Ankeny Fanatic

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Caleb Rathjen

Rathjen tops Edwards in 1 vs. 2 showdown, but Hawks fall to Johnston

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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

Hawk wrestlers tie for 5th place among 33 teams at Cliff Keen Invitational

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The Ankeny wrestling team proved over the weekend that it belongs on the mat with some of the best squads in the Midwest. The eighth-ranked Hawks tied with Linn-Mar (Marion) for fifth place among 33 teams in the Cliff Keen Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Independence. Both squads finished with 228 points. Simley (Minn.) won the prestigious … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers tie for 5th place among 33 teams at Cliff Keen Invitational

‘I can’t wait to wear the Black and Gold!”: Ankeny’s Rathjen chooses Hawkeyes

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Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen wrestles with an aggressive mentality that fits perfectly with the Iowa wrestling style. In a couple of years, Rathjen will get his chance to wrestle for the Hawkeyes. Rathjen announced on Thursday via Twitter that he has verbally committed to join Iowa's program in 2021. "I'm very proud and excited to announce my commitment … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to wear the Black and Gold!”: Ankeny’s Rathjen chooses Hawkeyes

Ankeny’s Rathjen places 4th at Cadet freestyle world team trials

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Caleb Rathjen proved once again this weekend that he belongs on the national wrestling stage. The Ankeny High School junior-to-be placed fourth at 60 kilos (132 pounds) in the Cadet freestyle world team trials at Akron, Ohio. He posted a 6-2 record at the trials, which were held at the Louis and Freda Stile Athletic Field House. "I thought my … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen places 4th at Cadet freestyle world team trials

Anderson, Rathjen drop overtime matches in War at West Gym

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Ankeny wrestling standouts Trever Anderson and Caleb Rathjen both participated in the War at West Gym on Saturday in Cedar Falls. The state champion duo both competed for Team Blue, which suffered a 32-10 loss to Team Red. The event featured 26 of the state's top boys' and girls' wrestlers. The meet was sponsored by IAWrestle.com. Anderson dropped a … [Read more...] about Anderson, Rathjen drop overtime matches in War at West Gym

SOLID GOLD: Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson capture state wrestling titles

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall waited six years to crown his first individual state champion. He only had to wait about 30 minutes for his second one. Ankeny's top-ranked duo of Trever Anderson and Caleb Rathjen each won a title in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena, leading the Hawks to their best finish since the … [Read more...] about SOLID GOLD: Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson capture state wrestling titles

Anderson, Rathjen could capture twin titles for Hawk wrestlers

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Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen watched from the bowels of Wells Fargo Arena as Trever Anderson turned in a dominating performance in the semifinals of the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Friday afternoon. A few minutes later, Rathjen joined his teammate in earning a trip to Saturday night's finals, giving the top-ranked duo a chance to capture twin … [Read more...] about Anderson, Rathjen could capture twin titles for Hawk wrestlers

THUMBS UP: 3 Jaguars, 2 Hawks to wrestle for state titles on Saturday night

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The Class 3A state wrestling finals on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena will feature a quintet of competitors from the community of Ankeny. Fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial will be represented by a trio of finalists--top-ranked Ben Monroe at 132 pounds, No. 5 Eric Owens at 145 and No. 2 Logan Neils at 170. Monroe, a two-time state runner-up, will be … [Read more...] about THUMBS UP: 3 Jaguars, 2 Hawks to wrestle for state titles on Saturday night

Jaguars advance 5 wrestlers, Hawks send 3 to Class 3A quarterfinals

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Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial are off to good starts in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Fifth-ranked Centennial still has six wrestlers alive following Thursday's opening round, including five quarterfinalists. The Jaguars are in ninth place with 17 points in the team standings. "I'm happy for the six that are still … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance 5 wrestlers, Hawks send 3 to Class 3A quarterfinals

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

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

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

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

Ankeny wrestlers headed to Cadet and Junior National Championships

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  Four wrestlers from Ankeny will be competing in the 2018 Cadet and Junior National Championships in Fargo, N.D., beginning on Saturday. It is the premiere youth tournament in the United States. Trever Anderson, a freshman-to-be at Ankeny High School, has qualified in the Cadet Division along with Caleb Rathjen, an incoming sophomore at … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers headed to Cadet and Junior National Championships

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Rathjen, Ankeny wrestling

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Caleb Rathjen is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The Ankeny freshman placed second at 113 pounds in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. Rathjen advanced to the finals before dropping a 10-8 decision to top-ranked Nick Oldham of Valley in a seesaw match. He compiled a 20-2 record … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Rathjen, Ankeny wrestling

Valley’s Oldham edges Rathjen in seesaw battle for state title

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On Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena, Caleb Rathjen was 2 minutes away from winning his first state wrestling title. Now, the Ankeny freshman will have to wait 365 days to get another shot at winning a crown. Valley's top-ranked Nick Oldham rallied in the third period to beat the second-ranked Rathjen, 10-8, in the Class 3A championship match at 113 … [Read more...] about Valley’s Oldham edges Rathjen in seesaw battle for state title