Drake Ayala closes career at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in fitting fashion, lifts Iowa to 19-17 win over Michigan

IOWA CITY – Drake Ayala’s final match at Carver-Hawkeye Arena was apropos of his career.

The two-time NCAA finalist built a reputation on wrestling with a high pace that normally produces lots of takedowns and points.

So, in front of the home crowd for the last time, taking the mat in the final bout and with the team victory hinging on his ability to score bonus points, Ayala delivered.

Ayala tallied seven takedowns and scored a 21-5 technical fall over Gauge Botero at 133 pounds, lifting No. 7 Iowa to a 19-17 win over No. 10 Michigan Friday on Senior Night.

“It was a fitting end,” Ayala said. “I did it for my team, for my family and wrestled how Drake Ayala wrestles.”

Ayala said he was hoping to avoid the dramatics and have the traditional lightest to heaviest match order. Michigan won the pre-dual coin flip, electing to start at 141.

“We were in weigh-ins and I was thinking I hope this is like a normal dual and I’m second match,” Ayala said. “We lose the flip. I’m like, ‘(Iowa assistant Ryan) Morningstar, dude, you’ve lost every time this year.’ He’s like that one wasn’t me. I swear it wasn’t me who flipped it.

“Then, they’re like 141. I’m like, ‘Oh no, I know what this is. I know what’s going to happen here.’ “

The Hawkeyes won four of the last five bouts, including two overtime wins and a decision from a freshman. He was dialed in on his own job but it was impossible to ignore the circumstances that unfolded. Ayala was fully aware of what was at stake.

“You’ve got to focus on your match, but then again, you’re in the arena. You know what’s going on,” Ayala said. “So, it’s kind of hard not to, but I knew if I just wrestled my match I’d do what I was capable of.”

With Iowa needing at least a major decision (a victory from eight to 14 points), Ayala scored two takedowns in the first and then blew everything open with five more, terminating the match in just 4:25. The Hawkeyes erupted and so did the crowd.

“He kept taking him down and it just kept getting crazier and crazier,” 197-pounder Harvey Ludington said. “it put a big smile on my face because Drake just doesn’t stop. Each takedown kept getting more hyped.”

Iowa (11-5, 4-3) won its second straight dual and travels to Purdue Sunday with a regular-season finale at No. 3 Oklahoma State. This was a good sign as the postseason approaches.

“You’re getting to the time of year, being at our best is important,” Brands said. “Tacking down points is important. Building leads is important. So, we’re going to Purdue and that’s next. We just have to keep working on the things that are important. If they’re not showing up, and it’s February 13, then they have to show up on the 14th and then the 15th when we go to Purdue.”

Ludington had a crucial win, following Gabe Arnold’s gutsy win with riding-time advantage in tiebreakers over No. 7 Brock Mantanona at 184. Iowa trailed by five with four matches left and needed one of the next two against ranked foes to stay alive.

Ludington scored a takedown in the first, managed a key escape late in the second that also produced a penalty point for locked hands and added an escape in the third for a 6-4 decision over No. 19 Hayden Walters. He received his first ovation.

“It’s awesome,” said Ludington, a three-time New Jersey state champion. “I’ve never felt anything like that.”

Ludington had lost some similar matches earlier this season. He showed his maturity and growth, making this one go his way. Ludington said he was patient and constantly checked himself during the match. He also received encouragement from Brands, emphasizing to believe in himself the way the coaches had faith in him.

“I think I’ve learned I need to have that confidence in myself and I have the cardio to wrestle seven minutes,” Ludington said. “It’s just whether I keep my mind in it or not. Whether I keep fighting.

“That’s what I’ve learned about myself so far. Learned that I can score points and put them on the board. Just have to be patient sometimes.”

Brands said Ludington will complete his season against the Boilermakers and maintain his redshirt, wrestling freestyle in the offseason.

“Ludington is a super competitor,” Brands said. “We are working with him daily. We are glad we have a long future with him.”

Arnold and Ludington sparked the second-half comeback that Ayala capped. Ayala praised both for their performances.

“Do you know how impressive it is to me what he’s doing for himself and this team? How unselfish he is,” Ayala said. “That speaks volumes. I look at that and I’m like wow. I strive to be like that.

“And then, Harvey, excuse my language but he had some big balls to finish that match like that. We needed that. He knew it. He’s a true freshman and I’m proud of that kid.”

Dean Peterson added a 4-1 sudden-victory win over Diego Sotelo to set up Ayala’s heroics.

Senior Michael Caliendo notched the lone Iowa win in the first half of the meet. He tallied seven takedowns in a 21-6 technical fall over Justin Gates at 165, getting Iowa on the board and within 10-5 through four weights.

The decisive wins from Caliendo and Ayala were indicative of their impact on the program and the dual.

“Important to the team, for sure,” Brands said. “Those are five-point wins. Each of them. There was never a question. I’m going to feel it out and see if this guy is going to crack or not. Just foot on the gas. Smart wrestling. Foot on the gas. They just went out and got the tech fall.”

Iowa overcame a rocky start that saw them drop the first three matches and four of the first five, falling behind 10-0 early and 13-5 at the midway point.

“They came in here,” Brands said. “Didn’t look good. Gave up some bonus points early.

“Had some tough wins after the break with Arnold. Give him credit. Ludington, give him credit. Peterson wins an overtime match. You see how quick he is. Ayala, exclamation mark on it.”

AT IOWA CITY

Iowa 19, Michigan 17

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

141 pounds – Dylan Ragusin (M) major dec. Kale Petersen, 11-2 (3,0); 149 – Lachlan McNeil (M) dec. Ryder Block, 8-3 (2,1); 157 – Cameron Catrabone (M) dec. Jordan Williams, 5-4 (1,1); 165 – Michael Caliendo (I) tech. fall Justin Gates, 21-6 (7,0); 174 – Beau Mantanona (M) dec. Patrick Kennedy, 6-3 SV (1,0); 184 – Gabe Arnold (I) dec. Brock Mantanona, 3-2 (0,0); 197 – Harvey Ludington (I) dec. Hayden Walters, 6-4 (1,0); 285 – Taye Ghadiali (M) major dec. Ben Kueter, 10-0 (2,0); 125 – Dean Peterson (I) dec. Diego Sotelo, 4-1 SV (1,0); 133 – Drake Ayala (I) tech. fall Gauge Botero, 21-5 (7,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – Michigan 10, Iowa 18. Reversals – Michigan 1, Iowa 0. Escapes – Michigan 21, Iowa 9. Nearfall points – Michigan 2, Iowa 0. Penalty points (awarded) – Michigan 0, Iowa 2. Riding-time points – Michigan 3, Iowa 1. Total match points – Michigan 58, Iowa 66. Attendance – 11,483. Officials – Matt Sorochinsky, Michael Frederiksen.

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