Ankeny Fanatic

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Wrestling

Ankeny girls get 2 falls from Shade, 3 others in victories over W-SR, Decorah

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team came away with a pair of victories on Tuesday in a season-opening triangular meet at Waverly-Shell Rock. Ankeny won 10 of the 14 matches to post a 60-19 triumph over the host Go-Hawks. The team recorded six falls and won four other matches by forfeit. Ankeny also defeated Decorah, 49-30. The squad had five more pins … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls get 2 falls from Shade, 3 others in victories over W-SR, Decorah

‘We would be selling ourselves short’: Ankeny girls look to win title in 4th season

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The fourth season for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program promises to be another exciting one. Seven state qualifiers are back from a team that earned runner-up honors in last year's Class 2A state tournament, led by defending state champion Hayden Bratland. "We return the second-most state tournament points behind Raccoon River-Northwest," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘We would be selling ourselves short’: Ankeny girls look to win title in 4th season

Centennial wrestling star Vandermark signs letter of intent with Cyclones

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As a three-time state placewinner with a career record of 120-18, Ankeny Centennial standout Cale Vandermark attracted heavy interest from all three of Iowa's NCAA Division I wrestling programs. In the end, Vandermark decided to stay close to home--signing a letter of intent to compete for Iowa State next year. A strong student as well, he will receive … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestling star Vandermark signs letter of intent with Cyclones

IGHSAU announces State Dual Meet Tourney coming to girls’ wrestling in 2027

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The Board of Directors at the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) unanimously approved the implementation of a girls' wrestling state dual tournament for the 2026-27 season. “A state dual meet tournament is something that our wrestling schools have wanted,” said IGHSAU Executive Director Erin Gerlich. “The impressive growth of girls' wrestling … [Read more...] about IGHSAU announces State Dual Meet Tourney coming to girls’ wrestling in 2027

‘I have high expectations’: McGrew to wrestle for Simpson College, McGinness

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Ankeny girls' wrestling standout Haylee McGrew is hoping to reach her potential at the collegiate level. Perhaps an Iowa wrestling legend will help her get there. McGrew has verbally committed to wrestle at Simpson College, which started its program in February of 2022 by naming Jeff McGinness the team's first head coach. The Storm completed its third … [Read more...] about ‘I have high expectations’: McGrew to wrestle for Simpson College, McGinness

Anderson places 7th at Big 12 Tourney, earns trip to NCAA Championships

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Former Ankeny standout Trever Anderson has qualified for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. A redshirt sophomore at Northern Iowa, Anderson automatically qualified with a seventh-place finish at 125 pounds in the Big 12 Championships last weekend at Tulsa, Okla. After splitting his first four matches in the tournament, Anderson was locked in … [Read more...] about Anderson places 7th at Big 12 Tourney, earns trip to NCAA Championships

‘I’m super proud of our girls’: Ankeny earns runner-up trophy behind 7 placewinners

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The ascension of the Ankeny girls' wrestling program has been a quick one. In the span of just three seasons, Ankeny went from placing 40th as a team in its first year, leaping up to seventh place last year and finishing the 2024-25 season as the Class 2A team runner-up on Friday night at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The … [Read more...] about ‘I’m super proud of our girls’: Ankeny earns runner-up trophy behind 7 placewinners

‘It’s history, man’: Engebretson, Bratland become Ankeny’s first 2 state champions

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) What was Friday night like for the Ankeny girls' wrestling team? Head coach Dustin Roland summed it up the best. “It’s history, man,” Roland said after Ankeny recorded its first two individual state champions. “Anytime you’re a part of history, it’s special. I'm super proud of (Elyse Engebretson and Hayden … [Read more...] about ‘It’s history, man’: Engebretson, Bratland become Ankeny’s first 2 state champions

Bockes, Engebretson, Bratland, McGrew to wrestle for state titles on Friday night

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling squad has moved ahead of Cedar Falls and into second place in the Class 2A team race heading into Friday night's final session in the state tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Raccoon River-Northwest finished the daytime session with 144.5 points and put two wrestlers in the finals, including … [Read more...] about Bockes, Engebretson, Bratland, McGrew to wrestle for state titles on Friday night

Ankeny girls advance 5 wrestlers to Class 2A semis, remain in chase for team crown

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The opening day of the girls' state wrestling tournament was a productive one for coach Dustin Roland and his Ankeny squad. After losing its first two matches on Thursday, Ankeny rebounded to go 14-4 the rest of the way and sits in third place overall with 63 points heading into Friday. Raccoon River-Northwest … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls advance 5 wrestlers to Class 2A semis, remain in chase for team crown

‘We had a great night’: Ankeny girls win regional title, advance 9 wrestlers to state

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team was assigned to the Class 2A regional site at Cedar Rapids Jefferson along with seven squads from eastern Iowa. The long trip on Friday to the "City of Five Seasons" didn't seem to bother coach Dustin Roland's team. Ankeny crowned five individual champions, had four other girls qualify for state … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great night’: Ankeny girls win regional title, advance 9 wrestlers to state

Engebretson, McGrew reach 100-victory mark as Ankeny wins Pleasantville Duals

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Seniors Elyse Engebretson and Haylee McGrew each recorded their 100th career victories as the Ankeny girls' wrestling team closed out the dual-meet season on Monday by winning the Pleasantville Duals. Second-ranked Ankeny defeated Albia on a criteria decision after the two squads finished in a 39-39 tie. Coach Dustin Roland's team was awarded the victory … [Read more...] about Engebretson, McGrew reach 100-victory mark as Ankeny wins Pleasantville Duals

‘Can’t wait to take this next step’: Ankeny’s Engebretson commits to Sioux Falls

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Ankeny girls' wrestling standout Elyse Engebretson has verbally committed to the University of Sioux Falls. Engebretson announced her decision via social media on Thursday. "So excited to announce that i will be continuing my academic and wrestling careers at the University of Sioux Falls!" Engebretson tweeted on X. "I couldn't … [Read more...] about ‘Can’t wait to take this next step’: Ankeny’s Engebretson commits to Sioux Falls

Raccoon River-NW edges Ankeny girls, again, to claim title at CIML Invitational

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team is still trying to figure out how to beat Raccoon River-Northwest. The top two squads in Class 2A collided for the fourth time this season on Tuesday in the CIML Conference Invitational at Northview Middle School. And, once again, No. 1 Raccoon River-Northwest came out on top, claiming the team title with 238.5 … [Read more...] about Raccoon River-NW edges Ankeny girls, again, to claim title at CIML Invitational

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Hayden Bratland, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

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Sophomore Hayden Bratland helped the Ankeny girls' wrestling team to the championship of the Bob Sharp Invitational on Friday at Ankeny High School. She won an individual title at 140 pounds, joining teammates Mady Postma at 135 and Haylee McGrew at 155 atop the awards podium. Bratland scored bonus points in all four of her matches, capped off by a fall … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Hayden Bratland, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

Ankeny girls dominate Sharp Invitational, crown 3 champs among their 9 finalists

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The Ankeny girls' wrestlers wrapped up the team title at their own Bob Sharp Invitational on Friday well before the final match was contested. Ankeny advanced nine girls to the finals, crowned three individual champions and racked up 252 points in the 14-team tournament at Ankeny High School. Linn-Mar was a distant second with 183.5 points. "We had a … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls dominate Sharp Invitational, crown 3 champs among their 9 finalists

Ankeny girls rack up 6 pins, win 5 matches by forfeit in 69-12 victory at Urbandale

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team rolled to a 69-12 victory at Urbandale in a CIML Conference dual meet on Tuesday. Ankeny recorded six falls, all but one of them in the first period. Coach Dustin Roland's team won five other matches by forfeit and also got a narrow victory in the final match at 110 pounds, where Zoe Sullivan posted an 8-6 decision over … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rack up 6 pins, win 5 matches by forfeit in 69-12 victory at Urbandale

Ankeny girls crown 4 individual champs, place 2nd behind Osage at Ogden Invite

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team crowned four individual champions and placed second overall in the Ogden Invitational on Saturday. Osage won the 27-team event with 231.5 points. The Green Devils were led by sisters Ainsley and Gable Hemann, who won titles at 100 and 110 pounds, respectively. Ankeny racked up 209.5 points to easily finish ahead of … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls crown 4 individual champs, place 2nd behind Osage at Ogden Invite

‘I couldn’t be happier’: Roland ecstatic despite Ankeny’s losses to top 2 teams

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It’s not every day that the third-ranked team in Class 2A girls' wrestling can view itself as an underdog going into a triangular. But Tuesday night was the exception for the Ankeny girls' wrestling squad at Northview Middle School. Under one roof, Ankeny hosted and was defeated in two close duals by the only two teams … [Read more...] about ‘I couldn’t be happier’: Roland ecstatic despite Ankeny’s losses to top 2 teams