Ankeny girls’ wrestling standout Haylee McGrew is hoping to reach her potential at the collegiate level.
Perhaps an Iowa wrestling legend will help her get there.
McGrew has verbally committed to wrestle at Simpson College, which started its program in February of 2022 by naming Jeff McGinness the team’s first head coach. The Storm completed its third season under McGinness on Saturday by tying for 24th place in the NCWWC Championships at Coralville.
McGinness was a four-time state champion at Iowa City High who went a perfect 172-0 in his high school career. He went on to win two national titles at Iowa and was a member of three national championship teams.
“I have high expectations for myself, and I feel Jeff is going to push me to reach my potential,” said McGrew.
McGrew was a three-time state placewinner who won more than 100 matches in her high school career. She posted a 31-4 record and placed seventh at 155 pounds as a sophomore, when she competed for Des Moines Public Schools.
McGrew then transferred to Ankeny, where she went 33-3 and placed second at 155 as a junior. This season, she went undefeated until the finals of the Class 2A state tournament, where she again earned runner-up honors at 155 and finished 33-1.
McGrew said she looked at several schools around the state.
“I wanted to stay in Iowa,” she said. “It definitely was not an easy decision, but there were factors involved in my decision. What I like about Simpson is the team environment and the structure they have.”