WATERLOO, Iowa – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum announced on Wednesday that Drake Ayala of Fort Dodge High School has been chosen as the 2021 recipient of the Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year award.

Ayala will be presented his award during the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa inductions on June 25 at the Prairie Links Golf & Event Center in Waverly, Iowa. For more information on the induction ceremony, please contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org.

Named in honor of the first four-time Iowa high school state champion, the award is presented annually to the top high school senior wrestler in Iowa.

Ayala was a three-time Iowa state high school champion and a four-time finalist with a career record of 171-3. He also won two national freestyle championships, a Super 32 Challenge belt and a Who’s No. 1 title. Ayala, who has committed to continue his wrestling career at the University of Iowa, is a Top 10 recruit and ranked No. 1 in the country.

Steenlage competed for Britt High School and won state titles in 1959 (95 pounds), 1960 (103 pounds), 1961 (112 pounds) and 1962 (120 pounds). He was an All-American, finishing third in 1966 at 123 pounds, for the United States Military Academy and did not lose in a dual meet in his four-year career. A graduate of the Army’s Airborne School and Ranger School, Steenlage was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War.

Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year winners
2015 – Max Thomsen, Union of La Porte City High School
2016 – Carter Happel, Lisbon High School
2017 – Marcus Coleman, Ames High School
2018 – Brody Teske, Fort Dodge High School, and Alex Thomsen, Underwood High School
2019 – Julien Broderson, Davenport Assumption High School
2020 – Cael Happel, Lisbon High School
2021 – Drake Ayala, Fort Dodge High School

Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa Class of 2021 Inductees
Gary Steffensmeier, University of Northern Iowa
Mike DeAnna, University of Iowa
Megan Black, King University
Dwight Hinson, Iowa State University
David Kjeldgaard, University of Oklahoma

Glen Brand Team Award
1991 and 1992 University of Iowa national champion wrestling teams

Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Bill Tate Sr.

Bob Siddens Iowa High School Wrestling Coach of the Year
Tom Hogan

Bowlsby Family Legacy Award
Happel Family

Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year
Drake Ayala, Fort Dodge High School

Iowa High School Female Wrestler of the Year
Millie Peach, Iowa Valley High School