Rich tradition a pull for '12 Olympic Trials

IOWA CITY - The University of Iowa has a long and successful history with Olympic wrestling, from Leslie Beers' participation in 1928 to Tom Brands' gold in 1996.

To many, the news that the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials will be this April at Iowa City is fitting.

“Hopefully, we'll have several of those (former Hawkeye wrestlers) in contention so we can bring some local flavor,” said Dan Gable, former Iowa and Olympic coach who won Olympic gold in 1972.

Seventeen former Hawkeyes have been on U.S. Olympic teams, including Mike Zadick, Doug Schwab and Steve Mocco in 2008. But former Iowa wrestlers and others with the Hawkeye Wrestling Club aren't alone in adding a local flavor. Clubs at Iowa State and the University of Northern Iowa will provide some talent, including former Anamosa prep and two-time UNI All-American Moza Fay.

“It's pretty exciting,” former Hawkeye NCAA finalist Dan Dennis said. “I'm looking forward to it.”

Dennis said Carver-Hawkeye Arena is a perfect home for the tournament.

“I would think this is the best environment to have an event like this with our support of wrestling,” he said. “I can't imagine a more ideal place.”