiting, NIL, more! 

The 109th Big Ten Wrestling Championships were held from March 4-5, 2023, at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., with the University of Michigan playing host to the event for the first time since 2010. All 14 conference schools participated in the championships, which began Saturday, March 4, with the first-round, quarterfinal, semifinal and wrestleback matches taking place during Sessions I and II. 

Action continues Sunday, March 5, with consolation semifinals and seventh-place matches getting underway during Session III and the first-, third- and fifth-place matches highlighting Session IV.