Joe Lee following brother’s path to Penn State wrestling from Indiana

Joe Lee is known more for being the brother of Nick Lee, who has created quite the buzz for himself in the wrestling world.

For someone in Joe’s shoes, it might be difficult to break away from such a shadow. However, Joe has fun with it.

He didn’t think he would have the same opportunities as his brother, but he has landed on the 2018 Penn State wrestling recruiting class. The Lees will be the second pair of brothers on the roster in 2018, joining Nick and Seth Nevills.

Joe recently took time to chat with the Centre Daily Times about life outside the sport and coming out of the unknown wrestling state of Indiana.

Q: How did competing on all-star teams help your wrestling career?

A: It’s helped a lot. You have a bunch of great wrestlers on your team. We wrestled for the Pennsylvania Young Guns one year. It was just a great group of wrestlers, great coaches and great guys. Everyone has the common goal. As you’re wrestling with these guys, you form bonds and your wrestling progresses after wrestling with these guys. It’s a great experience. Always a lot of fun when we were on the national teams.

Q: If you had to pick a song that would sum up your wrestling career so far, what might that be and why?

A: One song that Nick has been listening to is “I am Machine” (by Three Days Grace). I thought that paired really well with Nick’s style. It’s a style I’m striving for. It’s almost like an attitude, like, I don’t care what the score is. I don’t care how much time is left on the clock. I’m a machine. I’m going for the goal. I don’t care how tired I am, I’m just going to keep going. That is a goal for me and I think that is a good way to sum up the wrestling I’m hoping for.

Q: For people that might not know who Joe Lee is, what’s an interesting thing about you?

A: I come from the least know wrestling state in the country in Indiana. Other than that, Nick’s brother. Nick is making a name for himself already. I’m hoping to follow up.

Q: When you say Indiana is not known as a wrestling state, how hard can that be to get yourself better and get yourself to that Division I level?

A: It’s a lot different more than harder, I’d say. In Pennsylvania, you have access to some of the greatest wrestling coaches. In Indiana, don’t get me wrong, we have great wrestling coaches, but they are not as much. It is a lot of fun. It’s always fun going to tournaments and saying, ‘Who’s this guy from Indiana?’ Eventually, we are going to come out. You are going to hear from more Indiana guys here in the near future.

Q: Why did you chose Penn State?

A: I’d say it was a great fit for my brother and I. We are just very grateful for the opportunity. We had been to a few other colleges before. Right when we stepped foot in (Penn State), we kind of had a mutual agreement like this was the place we were going to go. After our first visit, we quickly rescheduled another visit and that’s what did it for us. The atmosphere, the family of wrestling and just the overall attitude toward wrestling was phenomenal.

Q: Was it always an intention for you to wrestle at the same school?

A: It was always a goal for us. Obviously, not every time things work out. Luckily, we both found the opportunity to go to the same school, which was great. I always wanted to go to school with him. I just didn’t know if I’d have the same opportunity he did.

Q: What are you most looking forward to when you come to Penn State?

A: The focus on wrestling. Right now, I don’t want to have any side focuses or distractions. Once I come up to Penn State, I’m really looking forward to getting in the room, focusing on wrestling and getting better.

Q: If you had to have your dream wrestling match, who would it be against and why?

A: I’d go with my brother. If we were the same size and same weight, it would be a very physical match. I think it would be fun to watch because we have opposite styles. We’ve been wrestling each other for so long. It would be interesting to watch.

Q: You’re coming in with probably one of the most historic classes with Gavin Teasdale, Roman Bravo-Young and Seth Nevills. What’s it like to have your name up there with guys like that?

A: Oh, it’s great! Roman Bravo-Young a world team member. Gavin Teasdale just an all-around hammer. I’m really looking forward to wrestling with these guys and forming bonds.

Q: What do you like to do away from wrestling?

A: I like fishing and swimming. A lot of times just really hanging out with my friends, hopefully not causing too much trouble, and just having fun in southern Indiana.

Q: How hard is it to break loose of your brother’s shadow because of the recognition he has created for himself?

A: I’d say its more fun than an annoyance. For me, its just like Nick is setting the bar, I get to have fun down here and see how far I can push it. It’s good for both us. Obviously, since we are brothers we try to outdo each other in every aspect. I’m just really looking forward to going out there and wrestling my full potential and see how it goes.

Q: What do you think it will be like in the wrestling room in two years competing against Jason Nolf?

A: I think it will be fun. I will see how I fare against those guys every day. Hopefully, try to get a little bit closer. Obviously, I’m far away from those guys right now. I’m looking forward to wrestling them and seeing where I am and what areas I can progress from learning from them.

Q: What is one thing you are going to miss when you go to college?

A: A lot of my friends (and) missing out on a couple of local restaurants. We have a great family mentality down here so everyone kind of knows everyone. When we go out to Penn State, we will make new relationships which is going to be even greater because it’s like a fresh start and a fresh slate.

This story was originally published July 10, 2017 at 8:58 PM with the headline "Joe Lee following brother’s path to Penn State wrestling from Indiana."