FARGO, N.D. — Dru Ayala didn’t get what he came for at Fargo Nationals, but it’s a building block for the Fort Dodge junior to be.

Ayala placed third at 106 pounds in the junior freestyle division at the FargoDome.

The 2022 Dodger state runner up beat Damian Moreno of Arizona 11-8 in the placement match.

He defeated Oregon’s Gage Singleton 19-17 to advance to the medal match.

Ayala suffered a tough 7-6 loss to Mack Mauger of Idaho in the semifinals. Ayala was 5-1 in the tournament.

“It’s a great atmosphere in the FargoDome,” Ayala said. “There are great wrestlers from all over the country and competition is crazy good.

“Obviously getting third hurts a little, but it is what it is and I have to move on.”

Defending girls state champion Alexis Ross competed last year at Fargo Nationals and went 2-2.

This time around she went 4-2 and was one match away from medaling.

She beat Abigail Mozden of Ohio (8-0), Jailynn Taylor of Kansas (4-0) before losing to Kryssceah Ravenelle of Rhode Island (9-4) in the round of 32.

Ross bounced back with a 4-0 win over Annika Lee of Washington and a tight 11-10 victory over Bella Wazny of Mississippi.

She lost her final match 10-0 to Alice Rickett of Oregon.

“It’s not what I wanted, but considering the circumstances with my injury and not being able to practice as much as I’d like, I did alright,” Ross said. “It really helps to fuel me for next year with it being my last year to finally make something happen at Fargo.”