Incoming Iowa Wrestling recruits Drake Ayala and Caleb Rathjen will be competing at Junior Nationals. The competition for Juniors begins at 8 AM Sunday in the FargoDome in Fargo, North Dakota. Ayala will be competing at 126 lbs. and Rathjen at 145 lbs.
Ayala was a three time state champion at Fort Dodge (Iowa) where he racked up a 171-3 career record as a four time finalist. Ayala has won two national titles in freestyle and a Super 32 title. He was named as the Bob Steenlage High School Wrestler of the Year.
Rathjen was a two-time state champion at Ankeny (Iowa) and was a two-time Cadet Freestyle All American.
Ayala and Rathjen are members of the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2021 and will be a freshman at the University of Iowa this fall.
Iowa Wrestling Assistant Coach Ryan Morningstar will be the head freestyle coach for Team Iowa. The Iowa Junior and Cadet Freestyle teams are loaded with talent and should be fun to watch.
The Cadet and Junior division of this tournament is a snapshot into the future of college and International wrestling in our country and should be very, very entertaining.
FloWrestling will have coverage of Cadet and Junior Nationals for all styles and divisions on their premium service.
I will keep you up to date right here with results for Ayala and Rathjen at Junior Nationals.
Schedule for Fargo
Saturday, July 17
Cadet/16U Freestyle Preliminaries and Consolations: 8 AM – 1:30 PM
Cadet/16U Freestyle Preliminaries, Quarterfinals and Consolations: 3 PM – 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 18
Men’s Junior Freestyle Preliminaries and Consolations: 8 AM – 1:30 PM
Cadet/16U Freestyle Semifinals and Consolations: 4:30 PM – 9 PM
Men’s Junior Freestyle Preliminaries and Consolations: 4:30 PM – 9 PM
Monday, July 19
Men’s Junior Freestyle Quarterfinals and Consolations: 9 AM – 1 PM
Cadet/16U Freestyle Consolation and Consolation Semifinals: 9 AM – 11 AM
Cadet/16U Freestyle Finals and Medal Matches: 1:30 PM – 4 PM
Men’s Junior Freestyle Semifinals and Consolations: 5 PM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday, July 20
Men’s Junior Freestyle Finals and Medal Matches: 1 PM – 3:30 PM
*Times listed are Central Standard Time (CST).
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
