PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Iowa junior Drake Ayala wasn’t able to get as offensive as he liked, but Ayala never-the-less is headed back to the national finals after beating Wisconsin’s Zan Fugitt, 6-1, in a 133-pound semifinal Friday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
Iowa's Drake Ayala battles Wisconsin's Zan Fugitt during a133-pound semifinal Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa coach Tom Brands throws a challenge brick that was successful during Drake Ayala's 133-pound semifinal Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
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Iowa's Mike Caliendo turns West Virginia's Peyton Hall for near fall during the 165-pound semifinals Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa's Mike Caliendo lifts the leg of West Virginia's Peyton Hall during the 165-pound semifinals Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa's Mike Caliendo fist pumps after winning a 165-pound semifinal over Peyton Hall of West Virginia Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa's Stephen Buchanan points upward after beating Cal State Bakersfield's AJ Ferrari in the 197-pound semifinals Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa's Stephen Buchanan controls Cal State Bakersfield's AJ Ferrari in the 197-pound semifinals Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
PHOTOS: NCAA Wrestling Championship Semifinals, Session 4
Northern Iowa's Parker Keckeisen celebrates a sudden victory takedown against Minnesota freshman Max McEnelly during a 184-pound semifinal Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa's Stephen Buchanan controls Cal State Bakersfield's AJ Ferrari in the 197-pound semifinals Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa's Stephen Buchanan points upward after beating Cal State Bakersfield's AJ Ferrari in the 197-pound semifinals Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa's Mike Caliendo lifts the leg of West Virginia's Peyton Hall during the 165-pound semifinals Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa's Mike Caliendo fist pumps after winning a 165-pound semifinal over Peyton Hall of West Virginia Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa's Mike Caliendo turns West Virginia's Peyton Hall for near fall during the 165-pound semifinals Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Northern Iowa's Cael Happel tries to score on Nebraska's Brock Hardy during a 141-pound semifinal Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Northern Iowa's Cael Happel tries to score on Nebraska's Brock Hardy during a 141-pound semifinal Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa's Drake Ayala squares off against Wisconsin's Zan Fugitt during the 133-pound semifinal Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa's Drake Ayala battles Wisconsin's Zan Fugitt during a133-pound semifinal Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Iowa coach Tom Brands throws a challenge brick that was successful during Drake Ayala's 133-pound semifinal Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
