Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge's Dreshaun Ross does a back flip after winning a third state title on Saturday in Des Moines. For more photos, visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — The landing maybe wasn’t perfect, but the show Dreshaun Ross put on was still nothing short of spectacular.

The Fort Dodge junior had just wrapped up a third state championship on Saturday night when he sent the Wells Fargo Arena crowd into an frenzy. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Dodger superstar did a round-off cartwheel into a backflip, leaping into the air in a moment of joy after further cementing his legacy.

Thanks to his efforts in the tournament — capped by a dominant technical fall victory over previously-unbeaten Jean Ngoma of Cedar Rapids Xavier — Ross was named the IHSSN wrestler of the state tournament, joining Dodger teammate Koy Davidson (2024) as back-to-back winners from the same program.

Ross became Fort Dodge’s third three-time state champion ever, joining icons Brody Teske (four) and Drake Ayala (three).

The usually-subdued Oklahoma State recruit was flowing with energy after the chippy title match.

“There’s definitely a difference between my first, second and third, but this one for sure is one of my favorites considering how it went,” Ross said. “I was extremely excited after this one — more than I usually was because of how it was with (Ngoma) coming at me and wrestling the way he did.

“It definitely intensified the entire match, and made it feel that much better when I got the win.”

Ngoma came at Ross aggressively in the early going, hand fighting and pushing his head. He broke Ross’ head gear, which seemed to wake the quiet champion.

“He (Ngoma) was just in survival mode and trying to keep going,” Thompson said. “Their coach apologized afterward. It is what it is.

“It was just a high school kid who got chippy and Dreshaun is going to respond with his actions. Dreshaun was just having fun.”

Ngoma’s style didn’t deter Ross, who was business as usual, recording takedown after takedown for one more overwhelming win.

Ross negated any kind of momentum Ngoma was trying to build, recording four takedowns and four near-fall points for an 18-2 victory in 5:37.

Ngoma was the first opponent to make it out of the first period in the state tournament against Ross, and just fourth this season.

“I watched Dreshaun warm up when we were sitting in the tunnel,” Thompson said. “He does a phenomenal job of how he approaches the match physically and mentally, then transfers it all to his emotions on the mat.”

In the first round, Ross had a fall in 1:01, followed by a 21-6 tech fall in 1:16 and a two-minute, 20-4 tech fall in the semifinals. The Dodger outscored his opponents at state, 68-14. All 14 points were escapes, as no one managed to record a takedown on Ross this year.

It was the eighth time that a Ross family member has competed for a state championship. Dreshaun has three, sister Alexis is a three-time finalist and one-time champ, and brother Damarion is a two-time finalist and one-time gold medalist.

This is also the 13th medal overall at state for the siblings. Alongside Dreshaun’s accomplishments, Alexis has a title, two runner-ups and a third-place finish. Damarion also took seventh. Drevon Ross, a 2019 FDSH graduate, was fourth and eighth twice.

“My family and friends are the best in the world,” Ross said. “I wouldn’t be where I’m at or who I am without them.

“I’m just grateful to have such an amazing support system that I can reach out to if I ever need anything.”

It was a different type of season for Ross (20-0), who wasn’t able to get on the mat until mid-January. After going 47-0 a year ago, he suffered a shoulder injury at Fargo Nationals and had to sit out from early August until after the new year.

Ross, who hasn’t lost a high school match since Dec. 2, 2022 against McRae Hagarty of Waverly-Shell Rock, has now won 104 straight matches and is 111-2 in his career. He moved into 25th on Fort Dodge’s all-time win list with a season still to go, passing Brad Bruhl (1988), Cody McClintock (2005) and Cody Marsh (2009).

He is now tied with Cole Clarken (2010), Pat Rial (1999), Duke Egli (2013) and current Fort Dodge Community School District Superintendent Josh Porter (1999) on the career victory charts at FDSH.

The future Cowboy became the 67th Dodger ever to capture a state championship.

“It’s definitely a cool achievement and I’m in with some great company,” Ross said. “Koy not wrestling hurt for sure, but I was extremely excited for him (up to that point) because I knew he was going to win his second title. Unfortunately it had to end that way, but it’s best for his future and long-term health. What he has the potential to accomplish (down the road) is a hard way to look at it when you’re in the moment.”

Davidson was looking to become Fort Dodge’s 12th multi-time champion. The teammates were able to enjoy their titles together here a year ago.

“I’m extremely proud of Koy and how he handled the situation,” Ross said. “It’s a hard thing to take in and he handled it as best as he possibly could.

“I would have rather not been able to wrestle instead of Koy if that was possible, because I know how much it meant to him — especially with it being his senior year.”

Ross completed his second consecutive unbeaten campaign.

“People need to realize the national attention he is bringing to the program,” Thompson said. “Everyone around the country knows who Dreshaun is now. He’s getting interviewed at the national level and coverage by media world-wide.”

Ross embraces the opportunity and tries to make the most of it all.

“I’m kind of starting to get used to being talked about when I walk past people, or getting asked questions by people I’ve never met,” Ross said. “It’s amazing to know I have a lot of people who look up to me to be not only a good wrestler, but a good person. I know people are always watching.”