Thank you Spencer Lee

This was a challenging blog to write. To try and list all of the accomplishments of Spencer Lee as an Iowa Hawkeye just does not do justice for what he did. Lee is arguably the best and most influential Iowa wrestler of all time. That is saying a lot.

I have a lot of great memories of watching this guy wrestle for the University of Iowa. The entertainment this one wrestler provided for me and the Iowa Wrestling Nation is nearly impossible to describe.

Lee was one of the greatest high school wrestlers of all time when he made his way to Iowa City from Murrysville, Pennsylvania and Franklin Regional High School. Lee had already won three straight World Freestyle titles (1 Cadet and 2 Junior) by his junior year of high school.

On November 12, 2015 I had a blog entitled: Spencer Lee is coming to town. In the ten year plus history of my Iowa Wrestling Fan Blog that is the #1 most read blog I have ever had. The blog was about Lee coming to town for the historic Grapple on the Gridiron. I believe that post generated over 40,000 hits on Hawkeye Report alone.

When Lee committed to Iowa on April 20, 2016 I called it: “The recruiting shot heard around the wrestling world.” That one commitment stands out in the history of Iowa Wrestling.

Lee was one of several members of former Iowa Hawkeye All American Jody Strittmatter’s Young Guns Wrestling Club. The success of that era of Young Guns may never be matched by a wrestling club ever.

I was having a hard time describing what I saw Lee do in competition as a true freshman. While writing a blog I came up with: Spencer Lee is…Spencer Lee. I have never seen a college wrestler like him before and I more than likely never will again.

I was standing matside in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls for Spencer Lee’s first college wrestling match on Saturday, December 9, 2017. What a great run he had as a true freshman winning the National title at 125.

My favorite memory of Spencer Lee as an Iowa Hawkeye is when he pinned Nathan Tomasello of Ohio State in the Semifinals of the 2018 NCAA National Tournament in 6:05. That match can not be topped as a favorite memory for me.

Spencer Lee was a three-time NCAA champion and four-time All American. He was more than just stats. Lee made people want to watch wrestling. He was a once in a lifetime type of talent.

Lee dominated in academics as well. Spencer Lee has already graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sport and Recreational Management – Business. He is currently working on his Master’s degree in Sport and Recreational Management.

Lee was named Academic All-Big Ten three times and is also a three-time NWCA Scholar Athlete.

I also need to mention the memorable entrance song for home meets at Carver for Lee was We Will Rock You by Queen. I think it is safe to say that Iowa Wrestling fans will think of Spencer Lee when we hear the first few beats to that song for well, ever.

What great memories I have of hearing the first few beats of We Will Rock You and to then see Spencer Lee come out of the tunnel in Carver. Amazing memories.

I have no doubt that whatever Spencer Lee pursues for a career that he will be very successful.

I have a category that I seldom use and for good reason. Only a select few qualify. The ultimate level for me I titled: “Chiseled in stone legend.” Spencer Lee is…Spencer Lee. Spencer Lee is also without a doubt a “Chiseled in stone legend.”

Good luck and thank you Spencer Lee for representing Iowa Wrestling so well on and off the mat.

Accomplishments of Spencer Lee:

Three-time NCAA National Champion

Four-time All American

Two-time Hodge Trophy winner

Three-time Big Ten champion

Three-time Big Ten Wrestler of the Year

O.W. of the 2023 Big Ten Championships

2018 Big Ten Freshman of the Year

12 career falls in under one minute

29 first period falls

40 of 98 career victories ended in the first period – 29 falls/11 tech falls