Former Anamosa prep Fay loses at Trials, but content

IOWA CITY - Former Anamosa prep and UNI All-American Moza Fay failed to make the U.S. freestyle team, or even place at 163 pounds.

He's disappointed, but not giving up.

“This is something I've worked my whole life for,” Fay said after an 0-1, 1-0, 1-0 loss to former Missouri standout Nick Marable, the No. 3 seed. “I'm definitely not happy. I wouldn't be happy unless I made the Olympic team.

“But I'm content.”

That contentment comes from the fact Fay has made great progress in freestyle since moving to Colorado Springs in January 2010. He lost his first match to reigning NCAA champion David Taylor of Penn State, 0-4, 5-3, 3-1. then beat Lloyd Rogers of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club, 3-1, 5-1.

“I know I'm making progress,” he said, blood dripping from his mouth. “It's just a few little minor adjustments.”

At this level, little means a lot.

“Every day you try to make little inches, not feet,” he said.

Fourth at the 2010 U.S. Nationals and 2011 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier, Fay is unsure what's next. He'd like to stay in Colorado, but misses Iowa.

He wants to keep training for 2016, but is married and he and wife, Lauren, welcomed their first child in March.

“I don't feel like I've reached my peak potential,” he said.