Olympic champion Randy Lewis, 49, wins two and loses one at Northern Plains Regional
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by Benjamin Hupke
Watch Randy Lewis' win over James Reynolds
Watch Randy Lewis' win over Trent Larrieu
Watch Moza Fay's win over Randy Lewis
WATERLOO, Iowa - The return to competitive freestyle wrestling was all that Randy Lewis thought it would be. And more.
Lewis, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist, prevailed in his first two matches of the tournament in convincing fashion. He posted a 1-0, 3-0 opening-round victory over James Reynolds (Maverick Wrestling Club) and 3-1, 5-1 win against Trent Larrieu (Victory School of Wrestling).
That set up a semifinal showdown at 74 kg/163 lbs. with past Northern Iowa two-time All-American Moza Fay.
Fay, a UNI graduating senior from Anamosa, Iowa, took advantage of the elder Lewis from the onset. The length and strength of Fay was too much for Lewis to overcome, as Fay defeated Lewis in two straight periods, 9-2. 7-0.
Illini Wrestling Club's Mike Poeta, a two-time NCAA runner-up, later defeated Fay in the title match, 4-1, 9-3.
"Moza Fay did a good job," Lewis said. "I made a couple mistakes in that match with Moza. He's too solid for me to give up that much position, and then when he got on top, it was pretty much over.""
Fay, likewise, had similar concerns.
"Honestly, I was nervous going into that match," Fay said. "I mean really nervous, because he's an Olympic champion. I don't care if he is 49 years old."
Fay, in a great sportsmanlike move after the match, raised Lewis' hand as a token of his appreciation for Lewis' efforts.
"I knew he probably wasn't going to win it," Fay said. "I just wish it wasn't going to be me that had to beat him."
All in all, Lewis' performance will provide much conversation across the country.
"It was fun. It was real fun in those first two matches, and the match with Moza was fun, but not as much," Lewis said. "It was a great experience for me, and I'm glad I did it."
Champions on the Senior circuit included Cruse Aarhus (55 kg/121 lbs.), Daniel Dennis (60 kg/132.25 lbs.), Jared Frayer (66 kg/145.5 lbs.), Mike Poeta (74 kg/163 lbs.), Chris Pendleton (84 kg/185 lbs.), J.D. Bergmann (96 kg/211.5 lbs.) and Eric Thompson (120 kg/264.5 lbs.).
The champions each qualified for the U.S. World Team Trials on May 30-31 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Watch Randy Lewis' win over Trent Larrieu
Watch Moza Fay's win over Randy Lewis
WATERLOO, Iowa - The return to competitive freestyle wrestling was all that Randy Lewis thought it would be. And more.
Lewis, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist, prevailed in his first two matches of the tournament in convincing fashion. He posted a 1-0, 3-0 opening-round victory over James Reynolds (Maverick Wrestling Club) and 3-1, 5-1 win against Trent Larrieu (Victory School of Wrestling).
That set up a semifinal showdown at 74 kg/163 lbs. with past Northern Iowa two-time All-American Moza Fay.
Fay, a UNI graduating senior from Anamosa, Iowa, took advantage of the elder Lewis from the onset. The length and strength of Fay was too much for Lewis to overcome, as Fay defeated Lewis in two straight periods, 9-2. 7-0.
Illini Wrestling Club's Mike Poeta, a two-time NCAA runner-up, later defeated Fay in the title match, 4-1, 9-3.
"Moza Fay did a good job," Lewis said. "I made a couple mistakes in that match with Moza. He's too solid for me to give up that much position, and then when he got on top, it was pretty much over.""
Fay, likewise, had similar concerns.
"Honestly, I was nervous going into that match," Fay said. "I mean really nervous, because he's an Olympic champion. I don't care if he is 49 years old."
Fay, in a great sportsmanlike move after the match, raised Lewis' hand as a token of his appreciation for Lewis' efforts.
"I knew he probably wasn't going to win it," Fay said. "I just wish it wasn't going to be me that had to beat him."
All in all, Lewis' performance will provide much conversation across the country.
"It was fun. It was real fun in those first two matches, and the match with Moza was fun, but not as much," Lewis said. "It was a great experience for me, and I'm glad I did it."
Champions on the Senior circuit included Cruse Aarhus (55 kg/121 lbs.), Daniel Dennis (60 kg/132.25 lbs.), Jared Frayer (66 kg/145.5 lbs.), Mike Poeta (74 kg/163 lbs.), Chris Pendleton (84 kg/185 lbs.), J.D. Bergmann (96 kg/211.5 lbs.) and Eric Thompson (120 kg/264.5 lbs.).
The champions each qualified for the U.S. World Team Trials on May 30-31 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
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