It was a strong showing for area wrestlers in State Tournament over the weekend. Day 3 provided some major fireworks. This article will cover the 3rd and final day’s results (we have covered day one and day two in prior articles).

In Class 2A, Southeast Valley’s Aaron Graves finished 4th at 285, in just his 1st high school season on the mat. Graves won by decision 5-0 in Saturday’s consolation Semifinals. He then dropped the 3rd place match in a close 6-3 decision. It was an impressive State debut for the Junior multi-sport standout. The superior athletic ability of Graves was on display as that made up for lack of high school wrestling experience to lift him to a medal at State. His teammate Caelan Oakes also had an appearance at State. Webster City Junior Cam Phetxoumphone won his 2nd straight State Title with a 2-1 decision vistory in the finals. He won it at 106 last season and wrestled at 113 this year. His teammate Freshman Carson Doolittle had a 3rd place finish at 106. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows had 3 medal winners, Reed Abbas was 5th at 138,Garrett Seaba finished 4th at 160, and Kain Nelson was 8th at 220.

In Class 1A, South Central Calhoun’s Blake Mcalister came up just short in the State Finals at 170. He lost by tech fall to finish as the silver medalist in his weight class. His teammate Jayden Soard took 8th at 220. West Hancock had four finish with medals. Kellen Smith was 6th at 120, Bryer Subject was 5th at 160. Matt Francis and Cole Kelly both won bronze at 195 and 220. West Bend Mallard’s Donavan Hanson finished 4th at 113. Dane Johnson of Pocahontas Area took 4th at 285.

In Class 3A, Fort Dodge had 6 medal winners. Freshman Dru Ayala was 5th at 106, Max Bishop took 8th at 113. Lane Ciwell was 4th at 120 and Kody Cook 7th at 160. Dreyzon Phillips fell by decision in the State Finals at 145. That gives Phillips back to back silver medal finishes. At 132, Drake Ayala avenged his only loss in the last 3 seasons. He defeated Ryder Block in the rematch by major decision 11-3. Fort Dodge Coach Bobby Thompson credits Ayala’s competitive nature.

Drake Ayala finishes his career at Fort Dodge with 3 individual State Titles, 4 appearances in the State Finals, and 171 career wins.

Alpha Media Sports presented coverage of the 2021 Iowa State Wrestling Tournament on “Sunny” 99.7 and here on our website. We would like to thank Theresa, Tom and Ryan Hildreth who broadcasted the tournament for us, along with Brock Freeman and Dan Jones who produced it.