A native of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Ayayla is a three - time Iowa state champion and most recently won his third stop sign in Fargo with his second title in junior freestyle in 2021. Ayala has put together a lengthy resume in the state of Iowa, winning the Conflict at Carver in 2018 and the Cliff Keen Independence Invitational that same year. Ayala would finish his freshman season as a runner up in the Iowa high school 3A state tournament at 106 pounds. In that offseason, Ayala won double titles at the Independence tournament, the Iowa freestyle/greco state tournament, and the Northern Plains regional setting him up for Fargo later that summer. Ayala would leave Fargo as an all - american in cadet freestyle after winning a national title the year prior.
Drake Ayala From Iowa To Iowa State | The Bader Show (Ep. 492)
Aug 12, 2026
Drake Ayala was a 2x NCAA finalist and 3x NCAA All-American for the Iowa Hawkeyes. He recently accepted an assistant coaching position at Iowa State.
1:00 - How healthy was Drake this season?
2:00 - The Freshman Fab Four (Jax, Davino, Blaze, Seidel)
4:10 - Last year wasn’t completely smooth for Drake and Hawkeyes
8:00 - Drake’s 2026 NCAAs
11:00 - Iowa’s 2026 NCAAs
13:30 - View of Iowa State as a Hawkeye
15:00 - Iowa - Iowa State rivalry
19:50 - Dealing with a tough year
22:50 - What were his plans for after graduation?
24:45 - How did Iowa State come about?
29:00 - Reactions from Iowa fans
31:45 - Being integrated at Iowa State
32:30 - Difference or similarities between Iowa and Iowa State
36:00 - Learning as a coach
40:20 - Questions from fans
44:30 - How does Drake use AI?
45:45 - Drake’s All-time favorite wrestler
47:20 - Wins and whoopins
