Pennsylvania wrestling club sending its first athlete to 2024 Olympics

EBENSBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — Young Guns Wrestling Club may be rooted in the heart of Central Pennsylvania but it’s well-known across the country for crafting champions.

The program has seen much success over the years, producing rising stars like Bishop McCort’s Bo Bassett and Jax Forrest, along with NCAA Champions like Penn State’s Jason Nolf and Vincenzo Joseph.

“It’s kind of crazy where it’s kind of grown over the years, but it’s been really special,” said Young Guns co-founder Jody Strittmatter.

This year, the club will send its first athlete to the Olympic Games in Spencer Lee. However, Lee’s storied career almost didn’t include a stop at Young Guns.

The then-Erie-based wrestler was looking to join a team for a dual tournament when his father Larry approached Strittmatter about a potential spot.

“I turned him down. I’m pretty dumb looking back at it,” Strittmatter joked. “We had a kid in our club that was training with us and (by staying loyal to him it) really turned his dad on to us. He’s like, ‘Wow, they are very loyal people, and they are going to take care of the kids who come to the wrestling club.'”

Shortly after, Spencer joined Young Guns, which helped propel him to win three world championships and three PIAA Championships at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville. Collegiately, he won three NCAA Championships at Iowa, which is also where Strittmatter wrapped up his career in the early 2000s.

What truly amazes Strittmatter, though, is Spencer’s attributes that go beyond his tech falls and take downs.

“He’s just such a special kid on the mat (and) off the mat,” Strittmatter said. “(He’s) just an amazing role model (and) someone you want your kids around.”

Strittmatter is heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games to support his formal pupil.

“I’ll be a cheerleader,” Strittmatter said with a smile. “I’m cheering him on, and if he wins, that’s fantastic.”

If Spencer walks away with a gold medal, it will have been due to some of the lessons he learned as a Young Guns wrestler.

“I would just want to take that medal off and put it on my coach’s neck or my parents’ neck and say this is for you guys,” Spencer said.

Young Guns Wrestling Club has Pennsylvania locations in Altoona, Ebensburg, Johnstown and Pittsburgh.