Iowa sophomore Spencer Lee overcame an unknown illness that zapped him of his strength during the 2018-19 season to capture his second NCAA Division I 125-pound wrestling national title March 23 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.

Neither Lee, nor any team spokesman, would comment on the reported illness.

“I don’t make excuses,” Lee said. “I went through a lot of adversity this year. But I really attribute all of my success to my coaches and my teammates who believed in me every step of the way even when maybe I didn’t believe in myself.”

The 2017 Franklin Regional graduate, a three-time PIAA and four-time WPIAL Class AAA champion, became the 84th individual to win a national title at Iowa and for that effort was named the winner of the Mike Howard Most Valuable Wrestler award at the team’s annual awards banquet.

He was 23-3 and scored bonus points in 18 of his 23 wins.

Lee outscored his five opponents 55-7 at nationals. One of his wins avenged a loss to Oklahoma State’s Nick Piccininni.

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