The Ankeny girls’ wrestling team will have to chase the Class 2A state championship without its best wrestler.
Top-ranked Hayden Bratland, the defending state champ at 140 pounds, will undergo elbow surgery on Wednesday. The junior will miss the rest of the season.
“I was so devastated hearing the news,” said Bratland, who was 8-0 on the year and owns a career record of 89-5.
Bratland tore the ulnar collateral ligament in her right elbow during the Central Iowa Kickoff on Nov. 22 at Nevada. She suffered the injury while posting a 7-5 decision over Colbie Tenborg of Saydel in the championship match at 145.
Bratland held on for the win even after she got hurt.
“I had no idea that it would be a season-ending injury,” Bratland said. “When I was told my season was over, I was in shambles.”