Iowa Hawkeyes Wrestling Former no.1 Drake Ayala After Getting Knocked Down to 4th Rank Focuses on Grander Picture

Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team holds a dominant force in its domain with impressive numbers recorded so far into the program. However, over the past week, the team experienced a shocker when Drake Ayala, then no.1 and one of the leading Hawkeyes, fell to Matt Ramos in the 125lbs weight class. But when the world gasped, the wrestling star let out a mere breath.

Matt Ramos, the Purdue Boilermakers wrestling talent not only defeated Ayala when he brought him down, but he also broke the Iowa Hawkeyes star’s nine consecutive win streak. In a field defined much by numbers, Ayala defied the odds as he presented his outlook on the results.

Iowa Hawkeye star maintains stature

The Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling recently shared a clip of Drake Ayala’s media interview on the 30th of January. “I hear results right but I don’t really care. It’s like rankings are rankings. They go they change every day so I don’t really look into it so much,” he can be heard saying. What mattered rather more for Ayala was his personal growth and betterment. “The more focused I am on what I can do to get better rather than what’s going on around me, probably the better for me,” he says.

Though Drake Ayala lost his first ranked match of the season against Oregon State’s Branden Kaylor, his next 6 wins out of 9 were against athletes in the same category. Jore Volk, Caleb Smith, and Patrick McKee were a few defeated names framing the Iowa Hawkeye’s wrestling success. Through the wins and losses, this year or past, Ayala has ensured to remain self-aware and learned about the tricks and tactics – a factor helping him gain trust and momentum.

A raise back for Drake Ayala

Following the match against Purdue Boilermakers, the Iowa Hawkeyes took on Illinois for yet another victory. Drake Ayala, forging the past loss, presented a closing act using 6:11 to defeat Justin Cardani via an 18-3 tech fall. The combined effort of the team meant 12 consecutive duals dating back to the 2022-23 season. The streak further continued as the Hawkeyes took on Northwestern Wildcats for 46-0. For the opening win on straight tech. falls for Iowa, it was Ayala using 3:22 to win a 19-4 tech. fall over Massey Odiotti.

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“He’s smart and a competitor,” Brands said earlier in the season about Ayala. “He is a son of a gun on the wrestling mat when he’s ready to go. We know that and that’s where we have to dial him into.” Drake currently ranks No.4 and might find a raise as Iowa Hawkeyes take on Michigan on Feb 2nd next.

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