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Dodgers crown three champs

-Messenger photo by Britt KudlaDrew Bennett of Fort Dodge wrestles against Jevon Parrish during finals on Saturday

COUNCIL BLUFFS — An exhausted Fort Dodge wrestling program pushed itself to the limit for the second consecutive weekend at the Council Bluffs Classic.

Though Bobby Thompson could see his second-ranked Dodgers physically start to wear down as Saturday’s action progressed at Mid-America Center, the veteran head coach knows there are long-term benefits to grinding through such a struggle.

Fort Dodge placed third overall with three individual champions in the 39-team field, scoring 455 overall points. Lincoln (Neb.) East was the champion with 497.5 points, followed by Kearney (Neb). at 462, the Dodgers, and Apple Valley (Minn.) at 452.

”I think having back-to-back long weekends started to catch up to us,” Thompson said. ”We weren’t very sharp late in the day. The guys looked tired. It’s a lot to ask, having Thursday duals and then going to these deep, competitive two-day tournaments (FDSH was crowned champion a week ago at the Independence Invitational).

”Even though our bodies are worn out, it’s a great challenge to our mindset. It gets us in good meet condition, it pushes us against elite competition from a lot of different states, and I’ll be honest: these long road trips can really work wonders on team chemistry and unity. I feel like we made significant progress there as well.”

No. 1 seniors Brody Teske (13-0 126 pounds) and Drew Bennett (15-0 at 132) were joined for the second straight week at the top of the podium by freshman Drake Ayala (13-0 106), while upstart sophomore Carson Taylor (113) and senior stalwart Cayd Lara (152) also reached the end of their respective brackets before bowing out. Teske kept his perfect prep record intact with a memorable victory over previously-unbeaten Alex Thomsen of Underwood in the finals, while Bennett also came up clutch with a sudden-victory for his championship.

Ayala dominated all six opponents he faced and, like Bennett racked up bonus points in all but one of his matches. The Fargo national champ then defeated fellow freshman Beau Klingensmith of Woodbury Central in the finals, 9-6.

”Brody, Drew and Drake were all really solid,” Thompson said. ”I don’t think any of them would say they were at their best at the end; the wear and tear on both their bodies and minds took a toll. But all three of them worked their way through it and came out on top, which was great to see.

”Drew and Drake have just been very methodical in the way they’ve performed this season. It’s all business, and they’re both taking care of it at a very efficient pace.”

Taylor (13-3) continued to make the most of his first extended varsity opportunity by obtaining a silver medal the week after taking fifth in Independence. In the semifinals, he worked over third-ranked Kansas 120-pounder Justin Williams of Overland Park Blue Valley Southwest, 10-1.

Taylor suffered a 5-2 championship setback against undefeated Gage Ferguson of Kearney.

”Carson was outstanding. There’s just a night-and-day difference in his mindset and approach to everything so far this year,” Thompson said. ”He’s been very impressive for us.”

Lara (14-1) led undefeated Nate Larson of Apple Valley in the 152-pound finals, 5-2, before getting caught in a cradle and pinned for the first time since his freshman season.

”Cayd is disappointed of course,” Thompson said. ”He’ll learn from it. Even as a four-year veteran and senior leader, there is always room for improvement. This will motivate him, because as is the case with all of our guys, one slip can cost you against tough competition.

”Cayd lost to a talented kid. This will just add fuel to his fire.”

Juniors Drevon Ross (13-4) and Kaden Smith (15-3) placed sixth at 138 and 170, respectively. Senior Damond Lockner (14-3) was ninth at 145.

Fort Dodge was in the hunt for the team crown and finished well ahead of third-rated Waukee (396) despite being open at three weights. Ranked sophomore Levi Egli (160) missed the weekend action with strep throat and the flu, and ranked junior Triston Licht (195) is still sidelined by an injury suffered during football.

”We were short-handed, but that’s all part of dealing with adversity,” Thompson said. ”The bottom line is that all 11 of our guys scored points, and we made progress and fared well despite knowing we have a long way to go and a long climb ahead.

”We’re going to regroup and get back in the lab. There was a lot of hype to this tournament and we’re pretty whooped at this point. I know I am, and I didn’t even have to make weight.”

Fort Dodge’s home debut is this Thursday against Urbandale. Their annual Don Miller Invitational is Saturday in the Dodger gym.

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