IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa freshman Spencer Lee has been named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week.
Lee won the 125-pound title at the 2018 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Cleveland on March 17. He rolled through the championship bracket, scoring more team points than any of the 330 competitors in the tournament. His 27 team points came from two technical falls, two pins, and a 5-1 decision in the NCAA finals against previously undefeated Nick Suriano of Rutgers.
Lee is the first Hawkeye to win a national title as a true freshman since Lincoln McIlravy in 1993. He joined the Iowa lineup Jan. 5 and finished his freshman season with a 22-2 overall record. He led the Hawkeyes with eight technical falls and ranked third with nine pins.
Lee was one of five Hawkeyes to earn All-American honors at the NCAA Championships. The others include Brandon Sorensen (149), Michael Kemerer (157), Alex Marinelli (165), and Sam Stoll (285).