Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Drake Ayala of Fort Dodge controls Mason City Jace Rhodes on Saturday during the Don Miller FDSH Invitational finals at 132 pounds. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Drake Ayala has done just about everything in his high school career.

Now, the future Iowa Hawkeye continues to cement his legacy and add his own chapter to the Fort Dodge Senior High record books.

On Saturday in the Dodger gym, Ayala joined head coach Bobby Thompson and Cole Clarken as the only wrestlers in school history to win four Don Miller Invitational championships.

Ayala, Lane Cowell, Dreyzon Phillips, Kody Cook and Tucker Pederson helped lead the fourth-ranked Dodgers to their sixth straight Miller Invite crown. Fort Dodge has won four titles in as many years to complement its trophies in 2014 and ’15. There was no tournament in 2016 due to inclement weather.

The Dodgers accumulated 233 team points, with six wrestlers in the finals and the five gold medals.

“We wrestled well,” Thompson said. “It was nice to see our guys finish strong heading into the Christmas break. We had five guys at the top of the medal stand and pushed six into the championship round, which was a positive.”

A two-time defending state champion and the nation’s top-ranked 126-pound performer, Ayala cruised to his with two falls and a techical fall at 132 pounds. He earned a first-period fall in the quarterfinals and a tech fall over ninth-ranked Jack Ramaker of Lake Mills, before pinning Mason City’s fifth-ranked Jace Rhodes (5:33) for his 12th win of the season in as many matches.

“Drake just keeps getting better and better,” Thompson said. “It’s hard to tell sometimes because he’s so dominant, but he beat two ranked kids and a two-time medalist.”

Ayala, who is now 147-2 in his career, was named the Tim Ascherl/Brent Helmkamp Outstanding Wrestler of the Meet for the third time in his career.

“It means a ton, just to be named along side of the other two,” Ayala said. “They were great wrestlers and all-time Dodgers.

“I can’t thank the coaches enough for choosing me.”

Fourth-ranked senior Lane Cowell (10-1) won his third straight Miller Invite crown with a tight 3-2 decision over No. 5 (2A) Jon Burnette of Spirit Lake Park at 120 pounds. Cowell had a fall and a major decision on the way to the top.

“It felt good to contribute to the title and be able to score a win for the team,” Cowell said. “I love being a part of this, so to help us out means a lot to me.

“My team is a family, and wrestling home just makes me feel good about where I’m at, and remember who I’m competing for.”

“That was a great win for Lane,” Thompson said. “To see him hold on for that title was special. He’s improving every time out.”

Fellow senior Dreyzon Phillips (12-1), rankted third at 145, made light work of the field with two falls in under a minute and a 17-1 tech fall over Bret Peterson of Lake Mills in the 152-pound final.

“It’s always fun to compete along with my teammates,” Phillips said. “I’m enjoying this last ride, and hopefully I can leave FDSH with a state title.”

Fourth-ranked senior Kody Cook (8-2) knocked off two rated wrestlers on his way to his first career Miller crown. Cook won by injury default over second-ranked Casey Hanson (12-1) of Lake Mills in the 160 pound final.

Cook won a tight 1-0 decision over No. 7 Max Derry of Webster City in the semifinals.

“It feels amazing to go out and get a win at home as a senior,” Cook said. “Carrying on the streak of winning the title is huge.

“There’s a lot of tradition in the Don Miller Invite, so it’s great that our team got the win — especially for us seniors.”

Phillips and Cook have combined for three Don Miller crowns in the past two seasons alone.

“Dreyzon just went out there and took care of business,” Thompson said. He was dominant. I was very impressed with Kody, too.”

Sophomore Tucker Pederson, coming off an upset victory over No. 9 (182) Nate Nessa of Ankeny on Thursday, rolled through the 170-pound bracket.

“Tucker put together a good week,” Thompson said. “He had an upset win on Thursday and was in control on Saturday.”

Pederson recorded three falls in the first period for the Dodgers.

“It feels really good to win in your home tournament,” Pederson said. “This is always a tough (field), and to be able to win the team title is nice.”

Fifth-ranked freshman Dru Ayala (10-2) reached the 106-pound finals with two decisions before losing to Dowling’s top-ranked junior, Kyler Carstarphen, 11-3 in the finals.

Third-rated sophomore Max Bishop (9-1) suffered his first loss of the season, falling to eighth-ranked Lucas Bruhl (7-2) of Ankeny Centennial, 15-4. Bruhl, the son of 1988 FDSH state champion Brad Bruhl, lost in the finals to defending Class 2A state champion Camron Phetxoumphone of Webster City, 5-4 in overtime.

“Dru and Max has arguably two of the toughest brackets,” Thompson said. “In the finals, Dru is a little undersized against an oversized 106-pounder. We have to keep making those adjustments.

“Max had a great tournament. He was with Bruhl for about four minutes, so we have to close that gap from four to six.”

Fifth-ranked Ben Egli (182) lost to No. 3 (2A) Elijah Wagner (13-0) of Lake Mills, 8-2, in the semifinals. Egli bounced back for a third-place medal with a first-period fall.

Keaton Nichols (285) also placed third for the Dodgers, beating teammate Collin Munter (unattached) in the third-place match.

Damarion Ross (138) took fifth, while Cal Hartman (145) and Alex Read (220) were sixth.

With the first part of the season complete, Thompson is pleased with his program’s progress.

“There were and still are a lot of unknowns,” Thompson said. “We lost one dual (to COVID), but were able to make it up. We had two good duals and three solid tournaments against some strong programs and opponents.

“We were able to do it with our resources, community support, and the history behind our program.”