The Ankeny wrestling team stormed through the opening round of the Class 3A state tournament on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. The sixth-ranked Hawks advanced four of their five qualifiers to Friday's quarterfinals, and all four of them recorded falls. "It's kind of what I hoped for and what I expected out of those four guys," said Ankeny coach Jack … [Read more...] about Hawks rack up 4 falls in opening round, sit in 12th place heading into Friday
Boys' Wrestling
A look at first-round matchups and beyond at state wrestling tournament
The brackets for the state wrestling tournament were released on Sunday by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Two Ankeny wrestlers and one from Ankeny Centennial enter the tournament as No. 1 seeds. The Jaguars placed fourth in last year's Class 3A tournament, their highest finish ever under coach Jay Groth. The Hawks took 11th, their highest … [Read more...] about A look at first-round matchups and beyond at state wrestling tournament
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cael Cox, Ankeny wrestling
Ankeny junior Cael Cox won a Class 3A district title at 120 pounds on Saturday to qualify for this week's state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. He helped the Hawks to a second-place finish in the district at Dallas Center-Grimes. The 10th-ranked Cox posted a 5-3 decision over No. 8 Logan Stotts of Valley in the finals. He raised his record to … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cael Cox, Ankeny wrestling
Ankeny wrestlers crown 5 champs, place 2nd overall at district tourney
The Ankeny wrestling team crowned five individual champions en route to a second-place finish in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Leading the way were defending state champions Trever Anderson at 113 pounds and Caleb Rathjen at 138. The top-ranked duo easily captured district titles to punch their ticket to next week's … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers crown 5 champs, place 2nd overall at district tourney
Without 4 regulars, Hawk wrestlers tumble to Norwalk in regional dual
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
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
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
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 80
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Head coach Jack Wignall and defending state champions Caleb Rathjen and Trever Anderson of Ankeny stopped by to preview Friday's CIML Invitational wrestling tournament with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also interviewed Ankeny Centennial … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 80
Busy week for Hawk wrestlers ends with win over Dowling, Dave Ewing Duals title
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 75
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall and two of his top wrestlers, Sam Kallem and Cael Cox, stopped by to preview Thursday's Jag-Hawk dual with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also interviewed Ankeny Centennial senior Jackson Bresson and … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 75
Hawks crown 3 champs, place 2nd overall at Frank Baltzley Invitational
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
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