Submitted by Kendall Ryan Photography: Dreshaun Ross, a recent Fort Dodge Senior High graduate and four-time Dodger state wrestling champion, reacts to his U20 title on Friday at the World Team Trials in Ohio.

GENEVA, Ohio — Dreshaun Ross of Fort Dodge showed once again here on Friday why he should never be doubted at the U20 World Team Trials.

After falling to Coby Merrill via technical fall in the first match of their best-of-three series, Ross rallied with a vengeance in the next two bouts, securing a spot on the USA junior world team alongside the likes of Bo Bassett, Aaron Seidel and Michael Boyle.

Ross, an Oklahoma State University commit, and Merrill — a future Iowa State Cyclone — squared off in what would be the only matchup that needed a third round of action.

The four-time Fort Dodge Senior High state champ scored a 9-2 decision in the second round at 125kg, then ended it with a 7-1 decision over Merrill in the final.

Back in April, Merrill topped Ross, 8-6, to win the U20 Nationals, securing a bye to the finals of the World Team Trials. Ross, meanwhile, earned his spot opposite Merrill in the gold-medal round by downing Michael Mocco earlier in the tournament with an 11-0 technical fall and a 56-second fall vs. Dillon Bechtold.

As a Dodger, Ross went a remarkable 145-2 for his career, winning his last 137 consecutive matches. His two losses came as a freshman to current NCAA Div. I wrestlers in Penn State’s Cole Mirasola and Iowa State’s McCrae Hagarty — a loss he avenged later that year.

Earlier this spring, Ross was named the 2026 Bob Steelage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year, the Dan Gable Mr. Wrestler of the Year in Class 3A, and Dave Schultz Midwest Region wrestler of the year.

Ross was a six-time Tulsa Nationals champion as a youth, and earned the coveted Trinity Award five times. He was a Junior Nationals champion at Fargo in 2022, 2023 and 2025, winning the 16U title as a 14-year-old and the 15U Greco-Roman and freestyle crowns.

Rounding out the roster will be Isaiah Cortez, Landon Robideau, Jayden James, Ryan Burton, Aeoden Sinclair and Jimmy Mastny.

The World Championships are set for Aug. 16-23 in Bratislava, Slovakia. The United States has won 210 total medals at the event all-time, including 52 golds.

Last year, Team USA was crowned freestyle champions with Iran winning the Greco-Roman portion. Cole Mirasola of the United States shared the bronze medal on the 2025 team.