Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge's Jesse Egli was crowned a district champion at 190 pounds on Saturday in the Dodger gym. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

For one final time, Fort Dodge’s Dreshaun Ross will make a trip to the state wrestling tournament in Des Moines.

The icing on the cake for the top-ranked 285-pounder? He’s going with his friends.

Ross and three senior classmates — along with three other Dodgers — will try to make their mark inside the Casey’s Center this week.

Ross (31-0) is again joined by senior four-time state qualifiers Rylee Brown (ranked 9th at 165 according to IAwrestle) and Jesse Egli (7th at 190), as well as senior first-timer Caiden Fraher (157).

“It means a lot to get back and try to win another state title for Fort Dodge and for my family,” Ross said. “Going with three classmates that I’ve grown up with means a lot and makes the trip even more exciting to watch them try and achieve their goals.

“The seven (total) just makes it more special considering how close-knit we are as a team. We’re sort of like one big family.”

Sixth-rated junior Trace Rial (120), and No. 6 sophomore Damien Yeoman (113) will be headed to Des Moines for the third and second time, respectively, while fourth-ranked freshman Knox Ayala (106) is beginning his career on the big stage.

“I’m super excited for state,” Ayala said. “It’s something I’ve looked forward to for very long time not only for myself, but I get to represent Fort Dodge, my family and Team Sebolt.”

With five wrestlers returning to state, Ross is the lone medalist. He is looking to become Fort Dodge’s second four-time state champion.

“It was a good day and a bitter-sweet day at the same time,” said FDSH head coach Bobby Thompson. “Having seven guys advance was great to see.

“We had some seniors who missed out, and some young guys who were close that will be back next season.”

Ross, Egli and Ayala were district champs, while Yeoman, Rial and Brown won true second-place matches after losing in the finals. Fraher placed third.

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.

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

Ross spent little time on the mat, Saturday, picking up two first period tech falls, both by a score of 21-6. He topped Aiden Curtis (33-8) of Indianola in the finals.

“Heavyweight was a solid class,” Thompson said. “Dreshaun is just that much more talented. He goes out and dominates.”

Egli (26-8) earned a fall, a tech fall, and won the crown with a 14-3 major decision over Alex Graeve.

“It means a lot to be making a run with this team,” Egli said.

The Dodger senior is now 114-69 in his career.

“Jesse dominated all day,” Thompson said. “He has really wrestled strong as of late.”

Ayala (27-5) cruised through the field with two technical falls by identical 21-5 scores.

“Knox wrestled well against a tough kid in the finals,” Thompson said. “He attacked and was aggressive.”

The FDSH freshman knocked off Chandler Brown (31-9) of Indianola in 5:22.

Yeoman (26-11) reached the finals with a fall, but then lost to fourth-rated Cain Crosson (34-2) of Indianola by a 12-3 major decision.

“It feels good to be back,” Yeoman said. “I left a lot out to get there last year, so to go back to Des Moines will be fun.”

Yeoman earned the second-place finish with a 9-2 win over Brody Westrem of Bondurant-Farrar.

“The last time Damien faced Crosson, he got teched,” Thompson said. “He came out and wrestled aggressively (in the finals) and got the first takedown.”

Rial (27-8) picked up a pin in the semifinals before dropping a tight 7-2 match to fourth-rated Zander Manz (37-3) of Lewis Central.

“Trace has been wrestling well,” Thompson said. “He had a chance in the finals, but just got turned.

“Sometimes it’s hard to come back after a loss like that, but he did it in overtime again.”

The oldest son of two-time FDSH state champion Mark Rial won the true second-place match with a 9-6, SV-1 win over Sawyer Nelson of Indianola. Rial trailed 6-2 late in the third, but picked up a tilt to tie the contest and send it to OT.

“It was a good feeling knowing I won the match being down in the beginning and coming back,” Rial said. “This has been a great season with our team.”

Brown (26-7) prevailed by major decision in the semis before falling 18-3 to No. 1 Mac Crosson of Indianola.

“I worked so hard through the season to make it to this time of year at state,” Brown said. “It means a lot, being a senior and a four-time state qualifier and (headed to) Des Moines next week with my teammates to make memories.”

Brown clinched the silver medal with a 23-10 win over Collin Summers of Bondurant-Farrar. Brown is now 117-70 in his career.

“Just like Trace, Rylee was able to bounce back,” Thompson said. “It takes a lot to put that behind you and get mentally strong enough to earn a win.”

Fraher (21-15) lost in the semifinals, but earned a fall in the consolation semis and then took care of Layton Wright of Lewis Central 13-7 to clinch his state spot.

“All day, I was told to wrestle my match and to be smart,” Fraher said. “By doing that I was able to achieve a goal that I’ve been working toward since I started wrestling.”

Thompson appreciated Fraher’s patience and perseverance.

“Caiden has gone through a lot in his career with injuries,” Thompson said. “It’s good for him to get down there as a senior and see what he can do.”

Freshman Aaron Perez (126), senior Hunter Kasperbauer (132), and sophomore Amari McCaleb (150) all finished fourth.

“It’s great to take the (seven) kids down there, but it also hurts to see the other guys miss out,” Thompson said. “Seniors Angel Sandoval and Hunter Kasperbauer have put a lot into this program in their four years. I just home they have fond memories of the program.

“Amari and Aaron had a chance, but they came up just short. They’ll be back.”

The Dodgers will open the state tournament on Wednesday at 4 p.m. inside the Casey’s Center in Des Moines.