Photo by K.J. Pilcher, for The Messenger: Fort Dodge's Dreshaun Ross takes control of the 215-pound title match at the Cedar Rapids Jefferson Invitational on Saturday.

CEDAR RAPIDS — Dreshaun Ross said he counted down the days for his return to competition.

Apparently, his teammates did the same as he worked back from surgery from an offseason shoulder injury.

“We have a little joke going, but it’s been a long time coming with the recovery, rehab and all that stuff,” Ross said. “It’s good to be back.”

Good for the junior superstar and the Dodgers. Not so much for the opponents of the two-time state champion.

Ross recorded two pins and two technical falls, claiming the 215-pound title of the J-Hawk Invitational Saturday at Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

Senior Koy Davidson joined Ross atop the awards stand, helping Fort Dodge finish sixth with 140 points.

Ross wrestled a total of 7 minutes, 23 seconds in his four bouts, including a 19-4 technical in just 3:08 over Alburnett’s Eaghan Fleshman, who is ranked fifth in Class 1A.

“I felt pretty good out there,” Ross said. “Definitely, a little rusty, I’d say. I have some things to fix for not wrestling for so long.

“We’re working on it. We’ll be alright the next time out.”

Ross reached the finals with a 23-4 technical fall over Iowa City High’s No. 11 Raphael Etuma. He opened with pins of 40 and 48 seconds. Ross outscored opponents, 57-11, tallying 16 takedowns. His performance garnered the tournament’s G. Wyatt Schultz Outstanding Wrestler honor voted on by coaches.

“It’s something that comes along with it,” Ross said of the accolades. “I just try to come out here and get it done as fast as I can.

“It’s just how I wrestle and try to score points. Get over with it fast. It’s a good thing.”

Ross (5-0), who had surgery late in the summer and was forced to miss the football season, finally returned to action last Thursday in Ames. The junior is a consensus Top-5 overall high school wrestler nationally in the Class of 2026.

Davidson — an Oregon State University recruit — posted four bonus-point victories, including a 14-4 major decision over Alburnett’s Cooper Franklin in the 144 final.

Fort Dodge finished with seven medalists. Sophomore Joe Constable (28-4) was runner-up at heavyweight, while freshman Damien Yeoman (24-13 at 106), junior Rylee Brown (24-12 at 157) and junior 175-pounder Jesse Egli (23-8) all placed third.

Hunter Richardson was seventh at 150.

The Dodgers, who were open at five weights, still managed to place sixth with 140 points. Alburnett (270 points) was the run-away champion, followed by Waukee Northwest (189), Bondurant-Farrar (164.5), Pleasant Valley (158.5), Dallas Center-Grimes (157.5) and FDSH.