Career
Background
Lee was born in Denver, Colorado, but grew up in Saegertown, Pennsylvania before moving to Murrysville, where he attended Franklin Regional High School.[1]
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.[7] In the freestyle department, Lee became a two-time U20 World champion and a U17 World champion during his high school years.[8][9][10]
Before his senior year, Lee committed to wrestle at the University of Iowa.[11] A multiple-time national champion in different tournaments, Lee was the top-ranked wrestler in the country at the time of his commitment.[12]
College
2017–2018
Lee 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.[13]
During regular season, Lee recorded wins over NCAA champions and All-Americans, before placing third at the Big Ten Championships.[14] 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.[15]
Lee was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and closed out the year with a 22–2 record.[16]
2018–2019
After 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.[17] 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.[18]
2019–2020
On 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.[19]
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.[20] However, the national tournament was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[21]
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.[22][23] He was also named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Year after outscoring the opposition 234 to 18.[24]
The US Olympic Team Trials, where Lee was set to compete in, were delayed for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25]
2020–2021
Before folkstyle season started, Lee pinned four-time All-American Zach Sanders at the HWC 1 in freestyle.[26]
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.[27] 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.[28]
Lee was then named the Dan Hodge Trophy winner for the second straight time, along with Gable Steveson.[29] He was repeated as the Big Ten Wrestler of the Year.[30]
Lee was then set to compete at the US Olympic Team Trials in freestyle, however, he opted against participating due to his knee injuries.[31]
2021–2022
Since 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.[32] 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.[33]
2022–2023
Lee started off his final year of folkstyle wrestling undefeated in dual action and claiming the Soldier Salute and Big Ten titles.[34][35] 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.[36] 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.[37]
Lee graduated with three NCAA Division I National titles and Big Ten Conference titles, and a record of 95–6.[37] After his college career was over, Lee switched his focus to freestyle.[38]
Freestyle
2023
In 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.[39]
Lee then competed at the Bill Farrell Memorial in November.[40] 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.[41]
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.[42]
2024
To 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.[43][44]
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.[45] He defeated Gilman twice in a row to become the US Olympic Team Member at 57 kilograms.[46]
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.[47] 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.[48] 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.[49] This result made Lee a 2024 Summer Olympian, event where he will compete later in the year.[50]
Freestyle record
Senior Freestyle Matches
Res.
Record
Opponent
Score
Date
Event
Location
2024 World Olympic Qualification Tournament at
57 kg
Win
27–0
Rakhat Kalzhan
TF 10–0
May 11, 2024
2024 World Olympic Qualification Tournament
Istanbul, Turkey
Win
26–0
Vladimir Egorov
TF 12–2
Win
25–0
Zou Wanhao
10–9
Win
24–0
Ben Hachem Tarik
TF 10–0
2024 US Olympic Team Trials at
57 kg
Win
23–0
Thomas Gilman
Fall
April 20, 2024
2024 US Olympic Team Trials
State College, Pennsylvania
Win
22–0
Thomas Gilman
6–3
Win
21–0
Zane Richards
13–6
April 19, 2024
Win
20–0
Nico Megaludis
8–0
2024 Pan American Championships at 57 kg
Win
19–0
Pedro Mejías
TF 12–2
February 24, 2024
2024 Pan American Continental Championships
Acapulco, Mexico
Win
18–0
Davi Silva Giovannetti
TF 10–0
Win
17–0
Óscar Tigreros
TF 10–0
2023 US Nationals at 57 kg
Win
16–0
Nico Megaludis
6–2
December 16–17, 2023
2023 US National Championships
Fort Worth, Texas
Win
15–0
Josh Rodriguez
TF 12–1
Win
14–0
Gary Steen
TF 10–0
2023 Bill Farrell Memorial at 57 kg
Win
13–0
Nico Megaludis
7–4
November 18, 2023
2023 Bill Farrell Memorial International
New York City, New York
Win
12–0
Luke Lilledahl
TF 11–0
Win
11–0
Devan Turner
TF 11–0
Win
10–0
Muhammad Bilal
TF 10–0
2023 US Open 6th at 57 kg
Loss
Nick Suriano
FF
April 27, 2023
2023 US Open National Championships
Las Vegas, Nevada
Win
9–0
Caleb Smith
9–4
Win
8–0
Sheldon Seymour
TF 10–0
Win
7–0
Darrion Harris
TF 10–0
Win
6–0
Zach Sanders
Fall
November 1, 2020
HWC Showdown Open
Iowa City, Iowa
2019 US Nationals at 57 kg
Win
5–0
Nathan Tomasello
8–2
December 20–22, 2019
2019 US Senior National Championships
Fort Worth, Texas
Win
4–0
Vitali Arujau
TF 14–4
Win
3–0
Darian Cruz
TF 10–0
Win
2–0
Shane Kim
TF 10–0
Win
1–0
Jacob Moran
TF 10–0
NCAA record
NCAA Division I Record
Res.
Record
Opponent
Score
Date
Event
End of 2022–2023 Season (senior extra-year)
2023 NCAA Championships 6th at 125 lbs
Loss
98–6
Matt Ramos
Fall
March 16–18, 2023
2023 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win
98–5
Anthony Noto
MD 14–4
Win
97–5
Jack Medley
TF 17–0
Win
96–5
Tucker Owens
Fall
2023 Big Ten Conference at 125 lbs
Win
95–5
Liam Cronin
8–2
March 3–5, 2023
2023 Big Ten Conference Championships
Win
94–5
Patrick McKee
TF 20–2
Win
93–5
Jack Medley
TF 17–0
Win
92–5
Reece Witcraft
Fall
February 19, 2023
Iowa - Oklahoma State Dual
Win
91–5
Jack Medley
MD 11–2
February 10, 2023
Iowa - Michigan Dual
Win
90–5
Patrick McKee
7–1
February 3, 2023
Iowa - Minnesota Dual
Win
89–5
Marco Vespa
TF 18—2
January 27, 2023
Iowa - Penn State Dual
Win
88–5
Eric Barnett
Fall
January 22, 2023
Iowa - Wisconsin Dual
Win
87–5
Liam Cronin
Fall
January 20, 2023
Iowa - Nebraska Dual
Win
86–5
Michael DeAugustino
Fall
January 13, 2023
Iowa - Northwestern Dual
Win
85–5
Matt Ramos
Fall
January 8, 2023
Iowa - Purdue Dual
Win
84–5
Maximo Renteria
Fall
January 6, 2023
Iowa - Illinois Dual
2022 Soldier Salute at 125 lbs
Win
83–5
Drake Ayala
Fall
December 29–30, 2022
2022 Soldier Salute
Win
82–5
Jore Volk
MD 15–5
Win
81–5
Charlie Farmer
TF 19–1
Win
80–5
Damion Ryan
Fall
Win
79–5
Corey Cabanban
MD 16–5
December 4, 2022
Iowa - Iowa State Dual
Start of 2022–2023 Season (senior extra-year)
End of 2021–2022 Season (senior extra-year)
Win
78–5
Jakob Camacho
6–1
December 21, 2021
North Carolina State - Iowa Dual
Win
77–5
Jaret Lane
MD 8–0
December 20, 2021
Lehigh - Iowa Dual
Win
76–5
Brock Bergelin
TF 17–0
Central Michigan - Iowa Dual
Start of 2021-2022 Season (senior extra-year)
End of 2020-2021 Season (senior year)
2021 NCAA Championships at 125 lbs
Win
75–5
Brandon Courtney
7–0
March 18–20, 2021
2021 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win
74–5
Drew Hildebrandt
MD 11–0
Win
73–5
Devin Schroder
MD 10–2
Win
72–5
Killian Cardinale
MD 15–5
Win
71–5
Patrick McCormick
TF 17–1
2021 Big Ten Conference at 125 lbs
Win
70–5
Devin Schroder
TF 21–3
March 6–7, 2021
2021 Big Ten Conference Championships
Win
69–5
Rayvon Foley
Fall
Win
68–5
Dylan Ragusin
TF 19–4
Win
67–5
Brady Koontz
Fall
February 7, 2021
Iowa - Ohio State Dual
Win
66–5
Justin Cardani
Fall
January 31, 2021
Iowa - Illinois Dual
Win
65–5
Patrick McKee
Fall
January 22, 2021
Iowa - Minnesota Dual
Win
64–5
Liam Cronin
Fall
January 15, 2021
Nebraska - Iowa Dual
Start of 2020-2021 Season (senior year)
End of 2019-2020 Season (junior year)
2020 Big Ten Conference at 125 lbs
Win
63–5
Devin Schroder
MD 16–2
March 8, 2020
2020 Big Ten Conference Championships
Win
62–5
Jack Medley
TF 19–3
Win
61–5
Nicolas Aguilar
Fall
Win
60–5
Nick Piccininni
MD 12–3
February 23, 2020
Oklahoma State - Iowa Dual
Win
59–5
Forfeit
FF
February 15, 2020
Minnesota - Iowa Dual
Win
58–5
Jack Medley
8–1
February 8, 2020
Iowa - Michigan Dual
Win
57–5
Logan Griffin
Fall
February 2, 2020
Iowa - Michigan State Dual
Win
56–5
Brandon Meredith
TF 16–1
January 31, 2020
Penn State - Iowa Dual
Win
55–5
Hunter Lucas
TF 18–0
January 24, 2020
Ohio State - Iowa Dual
Win
54–5
Alex Thomsen
TF 18–0
January 18, 2020
Nebraska - Iowa Dual
Win
53–5
Devin Schroder
TF 15–0
January 12, 2020
Iowa - Purdue Dual
Win
52–5
Liam Cronin
TF 15–0
January 10, 2020
Iowa - Indiana Dual
2019 Midlands Championships 5th at 125 lbs
Win
51–5
Connor Ryan
Fall
December 29, 2019
2019 Midlands Invitational Championships
Win
50–5
Christian Moody
Fall
Win
49–5
Liam Cronin
Fall
Win
48–5
Michael Cullen
TF 16–0
December 1, 2019
Wisconsin - Iowa Dual
Win
47–5
Alex Mackall
TF 17–2
November 24, 2019
Iowa - Iowa State Dual
Win
46–5
Fabian Gutierrez
MD 16–5
November 17, 2019
Chattanooga - Iowa Dual
Start of 2019-2020 Season (junior year)
End of 2018-2019 Season (sophomore year)
2019 NCAA Championships at 125 lbs
Win
45–5
Jack Mueller
5–0
March 23, 2019
2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win
44–5
Nick Piccininni
11–4
Win
43–5
Sean Russell
Fall
Win
42–5
Sean Fausz
MD 10–1
Win
41–5
Bryce West
TF 18–0
2019 Big Ten Conference at 125 lbs
Loss
40–5
Sebastian Rivera
4–6
Mar 10, 2019
2019 Big Ten Championships
Win
40–4
Sean Russell
MD 8–0
Win
39–4
Elijah Oliver
Fall
Loss
38–4
Nick Piccininni
Fall
Feb 24, 2019
Iowa - Oklahoma State Dual
Win
38–3
Ethan Rotondo
Fall
Feb 17, 2019
Iowa - Wisconsin Dual
Win
37–3
Elijah Oliver
Fall
February 15, 2019
Indiana - Iowa Dual
Win
36–3
Brandon Cray
Fall
February 8, 2019
Maryland - Iowa Dual
Win
35–3
Zeke Moisey
MD 18–4
February 3, 2019
Iowa - Nebraska Dual
Win
34–3
Travis Piotrowski
Fall
Jan 25, 2019
Iowa - Illinois Dual
Win
33–3
Nick DeNora
Fall
January 18, 2019
Rutgers - Iowa Dual
Win
32–3
Sean Russell
4–0
January 13, 2019
Iowa - Minnesota Dual
2018 Midlands Championships at 125 lbs
Loss
31–3
Sebastian Rivera
3–7
December 29, 2018
2018 Midlands Invitational Championships
Win
31–2
Pat Glory
12–6
Win
30–2
Drew Hildebrandt
TF 18–0
Win
29–2
Bryce West
TF 17–0
Win
28–2
Malik Heinselman
Fall
Win
27–2
Luke Resnick
TF 15–0
December 8, 2018
Lehigh - Iowa Dual
Win
26–2
Alex Mackall
MD 13–4
December 1, 2018
Iowa State - Iowa Dual
Win
25–2
Pat Glory
TF 18–2
November 16, 2018
Princeton - Iowa Dual
Win
24–2
Alejandro Hernandez-Figueroa
TF 18–0
November 9, 2018
Iowa - CSU Bakersfield Dual
Win
23–2
Tomas Gutierrez
TF 16–0
November 9, 2018
Iowa - Kenn State Dual
Start of 2018-2019 Season (sophomore year)
End of 2017-2018 Season (freshman year)
2018 NCAA Championships at 125 lbs
Win
22–2
Nick Suriano
5–1
March 17, 2018
2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win
21–2
Nathan Tomasello
Fall
Win
20–2
Nick Piccininni
Fall
Win
19–2
Luke Welch
TF 18–0
Win
18–2
Alonzo Allen
TF 18–0
2018 Big Ten Conference at 125 lbs
Win
17–2
Luke Welch
TF 16–0
Mar 3, 2018
2018 Big Ten Championships
Win
16–2
Sebastian Rivera
MD 12–0
Loss
15–2
Nathan Tomasello
1–2
Win
15–1
Rayvon Foley
Fall
Win
14–1
Sinjin Briggs
Fall
Feb 18, 2018
Iowa - Iowa State Dual
Win
13–1
Carson Kuhn
Fall
Feb 10, 2018
Iowa - Penn State Dual
Win
12–1
Sebastian Rivera
7–4
February 4, 2018
Northwestern - Iowa Dual
Win
11–1
Ethan Lizak
TF 15–0
February 2, 2018
Minnesota - Iowa Dual
Win
10–1
Drew Mattin
TF 15–0
Jan 27, 2018
Michigan - Iowa Dual
Win
9–1
Nathan Tomasello
3–2
Jan 21, 2018
Iowa - Ohio State Dual
Win
8–1
Nick Piccininni
10–5
January 14, 2018
Oklahoma State - Iowa Dual
Win
7–1
Rayvon Foley
Fall
January 5, 2018
Michigan State - Iowa Dual
2017 Midlands Championships 6th at 125 lbs
Loss
6–1
Ronnie Bresser
1–3
December 29, 2017
2017 Midlands Invitational Championships
Win
6–0
Sean Russell
TF 15–0
Win
5–0
Travis Piotrowski
TF 17–2
Win
4–0
Killian Cardinale
Fall
2017 UNI Open at 125 lbs
Win
3–0
Skyler Petry
Fall
December 9, 2017
2017 UNI Open Tournament
Win
2–0
Johnny Jimenez
Fall
Win
1–0
Dack Punke
TF 16–0
Start of 2017-2018 Season (freshman year)
Stats
Season
Year
School
Rank
Weigh Class
Record
Win
Bonus
2023
Senior++
University of Iowa
#1 (6th)
125
20-1
95.24%
85.71
2022
Senior+
DNQ
3–0
100.00%
66.67%
2021
Senior
#1 (1st)
12–0
100.00%
91.67%
2020
Junior
#1 (COVID)
18–0
100.00%
88.89%
2019
Sophomore
#3 (1st)
23–3
88.46%
73.08%
2018
Freshman
#3 (1st)
22–2
91.67%
75.00%
Career
98–6
94.23%
81.73%
[53]