With some of its best wrestlers still out of the lineup, Ankeny nevertheless managed to earn a pair of victories on Thursday at Huxley. But it wasn't easy. The Hawks, who are sixth in the Class 3A dual rankings, opened the triangular meet with a 41-35 win over Webster City. They later posted a 36-30 triumph over the host Bombers to improve to 3-0 on … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys are giving us everything they have’: Hawks top Webster City, Ballard
Boys' Wrestling
Jaguars rack up 23 pins, romp past 3 foes at C.B. Lewis Central quadrangular
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team turned in a dominating performance on Tuesday at the Council Bluffs Lewis Central quadrangular. The Jaguars easily defeated all three of their opponents, racking up 23 pins while raising their record to 5-0. They posted a 66-16 win over Clarinda, a 66-18 victory over Denison-Schleswig, and a 65-11 triumph over Lewis … [Read more...] about Jaguars rack up 23 pins, romp past 3 foes at C.B. Lewis Central quadrangular
‘Our kids didn’t quit’: Hawk wrestlers run into tough foes at Donnybrook event
Coach Jack Wignall never wants his Ankeny wrestling team to shy away from strong competition. That's why the Dan Gable Donnybrook on Friday and Saturday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville was such a positive experience for the Hawks. "This was arguably the toughest high school tournament in the country this weekend," said Wignall. "There were some teams … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids didn’t quit’: Hawk wrestlers run into tough foes at Donnybrook event
Bruhl, Cody Vandermark claim titles; Jaguars place 4th at Mustang Invite
This isn't the same Ankeny Centennial wrestling team that opponents will see later in the season. That's what coach Jay Groth is hoping anyway. The Jaguars placed fourth among 14 teams in the Andy Davidson Mustang Invitational on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. They finished with 184.5 points. "We had some guys who overperformed and some guys who … [Read more...] about Bruhl, Cody Vandermark claim titles; Jaguars place 4th at Mustang Invite
‘It’s pretty gratifying’: Hawk matmen open season with 39-32 win at No. 3 Johnston
Last month, Joe Kingston and the Ankeny football team ended the season with a loss to Johnston in the Class 5A quarterfinals. On Thursday, Kingston and a couple of his football teammates earned a measure of revenge on the wrestling mat. Kingston, Will Hinrichs and Cade Bennethum each recorded a fall as the sixth-ranked Hawks opened their season with a … [Read more...] about ‘It’s pretty gratifying’: Hawk matmen open season with 39-32 win at No. 3 Johnston
Overcoming illnesses, Jaguars open season with wins over W. Marshall, Albia
Despite being less than full strength, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team opened its season on Tuesday with a pair of victories at State Center. The Jaguars posted a 49-30 win over host West Marshall and also defeated Albia, 48-27, in the non-conference double dual meet. "I was happy with how we wrestled," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "I thought … [Read more...] about Overcoming illnesses, Jaguars open season with wins over W. Marshall, Albia
Centennial wrestlers return trio of state qualifiers, several other veterans
When the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team opens its season this week, the Jaguars will have some new faces in their lineup. Centennial graduated five state qualifiers from last year's team, including four-time qualifier Jackson Helmkamp and fellow two-time placewinner Carter Cahill. The Jaguars tied for 16th place in Class 3A with 34 points. "The … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers return trio of state qualifiers, several other veterans
‘We know who our kids are’: Ankeny wrestlers enter season with high hopes
A year ago, the Ankeny wrestling team qualified for the Class 3A state duals tournament for the first time since the split into two high schools. Now, the Hawks would like to do it again. This year's state duals tournament has been moved to Feb. 4--the week before the district tournament. It will be held at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. "I am very … [Read more...] about ‘We know who our kids are’: Ankeny wrestlers enter season with high hopes
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jace Anderson, Ankeny wrestling
Ankeny junior Jace Anderson placed fourth at 145 pounds in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. He finished the season with a 36-8 record. Anderson is a three-time state qualifier and a two-time placewinner for the Hawks. He took seventh at 138 as a sophomore. Here is some inside info on Anderson: Congratulations … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jace Anderson, Ankeny wrestling
‘It just didn’t work out’: Anderson’s quest to make history ends with overtime loss
More often than not, Ankeny wrestler Trever Anderson finds a way to come out on top. On Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena, Anderson was looking to become the first three-time state champion in school history. But for one of the few times in his high school career, he couldn't find the answers he needed. Top-ranked Carter Freeman of Waukee … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t work out’: Anderson’s quest to make history ends with overtime loss
Anderson earns shot at 3rd title; Hawks, Jaguars combine for 7 placewinners
Trever Anderson is one win away from becoming the first three-time state wrestling champion in Ankeny High School history. The second-ranked Anderson defeated No. 3 Cale Seaton of Iowa City High, 3-1, in overtime in the 120-pound semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena. He got the winning takedown about 30 seconds … [Read more...] about Anderson earns shot at 3rd title; Hawks, Jaguars combine for 7 placewinners
Anderson moves closer to 3rd title; Bruhl, Helmkamp also advance to semifinals
Two-time state champion Trever Anderson of Ankeny has advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3A state wrestling tournament along with the Ankeny Centennial duo of Lucas Bruhl and Jackson Helmkamp. The second-ranked Anderson posted a 15-4 major decision over No. 12 Braxten Westendorf of Waverly-Shell Rock in the quarterfinals at 120 pounds on Friday … [Read more...] about Anderson moves closer to 3rd title; Bruhl, Helmkamp also advance to semifinals
Five Hawk matmen, Centennial trio advance to Friday’s quarterfinals
Eighth-ranked Ankeny advanced five wrestlers into Friday's quarterfinals in the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial advanced three of its wrestlers into the quarterfinals. The Jaguars also have senior Cael Wiener alive in the consolation bracket. Both Ankeny and Centennial entered the tournament with seven … [Read more...] about Five Hawk matmen, Centennial trio advance to Friday’s quarterfinals
Anderson seeks 3rd state title, could avenge his only loss in Saturday’s finals
While Ankeny wrestler Trever Anderson won't achieve his goal of going undefeated this season, he could still avenge his only loss while capturing a third state title on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Anderson, who is ranked second at 120 pounds in Class 3A, boasts a 34-1 record after winning both of his matches during the state duals … [Read more...] about Anderson seeks 3rd state title, could avenge his only loss in Saturday’s finals
Hawk wrestlers earn 6th-place finish at Class 3A state duals tournament
The Ankeny wrestling team was hoping to take its best shot against top-seeded Waverly-Shell Rock in the semifinals of the Class 3A state duals tournament on Wednesday. To do that, though, the fifth-seeded Hawks needed to get past No. 4 Linn-Mar (Marion) in the tournament's opening round at Wells Fargo Arena. Unfortunately, Ankeny came up a little … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers earn 6th-place finish at Class 3A state duals tournament
‘We’re going to get it done’: Ankeny wrestlers looking to win state duals title
The Ankeny wrestling team isn't satisfied with just making it to the Class 3A state duals tournament. The Hawks want to win a trophy. "We have talked all year about winning state duals, and we have a really good team from top to bottom," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "We're going to go there and wrestle our best guys, and we're going to get it … [Read more...] about ‘We’re going to get it done’: Ankeny wrestlers looking to win state duals title
Hawks capture district crown; Runner-up Jags match Ankeny with 7 state qualifiers
Saturday's Class 3A district wrestling tournament at Fort Dodge featured nine matches between Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial grapplers. The team title also came down to a battle between the crosstown rivals. In the end, eighth-ranked Ankeny captured the overall crown with 220 points, even though Centennial went 5-4 in its head-to-head matches against the … [Read more...] about Hawks capture district crown; Runner-up Jags match Ankeny with 7 state qualifiers
ON TO STATE: Hawk matmen qualify for duals tournament for first time since 2013
The Ankeny wrestling program has made tremendous strides under coach Jack Wignall in the last few years. The Hawks placed fifth in the Class 3A state tournament last season. It was their highest finish under Wignall, who took over the program in 2013. There was one goal, however, that Ankeny had yet to reach under Wignall. The Hawks had never qualified … [Read more...] about ON TO STATE: Hawk matmen qualify for duals tournament for first time since 2013
Hawks advance to state duals tourney; Jaguars ousted by Waukee Northwest
The Ankeny wrestling team is headed to the state duals tournament for the first time since the split into two high schools. The Hawks, who are fourth in the Iowa Wrestling Coaches Association Class 3A dual team rankings, posted a 39-25 victory over No. 19 Urbandale in a regional final on Wednesday at Ankeny. They raised their record to 16-2 on the … [Read more...] about Hawks advance to state duals tourney; Jaguars ousted by Waukee Northwest
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ben Hansen, Ankeny wrestling
Sophomore Ben Hansen has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team to a 15-2 dual-meet record. He is ranked sixth at 126 pounds in Class 3A with a 25-6 mark. Hansen placed second in the CIML Invitational on Friday at Johnston, where he helped the Hawks to a third-place finish in the 18-team field. He reached the finals before losing by a technical … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ben Hansen, Ankeny wrestling