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Penn State Wrestling vs Iowa 125 Preview: Drake Ayala vs. Braeden Davis – FloWrestling

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Penn State Wrestling vs Iowa 125 Preview: Drake Ayala vs. Braeden Davis – FloWrestling


What: #2 Braeden Davis, FR (Penn State), 14-0 vs #6 Drake Ayala, SO (Iowa), 17-3
When: Friday, February 9, 2024 at 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET)
Where: Iowa City, Iowa (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
How to watch: Big Ten Network/Fox Sports App

Braeden Davis and Drake Ayala will set the tone when they face off at 125 pounds during Friday night’s dual between Penn State (8-0) and Iowa (10-1). The most hyped meet of the season will likely start at the lightest weight — and this could be the main event. 

The 125-pound class has more twists and turns than an ambitious mystery novel. Nothing is sacred — especially rankings. 

Davis, a true freshman from Belleville, Michigan, is ranked second. He remains the only undefeated wrestler at the weight. 

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Ayala, a redshirt sophomore from Fort Dodge, Iowa, is ranked sixth. He is 2-2 following a nine-match winning streak from Nov. 26, 2023, to January 15, 2024. 

Davis is 5-0 and Ayala is 3-2 against common opponents, but that likely won’t matter when the two face off in front of a partisan Iowa crowd. Both are known for their conditioning, so expect this match to be all gas and no breaks.

Common College Opponents

Braeden Davis (Penn State) Drake Ayala (Iowa)
WON – Tristan Lujan (Michigan St.), 4-2 on Nov. 19, 2023 WON – Michael DeAugustino (Michigan), 6-5 on Jan. 14, 2022
WON – Ethan Berginic (Army), 5-1 on Nov. 19, 2023 WON – Tristan Lujan (Michigan St.), 4-0, on Jan. 5, 2022
WON – Brandon Kaylor (Oregon St.) on 11-6 on Jan. 5, 2024 WON – Ethan Berginc (Army), 5-2, on Dec. 19, 2022
WON – Michael DeAugustino (Michigan), 5-1 on Jan. 19, 2024 LOST – Brandon Kaylor (Oregon St.), 7-6 on Nov. 9, 2023
WON – Tristan Lujan (Michigan St.), 7-3 on Jan. 21, 2024 LOST – Michael DeAugustino (Michigan), 2-1 TB1 on Feb. 2, 2024

Earning the first takedown is always a good thing, but it could ultimately decide the outcome. An early takedown — especially in the first period — sets the tone for the remainder of the match. Crowd noise will be a factor, so Ayala striking first gets Hawkeye fans invested (assuming the dual starts at 125) and Davis striking first could momentarily silence the crowd. 

Davis was in a nailbiter against Ohio State’s Vinnie Kilkeary during his last outing on February 2. Kilkeary nearly scored a takedown as time expired but Davis held on for the 4-3 win despite widespread disagreement about the call. 

Don’t be surprised if that type of match happens again where either gets the lead with the other giving chase in the closing seconds. Iowa fans will get behind Ayala whether he is ahead or behind. 

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Ayala fell behind Purdue’s top-ranked Matt Ramos on January 19, which resulted in a 4-1 loss with the Iowa sophomore working hard for a takedown at the end. Both should be ready for that type of match. 

The crowd is the second opponent every wrestler faces when he competes in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Davis’s spotless record proves he’s a winner. Ayala’s biggest test of the season might be against Davis. 

This could be the first chapter in an ongoing rivalry between these two lightweight stars. 

Key wins this season

Braeden Davis (Penn State)
— #10 Michael DeAugustino (Michigan), 5-1 on Jan. 19, 2024
— #11 Brandon Kaylor (Oregon State), 11-6 on Jan. 5, 2024

Drake Ayala (Iowa)
— #15 Patrick McKee (Minnesota), 8-5 on Jan. 15, 2024
— #9 Caleb Smith (Nebraska), 7-3 on Jan. 12, 2024
— #15 Patrick McKee (Minnesota), 5-4 on Dec. 30, 2023
— #14 Jore Volk (Wyoming), 4-2 on Dec. 30, 2023
— #21 Kysen Terukina (Iowa State), 7-2 on Nov. 26, 2023
— #26 Eli Griffin (Cal Baptist), 18-8 on Nov. 4, 2023

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Iowa

Semi-truck crash causes Iowa power outage impacting hundreds

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9 hours ago

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January 9, 2026

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Semi-truck crash causes Iowa power outage impacting hundreds


TAMA COUNTY, Iowa — A pair of power outages left more than 700 people without power in Tama County Friday afternoon.

Alliant Energy says the larger outage, just north of Garwin, was caused by a semi-truck striking one of their power poles. That outages impacted 690 customers as of 5 p.m. Friday.

The smaller outage impacted roughly 36 people in Tama. The outage was caused by equipment needing repairs.

Alliant says crews are on site and working to fix both outages.

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Iowa Great Lakes businessman Butch Parks dies at 81

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21 hours ago

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January 9, 2026

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Iowa Great Lakes businessman Butch Parks dies at 81


SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa (KTIV) – The Iowa Great Lakes community is remembering Leo “Butch” Parks, a longtime lakes-area businessman and founder of Parks Marina.

He died Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the age of 81.

Parks established the marina on East Lake Okoboji in 1983, growing it from a small fishing boat operation into a business with marinas, sales, service, rentals, storage, and popular destinations like the Barefoot Bar.

Parks and his wife, Debbie, also owned Okoboji Boat Works for 23 years.

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Funeral services are set for Friday, Jan. 16, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. It will be followed by a celebration of life at Snapper’s restaurant in Okoboji that evening.

Want to get the latest news and weather from Siouxland’s News Source? Follow these links to download our KTIV News app and our First Alert Weather app.

Copyright 2026 KTIV. All rights reserved.



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Iowa woman accused of pandering for prostitution and harassment after incidents at Casey’s and a daycare

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January 8, 2026

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Iowa woman accused of pandering for prostitution and harassment after incidents at Casey’s and a daycare


AURELIA, Iowa (KTIV) – A Northwest Iowa woman is facing charges of harassment and pandering for prostitution after two incidents took place in December 2025.

Forty-seven-year-old Kristal Miller of Odebolt was taken into custody on an arrest warrant and faces three charges: one count of pandering for prostitution and two counts of first-degree harassment, according to court documents.

Kristal Miller(Cherokee County Jail)

The charges stem from two separate incidents that took place on Thursday, Dec. 18. 2025.

According to court documents, at 6:15 a.m., Miller reportedly went to the Casey’s General Store, located at 100 Pearl St. in Aurelia. Documents state Miller approached an employee and customers, requesting money from them.

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Authorities state Miller claimed she was wanted by the FBI and told people, if anyone called the police, “she would kill them.”

During this encounter, she also allegedly asked an employee to remove the string from her hooded sweatshirt. Documents state when the employee refused this request, she threatened to strangle them.

That same day at 7 a.m., Miller reportedly approached a female employee outside an Aurelia daycare and asked them for money.

Court documents stated Miller suggested the unnamed employee leave her boyfriend. Miller reportedly told the employee, if she did, then she and Miller would both be paid.

Authorities say when she was told no by the employee, Miller became upset and started yelling at them.

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Miller also allegedly threatened to “steal her car” and ”take her away to her guys to start a new life.”

She was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on a cash-only bond of $5,000. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled in Cherokee for Friday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m.

Want to get the latest news and weather from Siouxland’s News Source? Follow these links to download our KTIV News app and our First Alert Weather app.

Copyright 2026 KTIV. All rights reserved.



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