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Top-rated Ayala a buzzsaw through 120-pound bracket

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Drake Ayala of Fort Dodge controls Burlington Notre Dame's Blaine Frazier on Friday inside Wells Fargo Arena. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Drake Ayala has spent a lot of time at the state tournament

Just not a lot of time on the mat.

The top-ranked 120-pounder in the nation will compete in his third state final after a fall in 1:09 over Dubuque Hempstead’s fifth-ranked Adler Kramer (30-8).

Fort Dodge’s defending champion wasted little time scoring points, grabbing a 10-4 lead with five takedowns before pinning Kramer in the second minute.

“It’s another stepping stone to get to where I want to be,” Ayala said. “I’m feeling good, weight is good.

“I feel really confident heading into the finals.”

In the quarterfinal round, Ayala (47-0) pinned Ankeny’s Cael Cox in 1:40 after taking an 8-3 lead.

In his three matches at this year’s state tournament, Ayala has spent six minutes and five seconds on the mat.

“He is the motor man and just goes out and gets the job done,” said FDSH head coach Bobby Thompson. “He got a few takedowns and then just finished them off with pins. I don’t think people can fully appreciate the leadership he is showcasing.

“He has been focusing on the team aspect and rallying these guys while firing them up. He is a very selfless person.”

Ayala, who is 134-2 and now seventh on Fort Dodge’s all-time win list, is 10-1 at the traditional state tournament. In his run to the title last season, Ayala had two falls and two technical falls, spending 11 minutes and 25 seconds total on the mat in four matches.

To earn his second state crown, he’ll face Cedar Rapids Prairie’s second-ranked senior Austin Kegley (36-4). Kegley has flown through the tournament as well, earning three falls, including two in the first period.

“I’m just going to treat it like every other match,” Ayala said. “I want to score as much as I can in every match.

“I wrestled (Kegley) last year, and he has gotten a lot better.”

Finals start at 6 p.m. inside Wells Fargo Arena.

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