Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Koy Davidson of Fort Dodge wrestles during a home meet in the Dodger gym.

Koy Davidson still isn’t completely over what happened to him at the state wrestling tournament.

With time and perspective, though, Fort Dodge’s senior star has found both acceptance and peace in the fact that a frustrating final high school chapter didn’t change the book on a decorated high school career.

Davidson secured a third trip to the championship round with a thrilling semifinal victory at 144 pounds over West Des Moines Valley’s JahKari Clark. The victory came with a price, though, as Davidson suffered a spinal injury that kept him from advancing and abruptly ended his season one step shy of a title defense.

“When the doctors broke the news to me, I was obviously devastated and upset,” said Davidson, who was diagnosed with a compression fracture of his T4 through T8 vertebrae. “Looking back now, though, I realize it was the best decision for the long run. I’ve got a lot more wrestling ahead of me, and I’m very eager to get back on the mat and into workouts.

“It’s just a matter of patience and time. I’m getting closer to 100 percent each day, but it’s going to take a while to get to where I was before. (Today’s focus is on) being able to recover fully before college.”

Davidson won 145 matches as a Dodger, which ranks him among the all-time leaders in program history. He became just the sixth Dodger athlete to reach the finals three times, and was named the 2024 state tournament’s wrestler of the meet when he denied Carter Freeman a fourth state title in the 138-pound championship match.

“Throughout my career, I’ve learned how to overcome adversity and push through when things don’t go my way,” Davidson said. “I’ve also learned the importance of building relationships – with teammates, coaches and teachers – who have all played a part in helping me get to where I am today.

“I hope my legacy as a Dodger wrestler is that I was respectful, hard working, gritty and that I persevered, while also being a good role model for younger kids.”

Davidson felt a personal responsibility to extend the lineage of the sport in Fort Dodge after always being in the middle of it all. Davidson’s cousins – Drake Ayala, Dru Ayala and Riley Lindner – all experienced elite levels of success on the state scene through the years.

“Growing up and competing here has meant the world to me,” Davidson said. “I’ve looked up to generations of wrestlers and people in our community my whole life, so it just means that much more to me and to us.

“Our community is second to none, and it makes being a Dodger even more special.”

Davidson will be headed to Corvallis and Oregon State University to continue his career after graduation. He will be the eighth Div. I wrestling prospect to come out of Fort Dodge in the last decade, joining Sam Cook (Iowa), Triston Lara (Northern Iowa and Oregon State), Brody Teske (Penn State, Northern Iowa and Iowa), Cayd Lara (Northern Iowa), Drew Bennett (Northern Iowa and Iowa), Drake Ayala (Iowa) and Dreshaun Ross (Oklahoma State).

“Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve dreamed of competing at the Division 1 level,” Davidson said. “It’s always been a goal of mine. What I’m most looking forward to is reaching my full potential – both as a student and an athlete – and becoming the best version of myself. I’m also excited to build new relationships with my teammates and coaches along the way.”

TIMEOUT WITH KOY DAVIDSON

Vacation destination: Bahamas.

People I would like to have dinner with: Lamar Jackson and Michael Jordan.

It would surprise people that I: don’t like video games.

My sports role model: Jordan Burroughs.

My everyday role model: my parents.

I can’t go a day without: eating breakfast.

Nickname: KD.

Most heated rivalry: Southeast Polk.

Favorite road trip: driving to Colorado with my grandpa, brother and cousin.

What are you listening to right now: “Squad” by Chief Keef.

What is your go to song? Anything by NBA Youngboy.

Favorites…

Team: Cubs, Panthers, and Lakers.

Athlete: Johnny Manziel.

Class: Sociology.

Movie: Project X.

Book: “Win in the Dark.”

Phone app: Snapchat.