Photo courtesy of Iowa Athletics: Iowa head coach Tom Brands recently held an interview with The Messenger and talked about Fort Dodge’s Drake Ayala and his impact on the Hawkeyes.

IOWA CITY — Tom Brands knew the exact moment he wanted Drake Ayala to be an Iowa Hawkeye.

It was in the Dodger gym, and it didn’t come from something Ayala did on the mat — but rather, after a match.

“It goes way back to when I was in Fort Dodge for a Dodger (dual) against Southeast Polk,” Brands said in an exclusive interview with The Messenger. “He went out and pinned his guy in 13 seconds. After that, he sat down on the bench and watched his teammates. It was more about them than him.

“I’ve known about the Ayala brothers (Drake and Dru) for a long time. We worked really hard to recruit Drake. I knew I had to go go get this guy.”

It was a decision Ayala didn’t regret as he built himself into a two-time national runner-up for Brands and the Hawkeyes.

“Drake is very workman-like,” Brands said. “He takes a lot of pride in his training and shows up as a leader. You should hear our guys talk about him and what they think of him.”

Ayala has always led by example on and off the mat. That has remained true in Iowa City, but the three-time Fort Dodge state champion – who won 171 matches for the Dodgers – has also grown into his roll.

“I think when you grow into certain roles, you have to embrace it,” Brands said. “His maturity level is there when we are in trouble and we’ll get the best out of him.

“He has gotten more vocal as he’s gotten more comfortable. It was natural for him and it’s needed in the ranks. It doesn’t go unnoticed and it’s very appreciated.”

At the college level, working on your craft and keeping to your training pattern helps others feed off of it.

“He is quiet about his abilities and he takes a lot of pride in it,” Brands said. “He does his job at the highest level and is the guy in the environment and the realm he needs to be in.

“It is a very disciplined approach and is noticed by his teammates. Our freshmen talk about him. He is a big impact.”

Ayala is entering the final stretch of his career as a Hawkeye. He heads to State College, Pa. as the fifth seed in the Big Ten Championships.

Ayala is a three-time national qualifier.

He was only the third true freshman under Brands to qualify for the national tournament after an eighth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships.

During a redshirt season, he went 13-1, competing unattached for the Hawkeyes.

As his career is wrapping up, Brands was glad to have Ayala on campus and in the wrestling room.

“Drake Ayala is an Iowa homegrown wrestler,” Brands said. “Our fans love him. Our administration loves him. He’s serious about wrestling and academics.

“He sets the tone as a lightweight and is a very unselfish leader. He makes the ranks and trenches better for our program.”