Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge's seven state wrestling qualifiers (left to right): Caiden Fraher, Trace Rial, Jesse Egli, Dreshaun Ross, Rylee Brown, Knox Ayala and Damien Yeoman.

DES MOINES — Dreshaun Ross is on the verge of history.

None of that even matters to the Fort Dodge senior superstar, though. It’s all about building memories with his teammates and one final ride as a high school wrestler.

The top-ranked heavyweight prospect in the nation will look to become the second Dodger ever to become a four-time state champion this week at the state tournament. Brody Teske is the only one in the Fort Dodge record books to do it so far.

Osage’s Blake Fox is also going for his fourth this season, as the two will try to become the 35th and 36th four-timers.

Even with the spotlight shining brightly on Ross, there are a number of story lines following Fort Dodge down to the Casey’s Center.

Fort Dodge head coach Bobby Thompson is in his final state meet, as he will retire at the end of the year after 21 seasons and 307 dual wins with the program since 2005-06.

“I’m just going to attack it as another trip to state,” Thompson said. “I have been coaching for 34 years…this won’t be any different. It’s all about the kids.

“On the drive home I might think about it, but for now, we have to do what we do best and try to bring home seven medals.”

Ross’ classmates — Jesse Egli (190) and Rylee Brown (165) — are making their fourth trips and searching for their first medals. Senior Caiden Fraher (157) is in his maiden voyage.

“Those four guys (the seniors) have been together for a long time,” Thompson said. “This is a tight group of kids and it’s a good way for them to go out.”

Junior Trace Rial (120) and sophomore Damien Yeoman (113) are making return trips to Des Moines. Freshman Knox Ayala (106) is looking to add to his family legacy behind brothers Drake Ayala and Dru Ayala, who earned eight career medals combined.

“Knox has a very high ceiling and could be anywhere on the podium,” Thompson said. “It’ll be tough, as he’ll have some juniors and an 18-year-old senior to contend with.

“He handles that well and may be a little undersized, but his technique makes up for it.”

Ross has now won 135 consecutive matches for FDSH, and is 142-2 in his career — ninth on the school’s all-time win list, despite missing most of his junior campaign.

“Being Coach Thompson’s last time just makes me even more excited and grateful that I get the chance to try and add another state title for him and to be a part of his last journey as a coach in Des Moines,” Ross said.

Ross will look to bring the 68th overall state championship to the halls of FDSH, as he is currently one of nine Dodgers to be a multiple-time gold medalist.

“I hope fans appreciate what Dreshaun is doing,” Thompson said. “It’s an honor and privilege to watch him week after week. His personality and his leadership are huge in our room.

“Nobody has been blessed more than me to have him in our program and our community. This last run will be fun.”

The Oklahoma State University recruit hasn’t lost since his freshman campaign, which is also the last time has been taken down.

“With Dreshaun, you don’t have to say much,” Thompson said. “He gets himself ready and knows what to do.

“His approach is the same every time. He doesn’t waver.”

Ross has dominated this season, rolling through his opponents as 31 haven’t made it out of the first period.

Ross is the top seed at 285 pounds and will await his first opponent Wednesday night.

Ross, who will also try to give the Ross siblings their sixth state crown overall flanking one from brother Damarion and one from sister Alexis, shares his success and knowledge with the younger competitors.

“It’s not just what Dreshaun does on the mat — it’s what he does on the sidelines as well,” Thompson said. “You go to a meet and see kids hanging on him. He’ll talk to them and these kids fantasize about being the next Dreshaun Ross.

“The thing that people don’t get or see is that he puts in the time and has a great work ethic. Dreshaun has been blessed by God for sure with his DNA and genetics, but he has also put in the time and work, traveling and with club wrestling. That’s what it takes.”

Ayala grabbed the fourth seed. Egli and Yeoman will join him with byes in the first round as seven seeds.

“Bobby is a great coach,” Ayala said. “He’s helped me through this year so much. He’s a great uncle, I just want to make his last year a great one.”

Yeoman is looking to use his disappointment of 2025 as fuel.

“There’s still plenty of work to do this last week of the season, and I plan on standing on that podium come Saturday night,” Yeoman said.

Yeoman is currently 26-11.

“Damien has had a good sophomore season,” Thompson said. “He is better prepared after a tough round last year and is motivated to medal.”

Rial and Brown are the ninth and 10th seeds, respectively. Fraher is the 21.

“(Egli and Brown) have their last shot at medals,” Thompson said. “They’ve both have been so close in the past, with Jesse reaching the blood round.

“Jesse wants to join his brothers on the wall as a medalist.”

Egli (26-8) and Brown (27-7) both went over the 100-win plateau for their respective careers. Brown is now 114-69 and is 19th on the all-time list for victories at FDSH. Egli (114-69) is currently 22nd.

Brown will face Bondurant-Farrar freshman Collin Summers (26-23) in the opening round.

Rial (27-8), who is the son of two-time state champion and current Fort Dodge assistant coach Mark Rial, is looking to reach the podium in his third try. Rial made the quarterfinals last season.

“It’s a really good feeling knowing that I will be back to state and we are sending seven guys to the Casey Center,” Rial said. “I am so proud of our team, putting in the hard work and getting what we wanted.

“But the job isn’t done. We still have to do that in Des Moines.”

Rial will open with 24th-seeded sophomore Joshua Saavedra (28-13) of Dowling.

“Trace has been in a loaded weight class all season, and you saw that at districts,” Thompson said. “He’s had some tough matches, and he has answered the call. He won (a title) at Cedar Rapids Jefferson and was third at the (Ed) Winger (Invitational in Urbandale).”

Fraher (21-15), who missed 2024-25 with an injury he suffered late in the football campaign, is looking to make the most of his only opportunity.

“Making it to state has been a part of the plan since the start of the year,” Fraher said. “Having a setback with surgery just made me want to make it even more as a senior.”

Fraher’s first round opponent will be 12th-seeded Jirech Gaye (17-9), a junior from Urbandale.

“Caiden has gone through a lot as far as wrestling goes,” Thompson said. “He’s been wrestling since he was a kid, but never been able to fully maintain his health.

“He has put in his time as a senior. Anything can happen.”

The Dodgers will open the state tournament on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

SCHEDULE

Wednesday

4 p.m. – Class 3A, first round, second round, second round consolations

Thursday

9 a.m. – Class 1A first round, second round, second round consolations

2:30 p.m. – Class 2A first round, second round, second round consolations

2:30 p.m. – Class 3A quarterfinals, consolations

Friday

9 a.m. – Class 1A and 2A quarterfinals, consolations

5 p.m. – Class 1A, 2A and 3A semifinals, consolations

Saturday

9 a.m. – All classes consolations semifinals and finals

5:15 p.m. – All Classes, Awards, Grand March, Finals