Spencer Richard Lee (born October 14, 1998) is an American freestyle and former folkstyle wrestler who competes at 57 kilograms.[1] In freestyle, he earned a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics, and is a two-time US National champion and three-time age-group world champion.[2][3]
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Spencer Richard Lee | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | October 14, 1998 Denver, Colorado, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home town | Murrysville, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 57 kg (126 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country |  United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Freestyle and Folkstyle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | Iowa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Hawkeye Wrestling Club Titan Mercury Wrestling Club Young Guns Wrestling Club | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Tom Brands Terry Brands | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympic finals |  (2024) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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In folkstyle, Lee won the James E. Sullivan Award and the Dan Hodge Trophy twice, as well as three NCAA Division I national championships out of the University of Iowa.[4] Lee was often considered one of the most dominant athletes in college athletics.[5][6]
Career
editBackground
editLee was born in Denver, Colorado, but grew up in Saegertown, Pennsylvania before moving to Murrysville, where he attended Franklin Regional High School.[7]
While in high school, Lee became a three-time PIAA state champion and recorded 144 wins before suffering his first and only loss in a dramatic upset while going for a fourth state title.[8] In the freestyle department, Lee became a two-time U20 World champion and a U17 World champion during his high school years.[9][10][11]
Before his senior year, Lee committed to wrestle at the University of Iowa.[12] A multiple-time national champion in different tournaments, Lee was the top-ranked wrestler in the country at the time of his commitment.[13]
College
edit2017–2018
editLee initially competed under a redshirt during his first year of collegiate wrestling, winning the UNI Open and placing sixth at the Midland Championships before having it pulled and competing as a true freshman instead.[14]
During regular season, Lee recorded wins over NCAA champions and All-Americans, before placing third at the Big Ten Championships.[15] At the NCAA championships, Lee had an outstanding run into the finals, where he defeated undefeated-in-the-season Nick Suriano to claim his first national championship.[16]
Lee was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and closed out the year with a 22–2 record.[17]
2018–2019
editAfter an action-packed regular season, where he notably placed second at the Midland Championships, Lee placed second at the Big Ten Championships and headed off to the NCAA tournament.[18] Lee captured his second-straight national crown after running through the bracket, defeating Jack Mueller in the finals and closing out the year 23–3.[19]
2019–2020
editOn December of 2019, Lee made his senior-level debut, becoming the US National champion in freestyle and qualifying for the US Olympic Team Trials with notable wins over eventual World champion Vito Arujau and NCAA champions Darian Cruz and Nathan Tomasello.[20]
During his third season in college, Lee compiled an 18–0 record, grabbed his first Big Ten Conference title and was a favorite heading into the NCAA championships.[21] However, the national tournament was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[22]
After the cut-short season, Lee was awarded the James E. Sullivan Award as the most outstanding athlete in the United States and the Dan Hodge Trophy as the best college wrestler in the country.[23][24] He was also named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Year after outscoring the opposition 234 to 18.[25]
The US Olympic Team Trials, where Lee was set to compete in, were delayed for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[26]
2020–2021
editBefore folkstyle season started, Lee pinned four-time All-American Zach Sanders at the HWC 1 in freestyle.[27]
Lee then pinned all of his opponents in the first period during regular season, grabbed his second Big Ten title and became a three-time NCAA champion, dominating everyone throughout the season.[28] Lee later revealed he had torn his left ACL eight days before the tournament to match a torn right ACL suffered in the 2019 NCAA finals.[29]
Lee was then named the Dan Hodge Trophy winner for the second straight time, along with Gable Steveson.[30] He was repeated as the Big Ten Wrestler of the Year.[31]
Lee was then set to compete at the US Olympic Team Trials in freestyle, however, he opted against participating due to his knee injuries.[32]
2021–2022
editSince the NCAA granted athletes an extra year of eligibility after the 2020 season was cut short, Lee was set to compete in his last year of collegiate wrestling.[33] However, he achieved a 3–0 record before being pulled out of the season due to requiring surgery on both knees after recurring injuries, using a medical redshirt.[34]
2022–2023
editLee started off his final year of folkstyle wrestling undefeated in dual action and claiming the Soldier Salute and Big Ten titles.[35][36] At the NCAA tournament, where he was looking for a fourth national title, Lee cruised to the semifinals, where he faced Matt Ramos, whom he had previously pinned at a dual meet.[37] After an electric match, Lee was defeated by Ramos in one of the biggest upsets in the sports' history, and proceeded to medical forfeit out of the tournament, placing sixth.[38]
Lee graduated with three NCAA Division I National titles and Big Ten Conference titles, and a record of 95–6.[38] After his college career was over, Lee switched his focus to freestyle.[39]
Freestyle
edit2023
editIn April, Lee wrestled in his first freestyle tournament since 2019, at the US Open National Championships. After three straight wins to reach the semis, where he was set to wrestle Nick Suriano, Lee forfeited out of the tournament due to his knee injuries, placing sixth.[40]
Lee then competed at the Bill Farrell Memorial in November.[41] He racked up dominant wins over the likes of Commonwealth Games medalist Muhammad Bilal and U20 World silver medalist Luke Lilledahl to make the finals, where he defeated NCAA and US Open champion Nico Megaludis to claim gold and qualify for the 2024 US Olympic Trials.[42]
Despite having already qualified for the US Olympic Trials, Lee competed at the US Senior Nationals on December, where he once again defeated Megaludis and picked up a gold medal to extend his win-streak.[43]
2024
editTo start off February, Lee competed internationally for the first time since 2016, grabbing a Pan American title with quick victories over 2020 Olympian Óscar Tigreros and multiple-time Pan American medalist Pedro Mejías.[44][45]
In April, Lee competed at the US Olympic Team Trials, defeating NCAA champion Nico Megaludis for a third time and reigning US World Team Member Zane Richards to advance to the best-of-three finals, where he faced World champion and former teammate Thomas Gilman.[46] He defeated Gilman twice in a row to become the US Olympic Team Member at 57 kilograms.[47]
Lee then competed at the World Qualification Tournament, in an attempt to qualify the weight for the United States and earn the right to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics.[48] After a quick win over Morocco, Lee defeated U23 World medalist Zou Wanhao from China in a tight, high-scoring match to advance in the tournament.[49] Then, he defeated European champion Vladimir Egorov from North Macedonia in a battle of continental champions, to make the semifinals, where he reigned over two-time Asian medalist Rakhat Kalzhan from Kazakhstan. This result made Lee a 2024 Summer Olympian.[50]
In August, Lee made his Olympic debut at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.[51] On the first day, he earned a rematch win over Zou Wanhao from China, as well as two technical falls over two-time U23 World medalist Bekzat Almaz Uulu from Kyrgyzstan and two-time Olympian Gulomjon Abdullaev from Uzbekistan, advancing to the finals and securing a medal.[52] On the next day, he contested the gold-medal match against Olympic silver medalist and World champion Rei Higuchi from Japan, losing in a tight bout and earning the silver medal after his first defeat on the senior level.[53]
Back on the mat before the end of the year, Lee is expected to compete at the Kunayev D.A. in Kazakhstan in December.[54]
Personal life
editLee's mother, Cathy, was an Olympic alternate judoka and a native of France, and his father, Larry, also practiced the sport.[55] Lee is a Pokémon enthusiast.[56]
Freestyle record
edit
NCAA record
edit
Stats
editReferences
edit- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "'Excuses are for wusses': Iowa's Spencer Lee wins his third consecutive national title on torn ACL". Hawk Central. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ McKown, Eli. "Spencer Lee earns Olympic wrestling silver medal, the second Iowa wrestler to do so". Hawk Central. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Wrestling: Iowa's Spencer Lee wins Senior Nationals, qualifies for 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials". Hawk Central. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ "Spencer Lee - Wrestling". University of Iowa Athletics. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Most dominant male college athlete in the country? Iowa wrestler Spencer Lee has a strong case". Hawk Central. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ "Spencer Lee Named NCAA's Most Dominant Wrestler". Go Iowa Awesome. March 24, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ "hawkeyesports wrestling club". hawkeyesports.com. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ "Three-time Pa. state champ Spencer Lee suffers first loss in final match". USA TODAY High School Sports. March 12, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Spencer Lee Wins Cadet World Freestyle Championship". PA Power Wrestling. July 19, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ "World Champion Spencer Lee Dominates Junior World Championships". PA Power Wrestling. August 15, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ "Spencer Lee the Comeback Kid Wins Third World Championship". PA Power Wrestling. September 3, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ "How Terry Brands recruited Spencer Lee to the Iowa Hawkeye wrestling program". Hawk Central. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ RossWB (April 20, 2016). "Iowa Wrestling Lands Commitments From Spencer Lee and Gavin Teasdale". Black Heart Gold Pants. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Hawkeye wrestling: Inside the decision to pull Spencer Lee's redshirt". Hawk Central. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Leistikow, Chad Leistikow and Chad. "The most impressive part of Spencer Lee's title run? He kept getting better". Hawk Central. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Spencer Lee Wins NCAA Championship". University of Iowa Athletics. March 18, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Spencer Lee Named B1G Freshman of the Year". Hawkeye Heaven. March 6, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Big Ten wrestling 2019: Final team scores, championship results". www.thegazette.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Iowa's Spencer Lee repeats as national champion, defeating Virgina's Jack Mueller, 5-0". Hawk Central. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Spencer Lee Wins Senior National Championship, Qualifies For Olympic Trials". Go Iowa Awesome. December 23, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "NCAA Wrestling Championships canceled". InterMat. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "NCAA cancels Division I, II, III wrestling championships amid COVID-19 pandemic". Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ^ "Spencer Lee Wins Dan Hodge Trophy". University of Iowa Athletics. March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ^ Pilcher, K. J. "Iowa's Spencer Lee wins AAU James E. Sullivan Award". The Gazette. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ^ "Injury Knocks Spencer Lee Out of Olympic Trials". HawkeyeNation. March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "USA Wrestling announces that 2020 Olympic Trials are postponed". Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Wrestling: At HWC's Showdown Open, Jaydin Eierman adds signature win ahead of Iowa career". Des Moines Register. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "Spencer Lee Wins NCAA Championship, Hawkeyes Capture Team Title". University of Iowa Athletics. March 20, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "'Excuses are for wusses': Iowa's Spencer Lee wins his third consecutive national title on torn ACL". Hawk Central. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ HawkeyeSports.com (March 29, 2021). "Spencer Lee Repeats as Hodge Trophy Winner". HawkeyeNation. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ^ "Iowa Claims Big Ten Wrestling Title". Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Iowa wrestler Spencer Lee won't compete at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team Trials due to ACL injuries". Hawk Central. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ Slackman, Samuel. "NCAA grants extra year of eligibility to winter sport student-athletes". The Daily Targum. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Iowa wrestler Spencer Lee, a three-time NCAA champ, will miss the remainder of the 2021-22 season". Hawk Central. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
- ^ "Spencer Lee nabs sixth career Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors". Hawkeyes Wire. January 25, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Kosko, Nick (March 5, 2023). "Spencer Lee wins third Big Ten title, sets up for history at NCAAs". On3. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ "Iowa wrestler denied 4th straight title in stunner". ESPN.com. March 18, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ a b "Iowa's Spencer Lee medically forfeits out of NCAAs, ending college career | Trib HSSN". March 18, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ "No More Registration Speculation: Spencer Lee Is On List For The U.S. Open - FloWrestling". www.flowrestling.org. April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ "Spencer Lee withdraws from U.S. Open shortly after reaching semifinals". www.thegazette.com. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ "Spencer Lee Registered For 2023 Bill Farrell - FloWrestling". www.flowrestling.org. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ "Former Iowa wrestler Spencer Lee qualifies for Olympic Trials". Hawk Central. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Roering, Kenna. "Six Hawkeyes place in top five at Senior Nationals, earn berth to 2024 Olympic Trials". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Maitra, Shayni (February 24, 2024). "Pan American Championship: Spencer Lee Reigns His Dominance With a Quick Tech Fall for Gold". EssentiallySports. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Pan American Wrestling Championships Results Book" (PDF). United World Wrestling. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 28, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "Spencer Lee, Jason Nolf advance to Olympic wrestling trial finals | Trib HSSN". April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ "SESSION III: Spencer Lee wins battle of former Hawkeye lightweights to win 57 kg at U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling". www.themat.com. April 20, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ "Spencer Lee wins at US Olympic Team Trials, one step from qualifying for Olympic Games". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ "Match notes: Lee wins semifinals at World Olympic Games Qualifier, Retherford pulled into repechage". www.themat.com. May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ McKown, Eli. "Iowa wrestling icon Spencer Lee qualifies for 2024 Paris Olympics". Hawk Central. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ Dochterman, Scott. "American wrestler Spencer Lee defeated in gold medal final". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ McKown, Eli. "Former Iowa Hawkeye wrestler Spencer Lee reaches gold medal match at 2024 Paris Olympics". Hawk Central. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Dochterman, Scott. "American wrestler Spencer Lee defeated in gold medal final". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Olympic medalist Lee headlines U.S. lineup for Kunayev D.A. International in Kazakhstan". www.themat.com. December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ ""Do You Want to Fight?" -Larry Lee - HWC". hawkeyewrestlingclub.com. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ Leistikow, Chad Leistikow and Chad. "Iowa's Spencer Lee talks Pokémon obsession, outstanding-wrestler controversy". Hawk Central. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ Wrestlestat.com. "Spencer Lee". WrestleStat. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
External links
edit- Spencer Richard Lee at United World Wrestling
- Spencer Lee at the International Wrestling Database
- Spencer Richard Lee at Olympics.com
- Spencer Richard Lee at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics
- Spencer Lee at USA Wrestling
- Spencer Lee at Team USA
