Spencer Lee withdraws from US Olympic Trials
By Tyler Devine
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Even Spencer Lee knows his limits.
Iowa’s three-time national champion 125-pounder announced on Twitter Friday that he is withdrawing from United States Olympic Team Trials, set to take place April 2-3 in Fort Worth, Texas, after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee prior to the NCAA Championships last weekend.
“I am confident we will create a path that allows for a stronger and healthy return to competition,” Lee said. “I cherish every opportunity I have to step on the mat with my brothers. We overcame adversity together and we won a national title together.”
Lee previously suffered a torn ACL in his other knee in high school.
Despite the injury, the Murrysville, Pennsylvania, native went 5-0 in the national tournament, outscoring his opponents 59-8 to help Iowa win its first team title since 2010.
Lee beat Arizona State’s Brandon Courtney 7-0 in the finals match to become Iowa’s seventh three-time champion.
Overall, Lee was 12-0 on the season and is on a 35-match win streak. During the streak, Lee has outscored his opponents 432-42.
Lee is a finalist for the Dan Hodge Trophy for the second consecutive season.
He won the award, given to the nation’s top wrestler, last year.