A signature win over fifth-ranked Purdue 125-pounder Devin Schroder on Sunday won’t tip the scales much in the mind of Fort Dodge’s three-time state champion either, though.

Welcome to the world of major-conference wrestling — a pressure and style that suits the true freshman just fine.

Ayala rebounded from an 8-6 setback to 2021 NCAA bronze medalist Pat McKee on Friday with a dominant performance less than 48 hours later, easily discarding Schroder — a two-time Big Ten finalist — by a 6-1 final.

Ayala, who was thrust into action when three-time national gold medalist Spencer Lee announced just eight days ago that he would be sidelined for the rest of this season, capped a whirlwind week with a noble showing against Schroder inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Ayala scored takedowns in the second and third period and accumulated over three minutes of riding time to overwhelm the 24-year-old Schroder, a fifth-year senior who has won over 100 collegiate matches and qualified for nationals three times.

Iowa’s Drake Ayala wrestles Purdue’s Devin Schroder during the 125-pound bout of their dual at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on Sunday. (Stephen Mally/hawkeyesports.com)

Who wasn’t overly impressed? Ayala himself. Just like he wasn’t disheartened by Friday’s defeat.

“I thought I wrestled pretty well for the most part,” Ayala said. “There are always areas where I need to improve, so I’m not going to pretend like this was some end-all accomplishment. It’s a (single) match in early January, just like (Friday).

“Every time out there counts, because you have to learn from them all and get better because of it. Win or lose. You look back and see things you could’ve done differently or better. (Falling short vs. McKee) was frustrating, but you watch film, listen to the coaches and move on to the next one. At the end of the day, the key is to not get too low or too high.”

Ayala channeled the energy and enthusiasm of the Hawkeye crowd during both duals.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hear it,” Ayala admitted. “It’s definitely cool. During the match, I’m really locked in and trying not to let anything (influence) me too much. But after getting my hand raised and hearing them roar (to a standing ovation)…it was a great moment. Something I appreciate and will always remember.

Iowa’s Drake Ayala wrestles Purdue’s Devin Schroder during the 125-pound bout of their dual at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on Sunday. Ayala won, 6-1. (Stephen Mally/hawkeyesports.com)

“Coming from Fort Dodge, I’m used to it getting loud and having that kind of support, thankfully. This is a bigger scale obviously, but Dodger fans are as passionate (on the local level) as Hawkeye (supporters) are (at CHA).”

Last Sunday, Ayala was taking third at the Southern Scuffle as an unattached competitor first processing the Lee news like everyone else. A week later, the 2021 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate is a full-fledged, full-time Iowa starter.

“Things have moved pretty fast, but having my teammates, coaches and the fans welcoming me into the family has helped my mentality so much,” Ayala said. “It’s been like that since I got here, though. They don’t just have my back because I’m (in the lineup) now. That’s been the case from day one, so I’m really fortunate.”

Ayala also underlined the encouraging words coming from back home.

“People don’t think I see it, but I do,” Ayala said. “It means a lot. There’s nothing like the Fort Dodge wrestling community.

“I’m just going to keep working toward being myself and learning more every day. The biggest takeaway (from Friday to Sunday) was that I wrestled more like I normally do. I have to work from who I am and what I know (as the base). Everything else will fall into place from there.”