[2][3] In folkstyle, Lee won the James E. Sullivan Award and the Dan Hodge Trophy twice, as well as three NCAA Division I national championships out of the University of Iowa.

[5][6] Lee was born in Denver, Colorado, but grew up in Saegertown, Pennsylvania before moving to Murrysville, where he attended Franklin Regional High School.

[20] During his third season in college, Lee compiled an 18–0 record, grabbed his first Big Ten Conference title and was a favorite heading into the NCAA championships.

[34] Lee started off his final year of folkstyle wrestling undefeated in dual action and claiming the Soldier Salute and Big Ten titles.

[35][36] At the NCAA tournament, where he was looking for a fourth national title, Lee cruised to the semifinals, where he faced Matt Ramos, whom he had previously pinned at a dual meet.

[37] After an electric match, Lee was defeated by Ramos in one of the biggest upsets in the sports' history, and proceeded to medical forfeit out of the tournament, placing sixth.

After three straight wins to reach the semis, where he was set to wrestle Nick Suriano, Lee forfeited out of the tournament due to his knee injuries, placing sixth.

[42] Despite having already qualified for the US Olympic Trials, Lee competed at the US Senior Nationals on December, where he once again defeated Megaludis and picked up a gold medal to extend his win-streak.

[48] After a quick win over Morocco, Lee defeated U23 World medalist Zou Wanhao from China in a tight, high-scoring match to advance in the tournament.

[53] To start off January, Lee claimed the gold medal at the Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane after earning five technical falls over foreign opposition.

[54] In February, he ran through the Grand Prix Zagreb Open, notably defeating European medalist Islam Bazarganov and two-time NCAA champion Roman Bravo-Young in a highly anticipated bout.