Drake Ayala 1-15-24
Drake Ayala Interview
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00:00 In a row against a guy that you struggled with to start your career.
00:03 I mean, how does it feel just seeing yourself start to emerge and rack up those wins right now?
00:08 I mean, it's cool, but I mean, there's still a lot I got to work on and get better at and just keep getting better each and every day.
00:13 But yeah, it feels good.
00:15 You mentioned improving. You got a big matchup on Friday.
00:17 I mean, what's it mean to be able to see yourself as a, you know, a top competitor at that 125 level
00:24 and be kind of marketed a little bit as a marquee matchup against Matt Ramos?
00:27 It's the next one on the calendar, so it's the biggest one, and I got to be ready to go. I will be.
00:32 You know, at the Soldier Salute, you kind of hinted at the fact that the second half is going to be where we see the best out of Drake Ayala.
00:41 Do you feel like you're taking steps towards that?
00:44 Yeah, I think each and every time out, I'm getting better and better,
00:47 so I just got to keep that train rolling and keep getting better every time out.
00:51 On the map, what are you doing when you're successful?
00:54 What's the key? What's the bread and butter for you on the map to get there?
00:59 I don't think there's really like a magic wand or anything, but I think that I love wrestling,
01:03 and the more I'm wrestling out there and in the room, I think the better I do.
01:08 Real, it feels like this season you have been really precise in your offense and what you're trying to do.
01:15 Has that been a mindset for you or something you're trying to go after when you're taking shots?
01:20 Definitely. As I'm getting better and developing my wrestling, you get more precise with your decision making.
01:28 And there's also another part of it where it is a scrap, and implementing those two and balancing those two is an interesting recipe,
01:37 but figuring that out and playing with that out on the mat is exciting and it helps me grow.
01:46 It feels like you're just really, even there at the end of the third period, you're in a kind of spot there where it's getting close,
01:52 getting close, close match, but it just feels like you're kind of calm, cool, collected in the moment.
01:56 Is that how you're feeling, even in a dangerous moment like that?
01:59 Yeah, I take a lot of pride in staying calm, because when you're calm, you have more of a clear head.
02:05 So I take a lot of pride in my whole life wrestling and staying calm.
02:10 When I grew up, that was something that was really instilled in me, to try to be cool and collected while in the match,
02:18 not get riled up, even if I get taken down or scored on or anything. That's something I take priority to.
02:24 You've got the number one ranking. You've carried that for most of this year.
02:28 What's it been like just kind of having that target centered on your back when you go into a match?
02:33 It's been as expected. When you're the target, people are prepared and people are going to strategize against you.
02:43 People are going to be more stingy. Wrestlers are going to come in and they're going to be ready to go.
02:48 They want to hit that target. So it's been as expected.
02:55 Both of you guys have been part of highly anticipated debuts here in Carver. Fans have received you guys well.
03:03 What did you guys think of Ben Keeter coming out and the reception that he got from the home crowd in his debut?
03:10 I think it was awesome. Keeter, I love the guy, first of all.
03:15 So seeing that good love from the fans was awesome. He's well deserved.
03:22 When they gave him that standing O, I got goosebumps. It was sick. It was cool.
03:29 Anything else?
03:30 Reel, I guess just in general, last season with the way things end for you being a finalist,
03:36 what's been your motivation this season just trying to keep it going and rolling towards that ultimate goal right now?
03:42 It's been a journey just as it is every day on the mat and in my life trying to accomplish my goals.
03:52 If your question is because of that loss, have things changed? Sure.
04:01 But it's just the same journey that I'm on. You learn as you go.
04:09 All right, thanks guys.
04:10 >> Thanks.