Allyson Schwab Photography: Fort Dodge's Dreshaun Ross reacts after clinching another gold medal in Fargo, N.D.

FARGO, N.D. — This one was special.

Fort Dodge senior-to-be Dreshaun Ross has tasted success at every level in wrestling. In fact, he has won a Fargo Nationals title before.

The championship on Wednesday meant something more.

“This one’s special to me because there was the top competition in the country in the bracket,” Ross said. “So it’s more than just about winning…it’s a statement.”

Ross captured the 285-pound Junior freestyle bracket with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Iowa State University commit Coby Merrill at the United States Marine Corps Junior Nationals tournament.

Fort Dodge junior-to-be Joe Constable finished as a Fargo runner-up in the 16U freestyle bracket, losing to Noah Larios of California in the finals, 7-2.

Knox Ayala, meanwhile, will step into FDSH high school hallways as Fargo bronze medalist. The Dodger freshman-to-be placed third at 94 pounds with a last-second turn to secure the medal.

Ross, the three-time Dodger state champion who is now ranked No. 1 in the nation at heavyweight, cruised into the finals.

“It feels amazing to win a Fargo title and especially in the Junior division where it gets more complicated,” said Ross, an Oklahoma State University commit. “It’s something that I really wanted to do and accomplish.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do that without all of the love and support I have from my family, friends, teammates and coaches.”

Ross easily handled Mark Effendian of Pennsylvania in the semifinals. He controlled the entire match, recording a technical fall in 2:03, 11-0.

In quarterfinal action, it was another shutout technical fall, 10-0 (4:14) over Micah Hach of South Dakota.

“My mindset going into the tournament was that I am more prepared than my competition and am willing to do whatever it takes to win,” Ross said. “Having that edge in my mind is something that helps separate me from the rest of the competition.”

Ross, who was the top seed at 215 pounds last season, was forced to injury default after reaching the Round of 16.

Ross won freestyle and Greco titles here two years ago at 195 pounds in the 16U bracket, as well as a 16U freestyle crown in 2022 as a freshman-to-be.