-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge 3A State qualifiers are, left to right, Front Row: Koy Davidson, Joe Constable, Trace Rial, Jesse Egli, Dreshaun Ross Back Row: Rylee Brown, Damien Yeoman, Hunter Richardson, Jayce Skow

DES MOINES — Every year Bobby Thompson sees something different in Fort Dodge’s wrestling, but it always comes back to the Dodger pedigree.

It’s built in. It’s something Dodger wrestlers see at a young age and carry it over through graduation and back at reunions.

“In the 20 years I’ve been coaching the program, every year is a different group and they remind me of every year in the past,” Thompson said. “There is always someone that is really special to you and they have a tight bond that keeps that Dodger mystique going.

“It’s really fun watching these guys get ready. They keep it light hearted and fun. These guys are a family and it carries over. I say it all the time, it started with Fred Cooper and then Don Miller and it just keeps building.”

Thompson will have nine Dodgers competing for state medals. It’s a mix of five returnees, including two defending state champions and four newcomers.

“This is a pretty tight bunch of kids with a couple of seniors,” Thompson said. “Having Dreshaun come back and Koy, really brought these guys together in the second part of the season.”

Senior Koy Davidson (144), an Oregon State commit, will make his fourth trip, looking for his second state title and third trip to the championship round.

“I think as a team we’ve been really close like a brotherhood coming in and pushing each other to be the best,” Davidson said. “Now it’s just time to put everything they got into these last few matches.

“No matter what the outcome is, I’ll always be proud of my teammates and the city of Fort Dodge — #once a Dodger always a Dodger.”

Oklahoma State bound junior Dreshaun Ross (215) is aiming to become Fort Dodge’s third three-time champion.

“Koy is a great leader and probably leads more by example than verbally,” Thompon said. “He does a great job warming the guys up. We’ve done a captains practice a few times with Dreshaun and Koy. I had a couple of coaches come up to me and said they couldn’t believe how our guys were warming up.

“It just shows the leadership that has been passed down through the years and Koy and Dreshaun continue that.”

Juniors Rylee Brown (157) and Jesse Egli (175) are in their third trips, while sophomore Trace Rial (106) is going back-to-back.

A four-pack of rookies, senior Hunter Richardson (150), sophomores Joe Constable (285) and Jayce Skow (165) and freshman Damien Yeoman (113), will have their first experiences.

Davidson will look to make his stamp on Fort Dodge history. He enters the state tournament with a record of 142-18 and currently sits in eight on the all-time list, with Dru Ayala (153-16) ahead of him.

The future Beaver is 34-2. He won the 138 pound title and was crowned the state tournament wrestler of the meet in 2024. Davidson was in the finals as a freshman and placed fourth in his sophomore campaign.

Davidson is the three seed and will await the winner of Will Casey (32-8) of Western Dubuque and Mandius Volentine (42-15) of Lewis Central. Davidson beat Volentine for the district championship.

“Winning a state title has definitely been on his (Davidson) radar,” Thompson said. “He has had some nagging injuries, but he has gotten through that and knows his target at the end.

“He wants to go out with a bang. If he gets to that final, he’ll cement his legacy.”

Southeast Polk’s Justis Jesuroga (30-3) is the top-seed and Valley’s JahKari Clark (36-2) is the No. 2 seed.

Ross (16-0), who just announced his commitment to the Cowboys, has now won 100 straight matches in a shortened season.

“I’m extremely proud of our team and how they performed and showed what they are capable of,” Ross said. “Having nine guys qualify is super exciting and I can’t wait to watch them at state.”

The Dodger junior returned to the lineup mid-January after recovering from shoulder surgery. He currently sits eighth on Fort Dodge’s all-time win list with a mark of 107-2. He is behind 2009 graduate Cody Marsh (110).

Ross, the top-seed at 215, suffered his last defeat on Dec. 2 of 2022 to McCrae Hagarty of Waverly-Shell Rock.

“Dreshaun is just amazing and his attitude is one of his best attributes,” Thompson said. “When he was hurt, I think it bothered him not being in there.

“He is motivated and excited — and that’s contagious.”

Egli (33-11) and Brown (34-16) have had strong seasons in the junior campaign, and after four combined trips, look to earn a spot on the podium.

“Jesse is peaking at the right time,” Thompson said. “He is getting more hungry and focused and I saw that in his brothers their junior years. There is an Egli legacy on the wall and he wants to be a part of that and that’s pretty motivating.”

Egli, now 86-59 in his career, is the 10th seed at 175. The youngest of the Egli brothers (Duke, Jonah, Levi and Ben) will face senior Clayton Isham (24-19) of Clear Creek-Amana (24-19) in the first round.

“Winning districts was a huge confidence boost for me,” Egli said. “Now it’s time to go down to Wells Fargo and get some hardware with the fellas.”

Brown, the 11th-seed, is 89-61 in three seasons. He’ll face senior Ben Haughey (33-15) of Clear Creek-Amana.

“Rylee is ready to get on the podium,” Thompson said. “He sees the prize at the end of the tunnel. The first time down there he was a little overwhelmed, but now it’s time to see where he stands.”

Rial (22-5), the son of two-time state champion and assistant Fort Dodge coach Mark Rial, made a splash with a state spot a year ago.

“I am so proud of our team,” Rial said. “We have been putting in the hard work and getting what we want.

“The job isn’t done, we still have to get the job done in Des Moines.”

Now Rial, the fifth seed, is looking to earn a medal. Rial will await the winner of Hudson Fleming (29-20) of Bettendorf and Waterloo East’s Mariyon Norton (26-11).

“Trace has a great advantage with his injury with Mark,” Thompson said. “He has helped him get mentally prepared and he’s ready to go.”

Sophomore Joe Constable (38-6), who was behind Ross last season, has earned the No. 5 seed at 285 pounds.

“Being a part of the Fort Dodge wrestling team and wrestling for coach Thompson has been an awesome experience,” Constable said. “I love to go to battle with my teammates.”

He will await the winner of Bryce Stewart (19-17) of North Scott and Anthony Snoodey (22-9) of Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

“Joe may not have had a shot to qualify last year, but he’s a seasoned wrestler,” Thompson said. “He has a great approach to his matches and loves to compete.”

Richardson (21-24), who has been a part of the program for four seasons, punched his state ticket with a third place showing at districts.

“This is a huge accomplishment for Hunter,” Thompson said. “Where he came from in the start until now, is huge. He has been here for four years and never complained and battled for starting positions. He kept hanging in there.

“He got determined in the second part of the season.”

The Dodger seniors first round opponent will be No. 9 senior Brady Jennings (34-4) of Clinton on opening day.

Skow (15-22), who fought through injuries this season, also placed third and will meet ninth-seeded senior Wes Anderson (8-2) of Waukee.

“This is a testament to Jayce’s character,” Thompson said. “He fought through injuries and illness and had a great mentality to step out there and qualify.”

Yeoman (33-17), the lone Dodger freshman qualifier has been wrestling up a weight all season, but has accumulated 33 wins.

“It’s been an amazing year, the team has really come together,” Yeoman said. “We are always in each other’s corners, and it’s been great to learn from the upperclassmen.”

He enters as a district runner up and the 18th seed. He’ll face No. 15 Elliot Gnewuch (24-7) a sophomore for Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

“Damien is definitely undersized, but that didn’t matter when he won 33 matches,” Thompson said. “For him to get down here as a freshman and get some Ws is huge.”

Class 3A action begins Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. The Dodgers will also wrestle in the morning on Thursday and Friday.

Saturday’s schedule is consolation semifinals and finals at 9 a.m. The awards, Grand march and finals will start at 5:15 p.m.

Wednesday

9 a.m. 3A First Round, Consolations

1:30 p.m. 1A First Round Consolations

6 p.m. 2A First Round, Consolations

Thursday

9 a.m. 3A Quarters, Consolations

1:30 p.m. 1A Quarters, Consolations

6 p.m. 2A Quarters, Consolations

Friday

9 a.m. 3A Semifinals, Consolations

1:30 p.m. 1A Semifinals, Consolations

6 p.m. 2A Semifinals, Consolations

Sautrday

9 a.m. All Classes Consolation Semis

9 a.m. All Classes Finals

5:15 p.m. Awards

5:15 p.m. Grand March

5:15 p.m. Finals