Photo by Jake Torkelson, IAWrestle.com Fort Dodge junior Drake Ayala was named the Dan Gable Mr. Iowa Wrestler of the Year on Saturday, given annually to the state’s top wrestler in each class. Ayala, a two-time state champion, earned the honor in Class 3A.

CEDAR FALLS — Drake Ayala is one of the top high school wrestlers in the nation, and on Saturday night, he was named the best in his class for the state of Iowa.

The Fort Dodge junior was named the 2020 Dan Gable Mr. Wrestler of the Year for Class 3A during a banquet on Saturday before “War at West Gym.”

Ayala earned the award following his second straight unbeaten season, which culminated in a second consecutive state championship.

“It means a lot,” Ayala said. “It’s a great honor, but to get where I want to be, there is a lot more work to do.”

Fort Dodge has three of the last four Dan Gable Mr. Iowa Wrestler of the Year winners in 3A: Brody Teske (2017 and 18) and now Ayala.

Ayala, who finished 48-0 on his way to the 120-pound state title, was a finalist alongside Southeast Polk senior Gabe Christianson (40-1) and Ankeny junior Caleb Rathjen (43-1). Both Christianson (195) and Rathjen (138), who have committed to wrestle at the University of Iowa, won state titles this season.

Between Ayala (135-2), Christianson (141-22) and Rathjen (104-4), there are six gold medals and eight finals appearances, along with 380 career victories and 28 losses.

“Both (Christianson and Rathjen) are great wrestlers,” Ayala said. “I see them a lot in the offseason.”

Ayala was joined at the ceremony by his parents, Sam and Angie Ayala; his brothers, Dru and Knox; and his grandparents, Jerry and Shannon; Grandma K; and FDSH teammate Kody Cook.

“It was nice to have my family there with me,” Ayala said. “It was great to be honored like this.”

Ayala has won 91 straight matches at the prep ranks for the Dodgers. He ran through his opponents this past season, taking 23 matches by fall and 17 by tech fall. He has three major decisions and two decisions to go along with three forfeits.

Nineteen of his 23 falls were in the first period. Seven tech falls came in the first period, and six came in the second.

Now, like the rest of the nation, Ayala will wait and see what lies ahead. He has plans to travel to Vegas in April, but with the threat of COVID-19, he is waiting to see what happens.

Ayala, who is the top-ranked 120-pounder in the nation, is through with his college visits and is waiting to make a decision on his future plans.

Through all of his success, Ayala has had a strong contingent of supporters in his corner.

“I have a lot of support behind me,” Ayala said. “My family and friends do everything for me, and I’m very thankful for that.”