Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Drake Ayala celebrates his second title for Fort Dodge on Saturday in Des Moines. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — This may all seem like a foregone conclusion now, but only because it never has been to Drake Ayala.

The Fort Dodge junior refused to take anything for granted along his journey to greatness.

And he’s not slowing down anytime soon, either.

Ayala became just the eighth wrestler in the program’s 90-plus year history to repeat as a state champion here on Saturday night, overwhelming Austin Kegley of Cedar Rapids Prairie in the 120-pound finals inside Wells Fargo Arena.

If you blinked, you missed it. Ayala’s title-clinching pin came in just 45 seconds against the second-ranked and second-seeded Kegley, who was simply the latest overmatched opponent in a season that saw 48 of them come and go without even a hint of success against the now nationally-recognized Dodger superstar.

“He’s just on an entirely different level compared to the rest of this state at his weight, and really, the entire country,” FDSH head coach Bobby Thompson said of Ayala, who is ranked at or near the top of nearly every publication’s 120-pound charts and a consensus Top-15 recruit. “Drake is more than a rare breed. He’s one of a kind. The talent, the work ethic, the motivation, the student he is in the classroom, the way he represents Fort Dodge away from (the mat)…it’s just the whole package.

“This didn’t just fall into Drake’s lap, though. People read about him, hear things, watch it happen, but they really have no idea how committed he is to his craft behind the scenes. He’s made sacrifices and commitments that most 16- or 17-year-old kids simply aren’t interested in making. He put in the effort (growing up) to make it seem effortless today.”

Ayala’s 2020 state tournament was as close to perfection as it gets. The national junior folkstyle and freestyle champ scored three pins and a technical fall to extend his overall match win streak to 91, dating back to 2018. Ayala helped the Dodgers secure a sixth consecutive team trophy in the process, as Fort Dodge placed third behind only Waverly-Shell Rock and Southeast Polk in the final standings.

“I’m just trying to soak it all up,” Ayala said afterward. “Every moment. Every memory. It doesn’t last forever. I’m already staring down my last season now.

“It’s maybe not quite as exciting as winning my first (a year ago), but it’s still a state championship. Of course it means a lot to me. I’ve got bigger goals and bigger things ahead this spring and summer, but that doesn’t make (the 2020 title) any less important to me. This is something I’ll always remember, especially getting to share it with my mom and dad, my family, friends, the fans and our entire community.”

For the second consecutive season, Ayala donned a plain black Fort Dodge wrestling shirt in warm-ups originally worn by his father, Sam — a top-ranked Dodger wrestler over 25 years ago. Ayala breaks it out for the finals as a reminder of both the tradition he’s carrying forward and the name he represents.

“My dad gave it to me and I decided to start wearing it for him,” Ayala said. “This program is rich in history, and I have nothing but respect for what (the wrestlers) who came before me have done to lay the foundation here. My dad was a big part of that.

“There’s nothing like being from Fort Dodge. It’s second to none, and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. It’s been the best place in the world to grow up, and I feel a lot of pride for what we’ve been able to accomplish (the last three years).”

Ayala’s career record now stands at 136-2. His only two setbacks were to Mason City standout and University of Iowa recruit Cullan Schriever as a freshman.

“Drake just keeps growing and progressing,” Thompson said. “It’s always about preparing for that next step, that next level, in the present. He doesn’t get ahead of himself, but at the same time, Drake didn’t get this far by standing pat.

“It’s an attitude and a perspective worth emulating, that’s for sure. We’re just really lucky to have him here for one more year. He’s already on a course for something a lot bigger than high school championships — and has been for quite some time — but I know he’s also really enjoying himself and the time he spends wearing a Dodger singlet with his teammates.”

Ayala will be one of four medalists returning in 2020-21, alongside classmates Dreyzon Phillips (2nd), Kody Cook (6th) and Lane Cowell (7th). State participants Max Bishop and Tucker Pederson, both currently freshmen, will be back as well.

Seniors Carson Taylor (2nd), Levi Egli (3rd), Brandon Mills (6th), Brooks Cowell (8th) and Austin Lee (qualifier) must be replaced.

“We’re really going to miss the seniors,” Ayala said. “We don’t plan on going anywhere, though, and I know that’s what they’d want and expect from us moving forward. We’re not going to slow down. My brother (Dru, a current eighth grader) is coming up, along with some other young talent.

“I’m not the face of Dodger wrestling. I don’t feel comfortable with that (idea). There are so many guys working hard and doing their thing for the good of the program, training and making sacrifices just like me and like us. That’s what it takes to keep our program at a high level. And I’m looking forward to being one of those senior leaders in the same way guys were there for me three or four years ago.”