University of Iowa’s Drake Ayala attempts to take one more step to the top of the podium at NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships

IOWA CITY – Drake Ayala recalled his thoughts during the awards ceremony at last year’s national tournament.

He made a strong run to the 125-pound finals, coming one victory shy of a title and adding to University of Iowa’s lightweight lore. Ayala didn’t feel any solace, wrestling on Saturday night or standing on the podium’s second-highest level.

“I was heartbroken,” Ayala said. “I remember that. That sticks with me. I'll remember that feeling for a while. I wasn't on the top step, so that sticks with me.”

Ayala has followed that performance with an impressive campaign, moving up a weight to 133 and earning the No. 2 seed at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Action begins Thursday at 11 a.m. (Iowa time).

“This is this is the greatest time of the year,” said Ayala, who owns a 16-2 record coming off his Big Ten Championships runner-up finish. “I mean, this is like Christmas for me. So, I'm super excited. It's going to be a fun week.”

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Ayala was the No. 3 seed a year ago, opening with two decisive wins followed by two tight decisions, including one in sudden victory. The two-time national qualifier focused on the opponent directly in front of him, avoiding the trap of dwelling on what had previously happened and what the future could hold.

“You can't look forward,” Ayala said. “You can't look backwards. You’ve got to take it match by match, and I think I did a good job of that last year. I plan to do the same thing this year.”

Iowa Coach Tom Brands said Ayala can be a “force by nature” when he prepares and competes in a specific way. The key is to be dedicated to one approach and don’t waver from it.

“You got to commit to doing one thing or commit to doing the other,” Brands said. “And when he's committed, then there's no issues there. And that's the difference.”

Ayala has not only grown physically, handling the eight-pound jump well. His slick style and wrestling skills have made him one of the nation’s best at Fort Dodge High School and his time with the Hawkeyes.

This season has included mental gains, becoming more mature dealing with setbacks, like his first loss at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in November.

“There's a lot,” Ayala said. “I grew up a lot this year. I don't know if I'd say that about me last year. I've been through some ups and downs.”

One of those downs came at the Big Ten tournament. He lost by pin in the finals to Illinois’ Lucas Byrd, who broke open a scoreless match in the second period by reversing Ayala to his back. Ayala said he has improved from that moment, like last season’s national finals situation, and plans to apply all of the lessons to his upcoming test.

“Some people might think that the biggest takeaway was that I didn't come out on top, but like I said, I grew up a lot in that tournament,” Ayala said. “I learned a lot and I'm going to take that experience with me into this week.”

Ayala owns a 10-2 record against the field. He has outscored them by a combined 96-55. Ayala has tallied six technical falls and three majors this season, posting double-digit points in 12 matches and surpassing 20 points in the four bouts.

Ayala seems to fare better when he wrestles relaxed and willing to light up the scoreboard. More often than not, opponents struggle to match his total.

“It's something that we talk about,” Brands said. “You got to be at peace with your preparation. You got to be at peace with your self-talk. You got to be at peace with what you're trying to accomplish. And he will be at his best when it's time. I have great confidence in Drake Ayala.

“I have great confidence in all our guys. That's where we're at. It's that time.”

Ayala is one of nine Hawkeyes in the tournament. Like Ayala, 197-pounder Stephen Buchanan (21-1) is the No. 2 seed. Michael Caliendo (20-2) matched Ayala and Buchanan with a second-place showing at the Big Ten tournament. Caliendo is the No. 3 seed at 165.

Freshman heavyweight Ben Kueter (18-6) and four-time All-American 149-pounder Kyle Parco (20-3) are seeded eighth. Gabe Arnold, who also capped his prep career at Iowa City High with Kueter, is the No. 11 seed at 184 for Iowa. The Hawkeyes’ Patrick Kennedy is the No. 11 at 174.

Kueter is coming off a third-place finish at his first conference tournament and will make his NCAA debut.

“The biggest thing is just keep a good thing going,” Kueter said. “Big Tens was an all-right tournament. I didn't win, so it's not a great tournament, but I think I matured a lot in that tournament and kind of found my type of wrestling again. Kind of what I'm used to and that's just winning gritty matches.

“I'm just going to keep that going. Same mentality at nationals.”

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