Iowa's Spencer Lee withdraws from Olympic Trials

Another day, another surprising announcement from one of college wrestling’s most celebrated lightweights.

Iowa senior Spencer Lee, fresh off a third NCAA championship that he won while competing with two torn ACLs, made it known Friday he will not compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials next month.

“It is not an easy decision, but after consulting with my coaches, family, brothers and medical staff, I know it is the right decision,” Lee said in a statement he posted to Twitter. “I am confident we will create a path that allows for a stronger and healthy return to competition. 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, a Franklin Regional graduate and 125-pounder, revealed the extent of his injury to the media after his most recent title win in St. Louis.

“Two national titles without ACLs,” said Lee, who won the 2020 Hodge Trophy. “I wrestled with no ACLs. Whatever man. … Excuses are for wusses. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Go Hawks pic.twitter.com/j3TXlaBUKR

— Spencer Lee (@LeeSpencerlee36) March 26, 2021

Lee re-injured his right ACL during the 2019 NCAA finals, and tore the left one at the 2021 Big Ten finals.

HawkCentral.com said neither Lee nor Iowa offered a timeline for potential surgery and recovery time. Lee went 5-0 at nationals in St. Louis, outscoring his opponents, 59-8, and running his winning streak to 35.

He helped Iowa win its national team championship since 2010.

Four wrestlers in NCAA history have ever won four Division I national titles. They are: Oklahoma State’s Pat Smith, Iowa State’s Cael Sanderson, Cornell’s Kyle Dake and Ohio State’s Logan Stieber. Lee could become the fifth if he returns and wins next season.

Lee qualified for the Olympic Trials after winning the U.S. Senior men’s freestyle national championships in December 2019, but the trials and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo were postponed due to the covid-19 pandemic.

The Olympic Trials were pushed to April 2-3 in Forth Worth, Texas.

The 2024 Olympics will be in Paris.

HawkCentral.com said Lee’s mother, Kathy, is from France. In ‘16, Lee won his second Junior men’s freestyle world title in France.

“I have been blessed with unconditional support at the University of Iowa and I will offer the same to my teammates and coaches as they pursue Olympic gold medals while representing the United States in Tokyo,” Lee added. “Go Team USA!”