With the 2024 Olympics looming overhead, wrestlers from across the country are scurrying to bring their A-game to the table. Ahead of the Games, the national team trials are currently occupying the wrestlers’ minds and everyone’s doing everything they can for a spot in the Team USA. Similarly, Penn State’s wrestling sensation, Nick Lee, is fixated on retaining his form through an arduous training routine to bring glory at the Olympics.

Penn State is one of the country’s top wrestling programs that regularly produces some of the most decorated athletes. Weeks ago, the school’s Nittany Lions Wrestling Club made the headlines with 12 of their wrestlers being selected for the national team trials. Now, with the road to Paris opening up, Lee is also upping his game in hopes of recreating his NCAA success on the grandest stage.

Former Penn State wrestler sheds light on stringent training schedule

In a recent interview, Lee talked about what his calendar looks like with the Paris Olympics on the horizon. Attending the match between Penn State and Rutgers, Lee talked about how head coach Cael Sanderson established a culture of “perspective and gratitude“, that he thought was benefitting the wrestlers immensely. Along with that, he also talked about how he’s preparing for the upcoming Olympics.

When asked about how his training is looking like with the team trials just around the corner, the five-time All-American athlete confessed, “It’s pretty intense“. Lee further elaborated that he has a couple of tournaments lined up and will be visiting Mexico next week, where he will spend the next fortnight trying to secure his spot for the national team.

“We’re always training, always traveling, always competing“, grinned the two-time NCAA champion. “That’s life,” Lee acknowledged, highlighting how the athletes continue to find joy in what they do and always try to push themselves to the limit as the Olympic Games beckon. However, Lee is convinced he will be facing tough competition from his own alma mater when it comes to making it to the Team USA.

Former national champ praises NLWC athlete

In the interview, Nick Lee also talked about one of his colleagues who he believes will carry the national responsibility for success at the Olympics. Lee told in the interview about all the things that impressed him about Beau Bartlett (141lb). “Match to match they make little adjustments in the room and then put it in practice on the mat“, elaborated Lee before exclaiming how Bartlett’s gradual development has been incredible.

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Lee said that seeing Bartlett perform well against opponents who beat him previously is something truly impressive. “It’s awesome to see him come into that role, ” praised Lee about Bartlett’s progress. Now, it waits to be seen if Penn State wrestlers can manage to uphold the high expectations of their former colleagues when it comes to the Olympics later this year.

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