Submitted photo: Dru Ayala (left) and Drake Ayala stand with the team trophy after helping Iowa clinch the National Duals championship.

TULSA, Okla. — Drake Ayala had all but moved on from the high school portion of his career.

There was something about being invited by his friends to join Team Iowa at the Junior Freestyle National Dual Championships that appealed to the instincts of Fort Dodge’s three-time state champion.

“I had made up my mind that I was kind of done and ready for the next chapter,” Ayala admitted. “We’d just gotten back from vacation and I had a lot going on. But the idea of doing this with my (younger) brother (Dru) and a lot of friends, Sebolt (Wrestling Academy) teammates and coaches I was familiar with really got me excited.

“I’m glad I did it. We had fun and did what we intended to do, while making a lot of memories along the way.”

Ayala, who graduated from FDSH last month, was named the event’s Most Outstanding Wrestler as Iowa clinched its first National Duals championship since 2005 by going a perfect 7-0. The team defeated Arkansas, Minnesota Red and Ohio Red in pool competition at the Cox Business Center, then took down California (36-27), Wisconsin (47-17), Illinois (41-23) and Oklahoma (40-23) for gold.

Both of the Ayalas went undefeated. Drake, who is headed to the University of Iowa, recorded seven consecutive technical falls at 126 pounds – where he is ranked No. 1 in the nation. Dru, a sophomore-to-be at Fort Dodge Senior High, had five technical falls, a forfeit victory and a decision at 100 pounds.

“Just getting a chance to stay together with my buddies and my brother and be on the road for a tournament together was a fun time,” Drake said. “It’s different than going by yourself to compete, when you’re basically on your own. There’s something about working toward that common goal and doing something for Iowa that hasn’t been done in 16 years…we took a lot of pride in it.”

Dru Ayala called it a “tremendous accomplishment” and added he learned a lot from Drake, fellow future Hawk Caleb Rathjen of Ankeny and the rest of the best Iowa has to offer.

“It was great being around Drake and some of older guys, who were showing us the ropes and where we still need to improve,” Dru said. “The competition was tough. I just wanted to go out there, do my part and give it my all.

“Because of how many matches we had (in a two-day period of time), I focused on wrestling my style, taking my shots and being aggressive. We had a lot of fun and got really close on the trip…of course there were some arguments here and there, but that happens (in the heat of the moment) and it’s all good. A lot of memories, and it meant a lot to be with my brother again (in a dual format after a season with the Dodgers).”

Drake Ayala’s summer plans are still in limbo before the fall semester begins in Iowa City.

“I’m actually on my way down there now,” Drake said on Monday. “I’m not really sure what the rest of the summer holds for me. We’ll just keep communicating with the (Hawkeye) coaches and play it by ear.”

Dru Ayala will head to Fargo Nationals in a little less than a month.

“My main priority is just getting to the next level,” Dru said. “I fell short of my goal (placing fifth at state as a freshman with FDSH), so it showed I need to work even harder and never take the easy way out. Keep putting in the time.”

Team Iowa was coached by Hawkeye assistant and former All-American Ryan Morningstar. There were 24 in-state wrestlers on the roster, including Webster City’s Carson Doolittle, who was 3-1 at 106 pounds.