Completed Event: Wrestling versus Harold Nichols Cyclone Open on January 18, 2026 , , One Champ
Final
Wrestling
Harold Nichols Cyclone Open
One Champ
Iowa State University Athletics
Wrestling
Drake Ayala
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
Two-time NCAA finalist and three-time All-American Drake Ayala was named an assistant coach at Iowa State on May 6, 2026 as part of Brent Metcalf's first coaching staff.
Ayala was a four-time NCAA Qualifier during his standout collegiate career at Iowa and posted an 83-26 career record. He reached the national finals in 2024 and 2025, finishing as runner-up both years, before placing fifth in his final season. Of his 83 career victories, 52 came by bonus-point margin including 31 tech falls, 16 major decisions and five pins.
Last season, Ayala compiled an 18-10 record which included 11 bonus-point victories. He placed third at the Big Ten Championships and fifth at the national tournament while leading the Hawkeyes with seven tech falls on the season.
Following a season competing unattached in 2022-23, Ayala reached the NCAA finals in back-to-back years in 2024 and 2025 with season records of 27-5 and 21-3, respectively. He was the Big Ten runner-up at 133 pounds in 2025.
In 2021-22, Ayala placed eighth at the Big Ten Championships to automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships, becoming just the third true freshman to compete at the NCAA Championships under Tom Brands.
Ayala was a two-time NWCA Scholar All-American and was a three-time winner of Iowa’s John and Dorothy Sill Most Dedicated Wrestler team award.
A Fort Dodge, Iowa native, Ayala had a successful prep wrestling career as a three-time Iowa state champion and four-time finalist. He wrestled to a 171-3 high school record and was a Super 32 champion (2020) and two-time junior freestyle national champion (2019, ’21).
Pollard, Dresser, Metcalf, St. John Wrestling Press Conference
Thursday, April 16
Kevin Dresser Interview (NCAA Championships Session 6)
Saturday, March 21
Kevin Dresser Interview (NCAA Championships Session 4)
Friday, March 20
Yonger Bastida Press Conference (Semifinals)
Friday, March 20
