U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler Broderick Lee, 33, passed away
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
01/21/2003
USA Wrestling has received word that former Greco-Roman World Team member Broderick Lee, 33, passed away late last week in California. Lee was a member of the 1997 U.S. Greco-Roman World Team, and was a top international Greco-Roman wrestler for a decade. His competitive Greco-Roman career ended after a fourth-place finish at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Dallas, Texas. He was the 1997 U.S. Nationals champion at 54 kg/119 pounds and went on to capture the No. 1 position on the national team by winning the 1997 World Team Trials. He placed second at the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, losing in the finals series to Dennis Hall at 57 kg/127.75 pounds. Lee represented the United States in many international events. He was second in the 1997 Pan American Championships, third at the 1993 Pan American Championships, and placed fourth at the 1995 and 1996 World Cup. He was a Concord Cup International champion in 1992 and 1997. He was also a college wrestling star for Portland State Univ., winning three NCAA Div. II national titles for the Vikings (1989, 1990, 1992). Lee was a member of the 1989 Portland State team that won the NCAA Div. II team title, as all five entries claimed individual gold medals: Lee, plus Dan Russell, Travis West, James Sisson and Tony Champion. He was also a member of the 1990 team that won the NCAA Div. II team title. He was also a two-time high school state champion for John Marshall High School in Oregon. Details on the circumstances of Lee's death are not available at this time. There will be a memorial service for Broderick Lee on Monday, January 27 at Daniels Memorial, 13th and Killingsworth in Portland, Ore. The memorial will begin at 11:00 a.m. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of an outstanding athlete," said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director. "His energy and tenacity will be greatly missed by the entire sport." TheMat.com will post other information when it becomes available.