Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Wrestling

Without 4 regulars, Hawk wrestlers tumble to Norwalk in regional dual

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Although his team failed to advance to the state duals tournament, Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall was happy that the Hawks got an opportunity to compete on Wednesday night. Ankeny, the No. 14 team in the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Class 3A dual rankings, dropped a 43-28 decision to No. 15 Norwalk in the opening round of a … [Read more...] about Without 4 regulars, Hawk wrestlers tumble to Norwalk in regional dual

Ankeny wrestlers fall into 16-0 hole, then win final 11 matches against Bobcats

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The Ankeny wrestlers tuned up for the postseason with a 65-16 victory at Marshalltown in a non-conference meet on Thursday. The Hawks, who are 13th in the Class 3A dual rankings by The Predicament, improved to 14-5 on the season. Marshalltown dropped to 8-14. "We had some kids get a win tonight that really needed it," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "I … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers fall into 16-0 hole, then win final 11 matches against Bobcats

Ankeny trio, Centennial’s Neils capture individual titles at CIML Invitational

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If Friday's CIML Invitational at Southeast Polk was any indication of what's going to happen later this month at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament, then both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial could make a lot of noise at Wells Fargo Arena. The eighth-ranked Jaguars placed second in Friday's 16-team tournament, while the No. 7 Hawks took fourth. It was … [Read more...] about Ankeny trio, Centennial’s Neils capture individual titles at CIML Invitational

Busy week for Hawk wrestlers ends with win over Dowling, Dave Ewing Duals title

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The Ankeny wrestlers got some much-needed time on the mat last week. After placing third in their own Bob Sharp Invitational on Jan. 20, the Hawks celebrated their Senior Night on Thursday with a 42-33 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic. They then defeated five more opponents on Saturday to win the Dave Ewing Duals at Ankeny. "Some of our kids … [Read more...] about Busy week for Hawk wrestlers ends with win over Dowling, Dave Ewing Duals title

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Nike Coulthard, Ankeny wrestling

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Nike Coulthard is a member of the Ankeny wrestling team. He has helped the Hawks to a 7-5 dual record. Coulthard filled in at 126 pounds during Ankeny's 40-23 loss to visiting Johnston on Thursday. He dropped a 5-3 decision to Aidan Honkomp. "Nike is a good kid," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "He is always there for us and works hard." Ankeny … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Nike Coulthard, Ankeny wrestling

Hawks crown 3 champs, earn 3rd-place finish overall at Bob Sharp Invitational

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While Martin Luther King Jr. Day provided a day off for many people, that wasn't the case for the Ankeny wrestlers. The seventh-ranked Hawks hosted the Bob Sharp Invitational after Saturday's tournament was postponed until Monday due to inclement weather. Ten of the 13 teams that were originally slated to compete traveled to Ankeny for the rescheduled … [Read more...] about Hawks crown 3 champs, earn 3rd-place finish overall at Bob Sharp Invitational

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Sam Kallem, Ankeny wrestling

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Senior Sam Kallem has helped the seventh-ranked Ankeny wrestling team to a 7-5 dual record this season. He earned his 100th career victory during the Cliff Keen Invitational last month at Independence. Kallem posted a 34-13 record as a junior, when he placed seventh in the Class 3A state tournament at 132 pounds. He has committed to wrestle for Grand View … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Sam Kallem, Ankeny wrestling

Rathjen tops Edwards in 1 vs. 2 showdown, but Hawks fall to Johnston

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Thursday's wrestling dual meet between Ankeny and visiting Johnston featured a matchup between the state's top two wrestlers in Class 3A at 138 pounds according to The Predicament. And fans didn't have to wait long to see the showdown. In the opening match of the CIML Central Conference dual, Ankeny's top-ranked Caleb Rathjen gave up an early takedown … [Read more...] about Rathjen tops Edwards in 1 vs. 2 showdown, but Hawks fall to Johnston

No Cael, no Jace, no problem: Hawk wrestlers pin 54-15 loss on Urbandale

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The Ankeny wrestling team competed without two of its ranked wrestlers on Thursday. It didn't matter. The Hawks, who are 13th in The Predicament's Class 3A dual rankings, won 11 of the 14 matches and rolled to a 54-15 victory at Urbandale. They raised their records to 1-1 in the CIML Central Conference and 7-4 overall. "It was a good win for us," … [Read more...] about No Cael, no Jace, no problem: Hawk wrestlers pin 54-15 loss on Urbandale

Anderson wins rematch against Fousek; Hawks finish 10th at Battle of Waterloo

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The Ankeny wrestling team came away from the Battle of Waterloo last weekend with a 4-2 record. More importantly, the prestigious two-day tournament challenged the fifth-ranked Hawks. "We do something similar at Independence (with the Cliff Keen Invitational), and there's another tournament that is like that and that's the state tournament," said … [Read more...] about Anderson wins rematch against Fousek; Hawks finish 10th at Battle of Waterloo

Centennial wins final 3 matches to top Ankeny in Jag-Hawk showdown

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After switching places in the latest Class 3A rankings by The Predicament, eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 5 Ankeny may have to revert back to their preseason spots. The visiting Jaguars won the final three matches to defeat Ankeny, 38-29, in the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams on Thursday. It was Centennial's seventh win in eight … [Read more...] about Centennial wins final 3 matches to top Ankeny in Jag-Hawk showdown

Jag-Hawk dual could be determined by outcome of several swing matches

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Thursday's wrestling showdown between fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 8 Ankeny will likely be decided by the outcome of several toss-up matches. The crosstown rivals will meet for their annual clash at 7:30 p.m. at Ankeny High School. Centennial brings a 6-1 record into the CIML Central Conference opener, while Ankeny has a 2-1 mark. "Both teams … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk dual could be determined by outcome of several swing matches

Hawks crown 3 champs, place 2nd overall at Frank Baltzley Invitational

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All things considered, the Ankeny wrestling team had a pretty good day Saturday in the Frank Baltzley Invitational at Johnston. The eighth-ranked Hawks crowned three individual champions and placed second in the 12-team field with 188 points. No. 10 Johnston won the tournament with 227.5. "I think our kids were wore out," said Ankeny coach Jack … [Read more...] about Hawks crown 3 champs, place 2nd overall at Frank Baltzley Invitational

Hawks top Lincoln, but fail to capitalize against depleted S.E. Polk team

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Southeast Polk's vaunted wrestling team appeared to be somewhat vulnerable entering Thursday's double dual meet against Des Moines Lincoln and host Ankeny. The second-ranked Rams, who were the runner-up in last year's Class 3A state tournament, fielded a lineup that was missing several varsity regulars. "I think they had two or three kids not make … [Read more...] about Hawks top Lincoln, but fail to capitalize against depleted S.E. Polk team

Hawk wrestlers tie for 5th place among 33 teams at Cliff Keen Invitational

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The Ankeny wrestling team proved over the weekend that it belongs on the mat with some of the best squads in the Midwest. The eighth-ranked Hawks tied with Linn-Mar (Marion) for fifth place among 33 teams in the Cliff Keen Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Independence. Both squads finished with 228 points. Simley (Minn.) won the prestigious … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers tie for 5th place among 33 teams at Cliff Keen Invitational

Hawk wrestlers flex their muscles, pummel Mason City in season opener

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The eighth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team will take some momentum into the Cliff Keen Invitational this weekend after rolling to a 63-15 victory at No. 9 Mason City in its season opener on Thursday. The Hawks won 11 of the 14 matches and recorded seven pins. "Mason City is down except for about four weights," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "But we … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers flex their muscles, pummel Mason City in season opener

‘Our goal is to get better every day’: Hawks look to contend for state titles

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With a pair of returning state champions, the Ankeny wrestling team won't be able to sneak up on any of its opponents this season. But Ankeny coach Jack Wignall is completely fine with that. The Hawks are eighth in the Class 3A preseason rankings by The Predicament after placing 11th in last year's state tournament with 59.5 points, their highest … [Read more...] about ‘Our goal is to get better every day’: Hawks look to contend for state titles

‘I can’t wait to wear the Black and Gold!”: Ankeny’s Rathjen chooses Hawkeyes

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Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen wrestles with an aggressive mentality that fits perfectly with the Iowa wrestling style. In a couple of years, Rathjen will get his chance to wrestle for the Hawkeyes. Rathjen announced on Thursday via Twitter that he has verbally committed to join Iowa's program in 2021. "I'm very proud and excited to announce my commitment … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to wear the Black and Gold!”: Ankeny’s Rathjen chooses Hawkeyes