There’s been no sophomore slump for the Ankeny girls’ wrestling team.
After a successful first year under coach Dustin Roland, Ankeny’s program has reached new heights in its second season, including Saturday’s outstanding performance at the Ogden Invitational.
Ankeny crowned five individual champions and easily won the team title with 236.5 points. Osage was second in the 29-team field with 180.
“It was a total team effort from the entire 28 girls we took,” said Roland. “I had been looking forward to this tournament as we get to take everyone to the same place on the same day. Our girls showed up today. This could have possibly been the best overall performance we have seen out of them in two years.”
Trudy Haag at 115 pounds, Elyse Engebretson at 120, Hayden Bratland at 140, Dana Cleveland at 145 and Haylee McGrew at 155 each won an individual title. Josie Bishop also reached the finals at 170 before placing second.
McGrew (26-1) recorded three consecutive falls in a total of 5 minutes 2 seconds. She pinned Abigail Chyma of South Tama in 1:19 to win the crown.
“Haylee kept it rolling with a first-period fall over a ranked opponent in the finals,” Roland said.
Engebretson (25-7) dominated her bracket with a technical fall and two falls. She pinned Maddie Swenson of Osage in 1:10 in the finals.
“Elyse cleaned a lot of things up today that we have been talking about and also defeated two ranked opponents,” Roland said.
Cleveland (29-1) won both of her matches by fall. She pinned Lucy Kohnen of Manson Northwest Webster in 5:53 to win the title.
“Dana waited a long time to wrestle due to a bye and a medical forfeit, but she made the most of it with two falls including a come-from-behind pin against a ranked girl,” Roland said.
Bratland (27-3) notched a pair of falls to reach the finals. She then posted a 7-3 decision over Shaylee Sutherland of Spencer.
“Hayden was solid all day and wrestled a very smart match in the finals,” Roland said.
Haag (21-8) pinned her first opponent in 38 seconds before winning a pair of close matches. She posted a 9-6 decision over Trista Guinn of Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire in the finals.
“Trudy defeated two ranked opponents and a returning state placewinner on the way to her championship,” Roland said.
Bishop (21-11) recorded three consecutive falls to reach the finals. She was then pinned by Autumn Elsbury of South Tama in 1:58.
“Josie is getting better every time she steps on the mat,” Roland said. “She lost to a very good girl in the finals, but I have a feeling she is going to do some great things before her career is over.”
Placing fourth for Ankeny were Ella Hron at 105, Nora Bockes at 110 and Melanie Martinez at 235. Emma Daggett placed sixth at 130, while Lauren Watson at 100 and Zoyie Gatewood at 125 each finished seventh.
“That’s as good as we have wrestled,” Roland said. “We went 5-1 in the finals against all ranked opponents, and our JV went 23-8 on the day. I’m on cloud nine.”
Ankeny will travel to Johnston on Tuesday for its final two dual meets of the season. The team will face CIML Conference opponents Johnston and Urbandale.
