Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Wrestling

‘We finally got over that hump’: Hawks qualify record 10 wrestlers for state

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The Ankeny wrestling program has come a long way since the split into two high schools in 2013. In his first year as the team's head coach, Jack Wignall guided the Hawks to a 6-19 record. Only one of his wrestlers qualified for the state tournament. It took three more seasons before Ankeny finished with a winning mark. On Saturday, the eighth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘We finally got over that hump’: Hawks qualify record 10 wrestlers for state

State champs return to lineup as Hawks tumble to Norwalk in regional final

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Ankeny wrestlers Trever Anderson and Caleb Rathjen could have waited a few more days before getting back onto the mat. The duo decided that they were ready to compete. Both Anderson and Rathjen are nursing injuries, but they returned to the lineup on Wednesday as the ninth-ranked Hawks traveled to Norwalk for the Class 3A regional duals. They sat out … [Read more...] about State champs return to lineup as Hawks tumble to Norwalk in regional final

Ankeny’s Wignall named Class 3A Central District Coach of the Year

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall has been named the Class 3A Central District Coach of the Year by the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association. Wignall is a finalist for the state's Class 3A Coach of the Year, which will be awarded at the state tournament later this month. Wignall has guided Ankeny to a 10-5 dual record this season. The … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Wignall named Class 3A Central District Coach of the Year

Class 3A regional dual wrestling assignments announced

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The Class 3A regional dual assignments have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The regional duals will be held on Feb. 10, beginning at 6 p.m. The top 24 ranked teams according to January's IWCOA rankings will compete at eight sites with the highest-ranked teams hosting, if possible. The top-ranked team at each site receives a … [Read more...] about Class 3A regional dual wrestling assignments announced

Centennial wrestlers capture Iowa Conference crown on Wells’ pin

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There was a lot at stake when Ankeny Centennial's Jackie Wells and Ankeny's Will Hinrichs took the mat for the championship match at 195 pounds in the CIML Iowa Conference wrestling tournament on Friday night. Wells didn't know it, but the outcome of the whole tournament was on the line. The Centennial senior got a pin in 3 minutes 35 seconds, allowing … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers capture Iowa Conference crown on Wells’ pin

Hawks defend their Dave Ewing Duals title on Jace Anderson’s win in OT

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Jace Anderson picked a good time to make his return to the wrestling mat. The Ankeny sophomore won all three of his matches on Saturday at the Dave Ewing Duals, including a 7-5 overtime victory against Independence's Tyler Trumblee to give the Hawks a 35-32 win in the championship round of the tournament. "He hasn't been on the mat much (due to a … [Read more...] about Hawks defend their Dave Ewing Duals title on Jace Anderson’s win in OT

Depleted Ankeny wrestlers capitalize on 5 forfeits to defeat Marshalltown, 55-20

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The Ankeny wrestling team was missing several varsity regulars for Thursday's dual meet at Marshalltown. The Bobcats, however, were even more depleted. The seventh-ranked Hawks took advantage of five forfeits to post a 55-20 victory in the CIML Iowa Conference matchup. They raised their records to 3-1 in the league and 5-5 overall. "We have about … [Read more...] about Depleted Ankeny wrestlers capitalize on 5 forfeits to defeat Marshalltown, 55-20

Maihan, Cox, Rathjen capture titles; Hawks finish 4th at Bob Sharp Invite

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Saturday's Bob Sharp Invitational provided the Ankeny wrestlers with an opportunity to build some momentum heading into the final month of the season. Several of the Hawks took advantage of it. Fnu Maihan, Cael Cox and Caleb Rathjen each won an individual title as seventh-ranked Ankeny placed fourth in its own 13-team tournament. The Hawks finished … [Read more...] about Maihan, Cox, Rathjen capture titles; Hawks finish 4th at Bob Sharp Invite

Rathjen suffers rare loss, Anderson injured as Hawks finish 1-2 in Dubuque

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall likes to give his team the best competition possible. Saturday's Dubuque Hempstead Duals accomplished that goal and then some. The tournament featured four of the top nine teams in Class 3A according to The Predicament--top-ranked Southeast Polk, No. 2 Waverly-Shell Rock, No. 7 Ankeny and No. 9 Hempstead. The Hawks … [Read more...] about Rathjen suffers rare loss, Anderson injured as Hawks finish 1-2 in Dubuque

Hawk wrestlers win 11 of 14 matches, romp to 54-17 victory at Ames

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The Ankeny wrestling team didn't have a letdown Thursday following the Hawks' emotional victory over Ankeny Centennial just 72 hours earlier. Seventh-ranked Ankeny won 11 of the 14 matches and rolled to a 54-17 win at Ames. The Hawks improved their records to 2-1 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 3-3 overall. "I thought we were really good," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers win 11 of 14 matches, romp to 54-17 victory at Ames

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lincoln Folkers, Ankeny wrestling

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Sophomore Lincoln Folkers is a member of the seventh-ranked Ankeny wrestling team. He has helped the Hawks to a 2-3 dual record. Folkers played a key role in Ankeny's 34-31 victory over No. 10 Dowling Catholic on Dec. 22. He pinned Connor Dabney in 1 minute 39 seconds, providing six crucial team points for the Hawks. "Lincoln is undersized at 132 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lincoln Folkers, Ankeny wrestling

‘It’s nice to finally beat them’: Ankeny ends losing skid against Jaguars

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The last time the Ankeny wrestling team defeated Ankeny Centennial in a dual meet was on Jan. 19, 2017--one day before Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States. "It's been awhile," said Ankeny junior Trever Anderson, who was a seventh grader at the time. "It's nice to finally beat them." Anderson had one of Ankeny's five … [Read more...] about ‘It’s nice to finally beat them’: Ankeny ends losing skid against Jaguars

‘One of my top accomplishments’: Ankeny’s Cox reaches 100-win milestone

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Ankeny wrestler Cael Cox reached a milestone on Tuesday during the Hawks' double dual meet at Waukee. Cox, who is ranked fifth at 126 pounds in Class 3A, posted a 6-3 decision over No. 3 Connor Kelley of Waukee to earn his 100th career victory. "The key to beating Kelley was getting to my offense," Cox said. "My coaches have stressed the importance of … [Read more...] about ‘One of my top accomplishments’: Ankeny’s Cox reaches 100-win milestone

Rathjen wins matchup of top-ranked wrestlers, claims crown at Indianola

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Caleb Rathjen is still working himself into wrestling shape. The Ankeny senior, though, is still dominating his opponents on the mat. Rathjen, a two-time state champion who is ranked No. 1 at 152 pounds in Class 3A, easily captured a title at 160 in the Indianola Invitational on Saturday. He won his first three matches by fall in a combined 2 minutes … [Read more...] about Rathjen wins matchup of top-ranked wrestlers, claims crown at Indianola

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nate Nessa, Ankeny wrestling

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Ankeny junior Nate Nessa placed seventh at 170 pounds in the Indianola wrestling tournament on Saturday. He helped the seventh-ranked Hawks to a fifth-place finish in the seven-team field. Nessa was a backup running back on the state champion Ankeny football team this fall. He rushed 27 times for 249 yards and six touchdowns. Here is some inside info … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nate Nessa, Ankeny wrestling

Fort Dodge builds 19-0 lead en route to 38-31 victory over Hawk wrestlers

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A tough opening week for the Ankeny wrestling team continued on Thursday as the seventh-ranked Hawks suffered a 38-31 loss at No. 4 Fort Dodge in their CIML Iowa Conference opener. Ankeny dropped to 0-2 overall after opening the season with a loss to Cedar Falls on Tuesday. "We didn’t wrestle bad," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "Fort Dodge was just a … [Read more...] about Fort Dodge builds 19-0 lead en route to 38-31 victory over Hawk wrestlers

Bonus points are the difference: Cedar Falls wrestlers edge Ankeny, 34-32

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Despite racking up bonus points in all of its wins, the eighth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team opened its season on Tuesday with a 34-32 loss to visiting Cedar Falls. The Tigers won eight of the 14 matches and had three falls, including one at 152 pounds that sealed the victory. Ankeny got falls from top-ranked Caleb Rathjen at 160 and No. 9 Nate Nessa at … [Read more...] about Bonus points are the difference: Cedar Falls wrestlers edge Ankeny, 34-32

Hawk wrestlers look to continue Ankeny’s recent run of championship success

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall is anxious to get back on the mat with his team. Wignall saw enough during the Hawks' first week of practice last month to know that this is the most talented squad he's ever had. "We are very balanced at each weight with talent and depth. That is something we haven’t always had," said Wignall. "Sometimes we … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers look to continue Ankeny’s recent run of championship success