Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Dreshaun Ross of Fort Dodge has his hand raised as the 2023 Class 3A state champion at 195 pounds. Ross became the biggest freshman in the modern history of Iowa’s largest class to win a title with an 8-1 victory over fellow ninth-grader Denarii Mickel of Ames. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Welcome to the record books, Dreshaun Ross.

All week inside Wells Fargo Arena, there were whispers of the 6-foot-2 freshman specimen from Fort Dodge.

On Saturday night in the championship round, the talk became a roar as Ross introduced himself to the state of Iowa.

Ross simply dominated the 195-pound final with all eyes on the precocious Dodger. After six minutes of complete control, the varsity rookie cemented his name in the record books as the biggest freshman champion ever in Class 3A.

After his hand was raised, the typically-stoic Ross pumped his fists and let out a roar.

“I knew if I just wrestled my style and stayed solid, I had it in the bag,” Ross said. “The emotion I let out wasn’t only because of the win…it was because of all the steps it took to get where I am today and all of the hours in the room, the extra workouts, and the support my family always shows.”

Fort Dodge head coach Bobby Thompson has watched Ross grow on the mat, but for as good of an individual competitor as he is, he’s an even better teammate and representative of his community.

“Dreshaun is a rarity,” Thompson said. “He is obviously an excellent athlete who takes all of this seriously, but this is still fun for him. He is out there cutting up with his teammates.

“This is only the start. He’s going to get bigger…and better.”

Ross’ chase for four state championships began as a legend’s ended. Iowa City High’s Ben Kueter, who was previously the heaviest freshman champion in 3A after winning the 160-pound crown in 2020, finished his career as an unbeaten four-time champion — the seventh and 32nd, respectively, in Iowa history.

“One legend leaves and another one starts,” Thompson said. “They (Ross and Kueter) are friends and have wrestled at the club level together for a long time.”

Ross had both his short- and long-term plans in mind this week.

“This is definitely special, because I still have a chance to become a four-time state champion,” Ross said. “The vibe (here) is different from a lot of other tournaments.

“That (finals match) definitely motivated me, because if I lose, my dream of becoming a four-time state champion is over.”

Ross (44-2) steamrolled through fellow freshman and fourth-seeded Danarii Mickel of Ames, 8-1. It was Ross’s fourth victory over Mickel this year.

“Dreshaun withstood Mickel’s rush at the beginning and Mickel just couldn’t get to his attacks,” Thompson said. “He (Mickel) was getting worn out, and Dreshaun got the escape and takedown and just kept going.”

Ross recorded two takedowns and three near-fall points, along with an escape, to become Fort Dodge’s 63rd state champion in program history.

“People know what Dreshaun is capable of,” Thompson said. “Jeff Evans, (an assistant) coach at Southeast Polk, caught up to me and said, ‘Man he is going to be great.’

“They see him in person, they see him in action, and they know.”

Ross also became only the second freshman in Fort Dodge history to win a state championship. Current Iowa Hawkeye Brody Teske’s first of a four-year title run came in 2015.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere without my brother and the rest of my family,” Ross said. “I’d say that’s where most of my emotion came from.

“I can’t wait to get back here next year.”

The trip to the finals was also the third this season for his family. Older brother Damarion, a junior, was in the 160-pound gold medal round. Senior sister Alexis was in the girls 135-pound championship round.

“It’s definitely been a rollercoaster of emotions,” Dreshaun said. “Watching my brother drop his match was super hard, but I had to keep my mindset right and take care of business.”

As far as all of the attention? That’s something that Ross doesn’t let bother him.

“Media and things like that don’t really get to me too much,” Ross said. “When you shake hands on such a big stage, you block out the distractions and go to work.”

The freshman dominated the 3A field beating the 14 seed by fall (52 seconds), the 6th-seed (11-4) and scoring a major decision over second-seeded Harrison Gibson (22-8) of Southeast Polk before the win over Mickel. The Dodger freshman beat a senior and two juniors on his way to the top.

In his first season, Ross had 25 falls, two technical falls and three major decisions to lead the way. His only losses came to Wisconsin state champion Cole Mirasola, a junior, and two-time Iowa state champion McCrae Hagarty, an Iowa State commit.

Ross’ stature and success wasn’t a complete secret, as his resume speaks volumes. The 15-year-old is a six-time AAU state champion — one of just eight in Iowa history. He is also a six-time gold medalist at Tulsa Nationals.

Ross was a Fargo National champion as well, and he secured Greco-Roman and freestyle U15-Pan Am crowns.

“Dreshaun has been on the huge stage over and over again, with the U15 Pan-Am games, Fargo and Tulsa Nationals. He is a just a tough, tough kid both physically and mentally,” Thompson said. “He just has a great personality and is a great person to be around. He sets the tone and the standard.”