All the Right Moves

Former Franklin Regional wrestler Spencer Lee takes silver at the Paris Olympics!

Spencer Lee was a standout on the Panthers wrestling team from the very beginning. His hard work and laser focus resulted in three Pennsylvania state titles, in his freshman, sophomore and junior years. His senior year, Spencer was not 100 percent as he struggled with recovery from a torn ACL, but he pushed himself to compete despite the injury.

He went on to wrestle for the University of Iowa, where he added a U.S. National Championship in freestyle wrestling and won the James E. Sullivan Award as most outstanding athlete in the U.S., and was also named Big Ten Wrestler of the Year.

Spencer comes from an athletic family who excelled in sports. His father, Larry, was an Olympic judo coach. His mother, Cathy, who is a native of France, was an alternate on the 1992 Olympic judo team. Larry and Cathy met through the sport and were married about a year later.

France was once again a focus for the Lee family when Spencer was selected for the U.S. Olympic team to compete in Paris! His former high school wrestling coach, Matt Lebe, gathered with several others for a watch party at Rick’s Sports Bar in Murrysville. The room was electric with excitement as everyone waited in anticipation of the big match.

“They [NBCUniversal] streamed us in before the match and showed us at the bar watching,” adds Coach Lebe. “There was a lot of community support.”

Spencer is reportedly the only Olympic medalist from Westmoreland County. “This is a big thing for our wrestling program.” – Coach Lebe

Spencer wrestled in the lightest weight division of 57 kilograms (125 lbs.) and was able to win silver for the U.S., finishing behind Japan’s Rei Higuchi.

“I think most of us can’t even imagine what it’s like to perform at that level,” says Coach Lebe. “They were just two incredibly great athletes. On a different day, it could have been a different outcome with Spencer winning.”

Spencer is reportedly the only Olympic medalist from Westmoreland County. “This is a big thing for our wrestling program,” notes Coach Lebe.

He believes that, at 25 years old, Spencer could compete in the 2028 Olympics and win gold if he decides to commit himself to it.

“He’s young enough and if he stays healthy, he can go back. It’s a big commitment at that level, but we all believe he can win multiple world titles and the next Olympics. It’s a family commitment, and they are incredibly proud of their son and committed to supporting him in his goals.”

Coach Lebe saw Spencer’s early drive to succeed in high school. “Spencer worked very hard in every aspect of competition. He did all the little things right—sleeping, training... His whole approach to life was all about being the best he could be. The beautiful thing about wrestling is that it teaches you so much about life outside the sport of wrestling. It’s just you out there. And it develops the character of the individual.”

Spencer Lee exemplified this commitment. “The whole way he lives his life is an inspiration for other kids. He’s a great person with great character, and he totally commits himself.”