Submitted photo: Dreshaun Ross of Fort Dodge, 14, earned both the freestyle and Greco-Roman USMC U.S. Open 15U national titles in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS — Fort Dodge’s Dreshaun Ross knows people naturally jump to conclusions about just how good he’ll be in the years to come on the wrestling mat.

The Fort Dodge Middle School eighth grader lets everyone around him try to predict his future. He’s only interested in focusing on the present.

Ross had another head-turning weekend at the USMC United States Open Wrestling Championships, capturing both the Freestyle and Greco-Roman 15U national titles at 85 kilograms (187 pounds). The 14-year-old gentle giant, who already measures in at 6-feet, 2-inches tall and 185 pounds, sliced through both brackets with a vengeance, giving up two points total on the freestyle side and none in Greco.

“It feels great to get what I came here for,” said Ross, who qualified for the U15 World Team Trials with his gold-medal performances. “I’ve been working hard, and it’s great to show that through accomplishing both titles.

“From here on out, it’s just one tournament at a time.”

Ross earned his his sixth consecutive Iowa AAU kids championship in March after pinning his way to the 189-pound crown in Des Moines. He became just the eighth wrestler in state AAU history to secure six golds, joining an elite list of Ryan Morningstar (1996-2001), Trent Paulson (1993-98), Jimmy Waters (1998-2003), Brandon Sorensen (2004-09), Nolan Hellickson (2006-11), Cullan Schriever (2010-16) and Max Magayna (2015-20).

Last summer, Ross took both the Freestyle and Greco-Roman national championships in his 165-pound 14U bracket at Wisconsin Dells.

In 2021, Ross captured his fifth Reno Worlds title, which also clinched his fifth Trinity Award — a prestigious honor for wrestlers who win gold at the distinguished Kickoff Classic, Tulsa Nationals and Reno World events. Ross became the first Iowan ever to rack up six championships at Tulsa Nationals, and also has six Kickoff Classic trophies to his credit.

Ross was an eight-time finalist and six-time champ at Tulsa Nationals.

Next on Ross’s agenda is both the freestyle and Greco state tournaments at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill on Saturday and Sunday. This July, Ross is eligible to compete at Fargo Nationals for the first time.

“I’d like to thank my coaches and partners, my dad, mom, brothers and all my family for pushing me through it all,” said Ross, who was competing for Sebolt Academy.