Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Wrestling

Jaguars, Hawks looking to reach new heights at traditional tournament

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When the traditional state wrestling tournament gets under way on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena, both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will be looking to reach new heights in the Class 3A competition. Fifth-ranked Centennial boasts a record nine state qualifiers and should be able to improve on last year's 12th-place finish, the best in school history. If you … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks looking to reach new heights at traditional tournament

Hawk wrestlers crown 3 district champs, qualify 3 others for state tourney

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A year ago, the Ankeny wrestling team advanced just two wrestlers to the state tournament. In 2017, Ben Schiltz was the Hawks' lone qualifier in Class 3A. That's why Ankeny coach Jack Wignall was so excited after his team advanced six wrestlers to this year's tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The seventh-ranked Hawks placed second in a district … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers crown 3 district champs, qualify 3 others for state tourney

Hawk wrestlers top East, then fall to No. 1 S.E. Polk in regional final

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall is determined to get his team to the state duals tournament. It just won't be this year. The 16th-ranked Hawks advanced to a Class 3A regional final on Wednesday at Southeast Polk before dropping a 57-17 decision to the No. 1 Rams, who earned another trip to next week's state duals at Wells Fargo Arena. "I feel … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers top East, then fall to No. 1 S.E. Polk in regional final

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Riley Faeth, Ankeny wrestling

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Junior Riley Faeth is a member of the Ankeny wrestling team. The 120-pounder has helped the Hawks to a 10-6 record. "Riley has done a great job for us this season," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "He lost a wrestle-off to Mark Ames when Mark became eligible. But Riley shows up and works hard every day, and I'm glad he is part of our program!" The … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Riley Faeth, Ankeny wrestling

Hawks close out regular season with wins over Marshalltown, Indianola

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The 16th-ranked Ankeny wrestling team closed out the regular season on Thursday with a pair of victories in a triangular meet at Ankeny. The Hawks rolled to a 50-18 win over Marshalltown, then posted a 44-25 triumph over Indianola to raise their overall record to 10-6. "Considering that we didn't practice at all on Wednesday, to come in and wrestle … [Read more...] about Hawks close out regular season with wins over Marshalltown, Indianola

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Derek Anderson, Ankeny wrestling

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Senior Derek Anderson has compiled a 12-6 record this season for the sixth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team. Anderson placed sixth at 138 pounds in the CIML Invitational on Friday at Southeast Polk. He helped the Hawks to a fifth-place finish in the 17-team field. Here is some inside info on Anderson: Were you pleased with your performance at the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Derek Anderson, Ankeny wrestling

Jaguars, Hawks crown 2 individual champs at CIML Invitational

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Friday's CIML Invitational at Southeast Polk was like a mini-state wrestling tournament. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial enjoyed a lot of success, crowning a pair of individual champions. The Jaguars and Hawks also earned top-five finishes in the 17-team field. "It was probably as much fun coaching as I've had in the six years that I've been (the … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks crown 2 individual champs at CIML Invitational

Hawks build huge lead, then hold on for win over Dowling

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After getting off to a good start in Thursday's dual meet, the Ankeny wrestling team limped toward the finish line and held on for a 44-30 victory at Dowling Catholic. The Hawks won the first six matches to build a 32-0 lead. Dowling then won six of the last eight matches. "I feel like sometimes we take two steps forward and one step back," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks build huge lead, then hold on for win over Dowling

Jaguars crown 4 champs, top Ankeny for 5th straight Bob Sharp title

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Ben Monroe and the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers once again walked out of the Ankeny High School gym with the Bob Sharp Invitational championship trophy. For Monroe and his teammates, however, there are bigger goals on the horizon. "We wanted to win the tournament, but the real goal is to win a state dual team and traditional state title," said Monroe, … [Read more...] about Jaguars crown 4 champs, top Ankeny for 5th straight Bob Sharp title

Hawks’ new lineup produces 5 pins, but Johnston holds on for 35-34 victory

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall unveiled a new lineup on Thursday at Johnston. Despite producing five falls and a major decision, the Hawks didn't do quite enough to pull out a victory. Johnston, the No. 13 team in the Class 3A dual rankings, won eight of the 14 matches to edge No. 18 Ankeny, 35-34. The Dragons sealed the win when Harrison Pauley … [Read more...] about Hawks’ new lineup produces 5 pins, but Johnston holds on for 35-34 victory

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Colby Bales, Ankeny wrestling

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Junior Colby Bales is a member of the Ankeny wrestling team. Bales had a pin against Ankeny Centennial during a dual meet last month. On Saturday, he placed third at 220 pounds in the Jack Mendenhall Invitational at Ames. Bales currently sports a 10-7 record for the Hawks, who will travel to Johnston on Thursday for a CIML Central Conference dual meet … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Colby Bales, Ankeny wrestling

Rathjen, Anderson make huge statements; Hawks finish 2nd at Ames

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Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen made another huge statement during the Jack Mendenhall Invitational on Saturday at Ames. Trever Anderson made one of his own for the Hawks. Rathjen and Anderson each captured an individual title to lead the eighth-ranked Ankeny wrestlers to a runner-up finish in the 18-team tournament. The Hawks racked up 158 points, finishing 23 … [Read more...] about Rathjen, Anderson make huge statements; Hawks finish 2nd at Ames

Hawk wrestlers move into rankings, then throttle Urbandale

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The Ankeny wrestling team is beginning to earn some respect across the state. The Hawks moved into the No. 8 spot in Class 3A in the latest state tournament rankings by The Predicament. They are one spot ahead of crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, even though the Jaguars posted a 48-25 victory over Ankeny last month. "I'm just glad our team is showing … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers move into rankings, then throttle Urbandale

Backups play key role in Hawk wrestlers’ victory over Ames

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Despite having several starters out of the lineup, the Ankeny wrestling team still rolled to an impressive victory on Tuesday. The Hawks recorded six pins and easily defeated visiting Ames, 55-18, in a CIML Central Conference dual meet. They improved to 1-1 in the league and 6-5 overall heading into the holiday break. "It was great to see some other … [Read more...] about Backups play key role in Hawk wrestlers’ victory over Ames

Late reversal allows Anderson to beat Fousek at Battle of Waterloo

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The Battle of Waterloo provided an opportunity for the Ankeny wrestlers to see some of the state's top teams. For Ankeny freshman Trever Anderson, the prestigious event also gave him a chance to get a monkey off his back. Anderson, who is ranked fifth at 106 pounds in Class 3A, had one of the biggest wins in the two-day tournament with a 4-3 decision … [Read more...] about Late reversal allows Anderson to beat Fousek at Battle of Waterloo

Jaguars earn bragging rights with 48-25 victory over Ankeny

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A few months ago, Logan Neils helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 20-0 victory over Ankeny. On Thursday, Neils sparked the Jaguars to another win over their crosstown rival--this time on the wrestling mat. He recorded a technical fall in the opening match at 160 pounds and ninth-ranked Centennial went on to post a 48-25 triumph over the … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn bragging rights with 48-25 victory over Ankeny

Ankeny wrestler gets over the hump, avenges loss to Valley’s Oldham

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Caleb Rathjen wasn't completely healthy the last time he wrestled Valley's Nick Oldham. On Saturday, the Ankeny sophomore showed what he could do when he's 100 percent. The second-ranked Rathjen posted a 3-1 decision over the top-ranked Oldham in the 126-pound championship match at the Johnston/Valley Invitational. He avenged a 10-8 loss to Oldham in … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestler gets over the hump, avenges loss to Valley’s Oldham