-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Drake Ayala of Fort Dodge celebrates after defeating Cedar Rapids Prairie Austin Kegley during class 3A Championship on Saturday inside Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines

CEDAR FALLS — Fort Dodge will be well represented at War at West Gym on Saturday night.

Four Dodger wrestlers will compete in the event held in Cedar Falls at the West Gym. Doors will open at 5 p.m.

Fort Dodge’s two time state champion Drake Ayala, along with state runner ups Carson Taylor and Dreyzon Phillips and third place girls state finisher Alexis Ross will compete for the Dodgers.

Ayala, who finished his junior season with an unbeaten 48-0 mark as the Class 3A 120-pound state year in my home state is awesome.”

Ayala, who is 135-2 and 2-0 in his career at War at West will face Jakason Burks, of Omaha Burke, Nebraska. Burks, will join the Oklahoma State wrestling program next season.

Burks, who is ranked sixth in the nation at 132 pounds is a two-time Nebraska state champion, losing in the state finals this season.

Fort Dodge senior Carson Taylor, who finished second at 126 pounds will meet Dyson Kunz of Central City, Nebraska. Kunz is a junior with 150 career victories.

“It’s good for the sport and I’m honored to be a part of it,” Taylor said. “Wrestling in front of big crowds and good competition can get me nervous sometimes, but I know that right when the whistle blows, it’s just me and him and the nerves go away.”

Taylor, who won a state title at 120 pounds in 2019, finished his season with a 39-4 mark and a career record of 121-19.

“This is my first time wrestling at an event like this and I’m excited,” Taylor said. “I’m happy to be what I was a part of in high school and what we as a team have done in the past years.

“I’m sad to leave, but also excited to start wrestling in college.”

Junior Drezyon Phillips, who compiled a mark of 41-8 was a state runner up at 138 pounds. In his first competition at War at West Gym, he will face Waverly-Shell Rock senior Evan Yant, who was the Class 3A 152-pound state champion. Yant is a four time state qualifier with a fourth and sixth place finish.

“I think it’s a good opportunity to put myself out there,” Phillips said. “I’m excited to put it on the line in front of a large crowd.

“I have nothing to lose, and wrestling the best competition will only get me to that next level that I want to achieve.”

Ross, Fort Dodge’s first girls state place finisher as a freshman will compete for the Dodgers as well. Ross (132), finished third at state and compiled a 16-1 season. She will face Emma Grimm of Osage. Grimm was second at 126 pounds.

“Wrestling at War at West Gym is a big opportunity for me and it’s pretty cool that I got invited,” Ross said. “Wrestling in front of a large crowd is like home for me. Since I was little I’ve wrestled in front of a large crowd in all areas, all over.

“It’s great energy to have when wrestling. As for the competition, it’s always good to have a good challenge.”

Webster City 106-pound state champion Cam Phetxoumphone (106 in Class 2A), who went 42-0 will face Nate Jesuroga of Southeast Polk. Jesuroga went 36-1 and was third in 3A at 106 pounds.

LINEUP

(Red team on left, Blue team on right)

Jalen Schropp , Williamsburg vs. Kayden Kauzlarich, Centerville

Gabe Greenlee, Ames vs. Chet Buss, North Butler

Alexis Ross , Fort Dodge vs. Emma Grimm, Osage

Graham Gambrall , Iowa City West vs. Cael Rahnavardi, Don Bosco

Carson Taylor , Fort Dodge vs. Dyson Kunz, Central City, Nebraska

Abby McIntyre, Glenwood vs. Lilly Luft, Charles City

Mickey Griffith, Des Moines Lincoln vs. Ethan Fulcher, Hudson

Tate Naaktgeboren, Linn-Mar vs. Adam Ahrendsen, LaPorte City Union

Dreyzon Phillips, Fort Dodge vs. Evan Yant, Waverly-Shell Rock

Trever Anderson, Ankeny vs. Bailey Roybal, Waverly-Shell Rock

Ben Kueter , Iowa City City High vs. Spencer Mooberry, Osage

Nate Jesuroga, Southeast Polk vs. Cam Phetxoumphone, Webster City

Sage Walker, Eddyville-Blakesburg vs. Thomas Even, Don Bosco

Hayden Taylor, Solon vs. Jack Thomsen, LaPorte City Union

Drake Ayala vs. Jakason Burks, Omaha Burke, Nebraska