University of Iowa’s Drake Ayala said he was destined to be a wrestler and than wrestling is in his family’s blood. They have been by side through the good and the bad. Now, he is reunited with his brother,

Heading into No. 2 Iowa men’s wrestling’s Friday dual meet against No. 9 Illinois, 133-pound Hawkeye grappler Drake Ayala was ranked as the No. 3 wrestler in the country at his weight. On Friday, though,

Iowa wrestling's 133-pounder Drake Ayala previews matchup with No. 2 Lucas Byrd of Illinois

Iowa wrestling's Drake Ayala and Joey Cruz discuss wins vs Illinois, including Ayala's over No.2 Lucas Byrd

No. 2 Iowa wrestling defeated No. 10 Illinois at home 28-6. The Hawkeyes stayed in control over the Fighting Illini despite many close matches between the two programs.

Joey Cruz has been competing for the 125-pound starting spot. He has won his last two chances, including a major decision to spark Iowa’s 28-6 Big Ten Conference dual win over Illinois Friday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena,

Plenty of numbers could tell the tale of #2 Iowa wrestling’s beatdown of #9 Illinois on Friday night. The final score? Iowa – 28, Illinois – 6. Total match points? Iowa – 69, Illinois, 21. Or how about the most basic premise in all of wrestling – takedowns scored?