Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Triston Lara poses with his Henry W. Schultz Award as his parents, Nick and Jamie, look on. Lara was honored as Fort Dodge Senior High’s top male senior athlete from the 2017 class.

When Triston Lara saw the state wrestling finals for the first time as a youngster in elementary school, he became instantly hooked.

Lara grew up in a wrestling family, so he was already on his way. But when he witnessed the live action as a part of the audience in Des Moines, the dream had officially begun.

“We went to state and watched Cody Marsh and his class (of 2009 Fort Dodge Senior High graduates). I knew that’s where I wanted to be,” Lara said. “My first time going down to the finals, when I was about seven years old — I got caught up in the (sights and sounds).

“From that point on, I always had the goal of being a state champion.”

Lara achieved his goals and much more, finishing as FDSH’s all-time leader for wins and earning two state championships as one of the more decorated Dodger grapplers in school history. He capped his illustrious prep career as Fort Dodge’s Henry W. Schultz Award winner, given annual to the school’s top male athlete.

“It was a true honor to receive the award,” Lara said. “It was really cool that my dad (Nick) won the award, too. It shows how hard our family works.”

Triston and Nick Lara — the 1994 Schultz recipient — are the only father-son duo in the 92-year history of the award. Nick Lara finished third at state wrestling in his senior season.

Triston cemented his name as one of Fort Dodge’s all-time greats on the mat. He finished with a career record of 170-12, with four state medals, three finals appearances, and two titles.

“Throughout my four years, what pushed me the most was my coaches and my teammates,” Lara said. “We had great competition in the room, with (Damond) Lockner, (Brody) Teske, (Sam) Cook and (Drew) Bennett, along with all the other guys.

“Then to have my brother (Cayd) with me was great. We are always encouraging each other to go 100 percent all the time. There is just something about being brothers, where you can go hard (without any reservations). That’s been our way from the start. It helped growing up with that kind of mentality, and I have my family to thank for that.”

Fort Dodge head coach Bobby Thompson, who watched Lara grow from a young age, greatly appreciates the influence and perspective he brought to the program.

“Triston has been a huge influence on Dodger wrestling,” Thompson said. “It’s going to hurt not having him around. I already miss sitting with him in the corner, talking about matches.

“He had his technique down to an art form. He accepted every challenge and developed through high school. Triston was a Dodger through and through.”

Lara, who was a combined 89-3 in his final two seasons, became the school’s ninth multi-time state champion this past February.

“It was awesome being a Dodger,” Lara said. “We had great support from the town. Fort Dodge is great.

“My four years definitely flew by.”

Lara not only found individual success, but helped lead a group that brought Fort Dodge back into the state spotlight. The Dodgers placed second at state in each of the last two seasons, and were third in 2015. They also finished second at state duals this past winter.

“He was so competitive. From the moment he stepped into the practice room as a freshman, Triston knew what he wanted. He never had that ‘freshman’ look,” Thompson said. “With guys like Sam Cook, Brody Teske, Cayd Lara, Drew Bennett and others bringing a lot of attention back to the program, Triston’s competitiveness was a huge part of this team.”

Even though Lara’s Dodger days are over, he knows the program is in good hands moving forward.

“The guys that we have now have been competing a lot, and there is also plenty of up-and-coming talent,” Lara said. “The Dodger tradition is going to keep building. There are a lot of guys returning, and we should be pushing for a state (team) title in 2018.”

Thompson knows Lara will continue to have an impact on the future of his program.

“There is no doubt his influence will be in this room (next season),” Thompson said. “He was somewhat quiet early on, but he was a leader by example with his work ethic and how he attacked his opponent.

“By his junior and senior year, he developed into a more vocal leader and helped lead these younger kids.”

Lara’s advice for future Dodgers stayed true to the school’s mantra.

“Work hard. Stay humble. Have fun,” Lara said. “Coach Thompson and Coach (Tanner) Utley always kept things fun. It’s easy to compete when you were having fun.”

Lara will take his talents to the next level at the University of Northern Iowa.

“I just loved Northern Iowa. (The Cedar Falls area) reminded me a lot of Fort Dodge,” Lara said. “I got along really well with the wrestlers and coaches.

“They work hard, and are a close group of guys. I can’t wait.”

Thompson believes Lara’s attitude and work ethic will help him succeed as a Panther.

“With his competitive nature, there is no doubt in my mind that he will be successful at the Div. I level,” Thompson said. “He wants to win every match, and works hard to try and achieve that. He’s a great ambassador for our sport.”