FIELDS OF DREAMS
Heavyweight stays in Iowa, looks forward to Mocco
Let’s face it. Matt Fields was going to be a University of Iowa wrestler all along.
After all, head coach Jim Zalesky wasn’t going to let the kid who grew up just 30 miles northeast of Iowa City idolizing the black and gold — who, by the way, just happened to be the nation’s top heavyweight recruit — get away.
But there’s no question the presence of NCAA champion heavyweight Steve Mocco helped sway Fields out of the “active shopper” category.
As he’s discovered in what he hopes will become regular workouts, Fields will only get better. Just call them pre
paration for the real midterms, which will start occurring next year when he officially becomes Mocco’s heir apparent.A two-time Class A state champion for Stanwood North Cedar High and a four-time placewinner, Fields won the final 66 matches of his career, which reads 138-13, and was the Junior National freestyle champion last summer. The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder was unbeaten the past two seasons, and was named to the U.S. team for the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic March 13.
We caught up with Fields for this candid conversation after he returned home from a workout with Mocco in Iowa City.
WIN: How often do you get a chance to work out with Mocco?
Fields: I just started doing it this week, now that the (high school) season is over. I couldn’t do that before.
WIN: What’s it like going with him?
Fields: It’s a real eye-opener. Because it shows how much better you need to get, if you want to get to his level. It does really open up your eyes and lets you know that there’s always room to get better.
WIN: When did you first meet him?
Fields: Last year.
WIN: From talking around at Fargo last year, I understand that you were still open as far as where you were looking to go to school. What eventually swayed you in Iowa’s direction?
Fields: Well, I’ve always wanted to be a Hawk, of course, but with (Mocco) being there, that kind of altered my choices a little.
When I sat down and evaluated my choices, I kind of realized that there was no sense in running from someone who was only going to make me better.
So I want to go there and learn as much from him as I can. Plus, I really like (Coach) Tom Brands and (Coach) Jim Zalesky and (Coach) Dan Gable. I think they’re great people, and they’re going to make me 100 percent better.
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