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DETROIT -- Fort Dodge will be able to claim six percent of the 125-pound field at the NCAA Wrestling Championships this week.
Former Dodger teammates Drake Ayala and Brody Teske are among the 33 competitors in that division vying for the national title at Little Caesars Arena. Action begins at 11 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, with the opening session televised by ESPNU.
Ayala, a University of Iowa true freshman, is seeded 13th with a 16-6 overall record. Teske, now a two-time national qualifier for the University of Northern Iowa, is 12-6 and seeded 15th.
The ex-FDSH standouts, who captured seven individual state titles and accumulated 348 victories compared to just four defeats combined in their high school careers, are unlikely to meet. They are positioned on opposite ends of the bracket.
Like many area wrestling fans, Dodger head coach Bobby Thompson will make the 670-mile trip into eastern Michigan for the three-day tournament. The drive will give Thompson plenty of time to reflect on what he calls an "incredible and unique time for the Fort Dodge community" when two of his former star athletes step into the national spotlight in the same weight class.
"It's really hard to fully appreciate what both of them are doing right now," Thompson said. "They're at the very top level of their sport; you're talking (33) kids at one weight from all of the Div. I programs in the country. It's a whole different ballgame, and (the) 125 (pound division) is one of the best and most competitive there is. Every time out, you're facing a ranked opponent in the Big Ten or Big 12.
"I just hope people realize how lucky we are to be witnessing this, and knowing the kind of people Drake and Brody are on top of that…it makes it that much more special."
Ayala, who joined the Hawkeye lineup when three-time national champion Spencer Lee opted for surgery to repair torn ACLs in both knees nearly three months ago, squares off with 20th-seeded Fabian Gutierrez (20-5) of Chattanooga in his opener. Teske takes on No. 18 Noah Surtin (19-7) of Missouri.
"I have the best coaches and teammates behind me, along with all of my family and friends back home," Ayala said. "I'm feeling good and I'm ready to go.
"It's going to be a lot of fun."
Teske, who was a win away from All-American status a year ago and is 37-13 overall in his collegiate career, is looking forward to the challenge as well.
"Excited to represent much more than myself," Teske said. "Awesome opportunities ahead."
This marks the second consecutive NCAA national tournament featuring more than one former Dodger. Last year, Teske and UNI teammate Triston Lara qualified to end a 20-year drought for the program (Mark Rial of Northern Iowa, 2001).
"I'm just really proud of these young men. We all are," Thompson said. "I hope they both know everyone back in Dodge is in their corner no matter what. Of course we'd like to see them make a run (at placing in the Top-8 and clinching All-American status), but nothing will change the support they have from all of us. It's unconditional.
"Anything can happen when you have the best of the best in the nation. There are first-round matchups (pitting former) All-Americans against each other. It's such a grind; it will be fun to watch. We'll have a lot of Fort Dodgers in that crowd."
Ayala, who is still recovering from an injured shoulder, would face either fourth-seeded Brandon Courtney (21-1) of Arizona State -- a national finalist last year -- or No. 29 Joe Manchio (15-10) of Colorado if he beats Gutierrez. The Teske-Surtin winner meets either second-seeded Vito Arujau (14-1) of Cornell or No. 31 Antonio Lorenzo (20-9) of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.