April 23, 2008

WATERLOO, Iowa - The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum will honor two of the University of Northern Iowa's best individual athletes at its quarterly breakfast meeting.

 

Tyler Mulder, an NCAA track and field champion in the 800 meters, and Moza Fay, an All-American wrestler at 165 pounds, will be recognized by the Gable Museum beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 2.

 

This breakfast, which is being co-sponsored by Midwest One Bank, is free and open to the public. Mulder and Fay, along with UNI head coaches Chris Bucknam (track and field) and Brad Penrith (wrestling), will be in attendance.

 

 "The Gable Museum isn't just about wrestling," said Kyle Klingman, associate director at the Gable Museum. "This museum is about excellence. To become an All-American or to win an NCAA title in any individual sport takes a level of commitment that deserves recognition. I hope that the Cedar Valley will attend this free event to honor two of UNI's best athletes."

 

Mulder, a junior from Orange City, Iowa, recently won the 800 meter national title at the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. Mulder finished in a time of 1:49:20, outdistancing second place finisher Elkana Kosgei of LSU who clocked in at 1:49:47.

 

Mulder became UNI's third NCAA champion in track and field, and the first since Jacob Pauli won the indoor pole vault crown in 2001. Joey Woody became UNI's first NCAA track champion when he won the outdoor 400-meter hurdles in 1997.

 

Fay became UNI's first wrestling All-American since 2005 by placing fifth at this year's NCAA tournament. The junior from Anamosa, Iowa, finished with a 5-2 record at the three-day tournament. The Western Wrestling Conference also named Fay Wrestler of the Year.

 

Former NCAA wrestling champions Chuck Yagla (Iowa), Gene Lybbert (UNI), Gerry Leeman (UNI), and Tolly Thompson (Nebraska) will also be in attendance.

 

For more information on this event, contact the Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745.