High School Success
Spencer Lee’s wrestling career began to flourish at Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pennsylvania. He became a high school wrestling sensation, winning three Pennsylvania state titles and posting an overall record of 144-1. His only loss came in his senior year, when he was wrestling after coming back from an ACL tear. Despite the injury, he showed immense determination throughout his high school career.
Lee was also successful internationally in age-group competitions. He won three Cadet World Championships (2014, 2015) and a Junior World Championship in 2016, all in freestyle wrestling. His international experience gave him an edge in high school and laid the foundation for his future dominance in the sport.
University of Iowa Career
In 2017, Spencer Lee joined the wrestling program at the University of Iowa, one of the premier programs in NCAA Division I wrestling. He wrestled in the 125-pound weight class, where he quickly became a standout performer.
2018: Freshman Year
In his freshman season, Lee made an immediate impact, winning the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship at 125 pounds. Despite being seeded 3rd, he defeated the top seed, Nick Suriano, in the finals. Lee’s aggressive style and elite mat wrestling ability quickly made him a fan favorite. He finished the season with a 22-2 record.
2019: Sophomore Year
Lee continued his dominance during his sophomore year, winning his second consecutive NCAA title at 125 pounds. His sophomore season was marked by even greater improvement in his technique and mat wrestling. By this point, he was not only an NCAA star but also a key member of the Iowa wrestling team, which has a storied tradition of excellence.
2020: Junior Year
Lee was on track to complete another stellar season in 2020. He was dominant throughout the year, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA Championships were canceled. Despite not having the chance to win another title, Lee was awarded the Dan Hodge Trophy (wrestling’s equivalent to the Heisman Trophy) for his overall performance that season. He also went 18-0 in matches that season, with a staggering 17 bonus-point wins, including 4 technical falls and 11 pins.
2021: Senior Year
In 2021, Lee secured his third NCAA title, defeating Brandon Courtney of Arizona State in the finals, despite wrestling with no ACLs in both knees. This was one of the most remarkable achievements in wrestling, as Lee managed to dominate his opponents throughout the NCAA tournament with significant injuries.
That same year, Lee won his second Dan Hodge Trophy, becoming only the second wrestler in history to win it twice (the other being Cael Sanderson). He finished the season undefeated, with a record of 12-0, and helped the University of Iowa win its first NCAA team title since 2010.
2022: Injury Recovery and Final Season (2023)
Lee planned to return for his final season in 2022, but he had to sit out due to complications from surgeries and rehabilitation related to his knee injuries. Despite the setbacks, Lee returned for his final collegiate season in 2023, where he aimed for his fourth NCAA title, which would have placed him among an elite group of wrestlers to achieve this feat. Unfortunately, in a shocking turn of events, Lee lost in the semifinals to Matt Ramos of Purdue in the 2023 NCAA Championships. This ended his bid for a fourth title, but he still secured 6th place and earned All-American honors.
International Wrestling Career
Spencer Lee has also been active on the international wrestling scene, competing in freestyle wrestling for Team USA. After his junior world titles, Lee continued to compete in the senior-level freestyle circuit. While his collegiate career often took precedence, Lee has been seen as a future contender for the Olympic team and other international competitions.
Career Highlights
- 3x NCAA Division I Champion (2018, 2019, 2021)
- 2x Dan Hodge Trophy Winner (2020, 2021)
- 3x Pennsylvania State High School Champion
- 3x Cadet World Champion (2014, 2015)
- Junior World Champion (2016)
- 2x Big Ten Champion (2020, 2021)
- 6x NCAA All-American
Style and Legacy
Spencer Lee is known for his relentless pace, technical proficiency, and dominance on top. His signature move, the tilt, became nearly unstoppable, and he scored countless bonus points for his team using this technique. His ability to control and pin opponents from top positions is one of the defining features of his wrestling style.