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Jack Wignall

Ankeny wrestlers romp past depleted Maroons, will host Sharp Invite Saturday

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The Ankeny wrestling team tuned up for Saturday's Bob Sharp Invitational with a 62-14 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic on Thursday. The Hawks raised their dual-meet records to 4-2 in the CIML Conference and 10-4 overall. "We knew it was going to be a short night," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "They've got some kids who were out with … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers romp past depleted Maroons, will host Sharp Invite Saturday

No. 1 S.E. Polk completes dominant win over Ankeny matmen before empty gym

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Emotions were running high on Thursday night as two of the state's top wrestling teams in Class 3A collided in a CIML Conference dual at the Ankeny High School gym. The final six matches of top-ranked Southeast Polk's dominant win over No. 4 Ankeny were contested before an empty gym after the referee ejected the entire crowd due to some unruly fans and … [Read more...] about No. 1 S.E. Polk completes dominant win over Ankeny matmen before empty gym

Ankeny wrestlers defeat Central Decatur, Centerville to raise their dual record to 9-3

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The fourth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team bounced back from Thursday's loss to visiting Johnston with a pair of non-conference victories Saturday on its home mat. The Hawks rolled to a 61-12 win over Central Decatur, then followed with a 59-8 triumph over Centerville. They raised their overall dual record to 9-3. "We knew these two teams didn't have a … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers defeat Central Decatur, Centerville to raise their dual record to 9-3

‘Our kids wrestled really hard’: Hawks build lead, but Dragons rally for 37-29 win

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The Ankeny wrestling team built a double-digit lead against visiting Johnston in a top-10 matchup on Thursday night. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough of a cushion. The eighth-ranked Dragons recorded three pins and a technical fall in the final four matches to defeat No. 4 Ankeny, 37-29, in a CIML Conference dual. The Hawks dropped to 3-1 in the league … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids wrestled really hard’: Hawks build lead, but Dragons rally for 37-29 win

Ankeny wrestlers earn 6th-place finish among 32 teams at Battle of Waterloo

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The Ankeny wrestling team went 4-2 and placed sixth overall among 32 squads in the Battle of Waterloo on Friday and Saturday at Young Arena. The sixth-ranked Hawks are now 7-2 on the season heading into the holiday break. "We wrestled really well," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "The kids fought for every point that they could get all … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers earn 6th-place finish among 32 teams at Battle of Waterloo

‘It was a fun night’: Ankeny wrestlers rely on bonus points to defeat Centennial

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Ankeny senior Andrew Haase wanted his last Jag-Hawk wrestling dual to be a memorable one. He did his part to make sure that it was. Haase recorded one of his team's five falls as the Hawks rallied from an early 13-0 deficit to beat visiting Ankeny Centennial, 40-33, in a CIML Conference matchup on Thursday. "It feels really good," said Haase. "It … [Read more...] about ‘It was a fun night’: Ankeny wrestlers rely on bonus points to defeat Centennial

Walsh, Folkers lead Ankeny wrestling team to 11th-place finish at Donnybrook

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall wanted to test his wrestlers by competing in the Dan Gable Donnybrook on Friday and Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The challenge was as tough as he expected. The Hawks placed 11th in the 38-team field with 187 points. They had four top-10 finishers. "It was a huge challenge," said Wignall. "Our upper … [Read more...] about Walsh, Folkers lead Ankeny wrestling team to 11th-place finish at Donnybrook

‘I saw what I wanted to see’: Ankeny wrestlers thump Valley in opener, 53-19

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) From the start of the very first practice to late February, everything is done with the plan to succeed by the time the state wrestling tournament arrives. The Ankeny wrestling team is already prepping for February as the Hawks found big success in their first of three days of competition this week with a season-opening … [Read more...] about ‘I saw what I wanted to see’: Ankeny wrestlers thump Valley in opener, 53-19

‘We are very excited to get this season rolling!’: Hawks return 6 state qualifiers

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The strength of the Ankeny wrestling team will be at the lower weights. The Hawks return six of their nine state qualifiers from a year ago, and five of them competed at the five lowest weights. "I think that we have several guys on our team that can win state titles, like our three placewinners and potentially some others as well," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about ‘We are very excited to get this season rolling!’: Hawks return 6 state qualifiers

Centennial wrestlers place 4th, Hawks finish 14th in Class 3A state tournament

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Jack Wignall and Jay Groth both walked away from Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday with their heads held high. The respective coaches for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial wrestling teams had plenty of reasons to be proud of their teams' performances over the last four days. They also had bright futures to be excited about. Fourth-ranked Centennial placed … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers place 4th, Hawks finish 14th in Class 3A state tournament

Centennial quartet, Ankeny duo come up short in Class 3A semifinal matches

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It was a rough Friday afternoon for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial wrestling teams. The two squads combined to go 0-for-6 in the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. "That blood round has come back to haunt us for the second year in a row," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We didn't have a very good one last year … [Read more...] about Centennial quartet, Ankeny duo come up short in Class 3A semifinal matches

Hansen, Wignall reach semifinals, but trio of OT losses sting for Hawk wrestlers

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Ankeny's bid for a top-10 finish in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament took a major hit on Thursday afternoon during the second day of the four-day meet at Wells Fargo Arena. The Hawks advanced two wrestlers into Friday's semifinals, but lost three matches in overtime and another one by just one point. They are now in 15th place with 45.5 points … [Read more...] about Hansen, Wignall reach semifinals, but trio of OT losses sting for Hawk wrestlers

Hawks are tied for 9th place in Class 3A, advance 5 wrestlers to quarterfinals

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With only three top-eight seeds among its nine state qualifiers, the Ankeny wrestling team likely wasn't expected to contend for a top-10 finish at this week's Class 3A tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. But the Hawks are doing just that. On Wednesday, Ankeny went 8-4 on the opening day of the tournament and advanced five wrestlers to Thursday's … [Read more...] about Hawks are tied for 9th place in Class 3A, advance 5 wrestlers to quarterfinals

‘I feel like we qualified a good number of kids’: Hawks advance 9 wrestlers to state

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The Ankeny wrestling team placed second in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Norwalk and qualified nine wrestlers for this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Ninth-ranked Johnston captured the district crown with 239.5 points. The Hawks finished with 182.5 points. Ankeny crowned two champions among its six finalists and had three … [Read more...] about ‘I feel like we qualified a good number of kids’: Hawks advance 9 wrestlers to state

Hawk wrestlers beat Valley again, then fall to Indianola in final of regional dual

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The Ankeny wrestling team was hoping to earn a third consecutive trip to the state duals tournament. Second-seeded Indianola proved to be an obstacle that the Hawks couldn't overcome. The host Indians posted a 45-15 victory over No. 15 Ankeny in the final of a regional duals tournament on Tuesday. The Hawks, who placed fourth in Class 3A a year ago, … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers beat Valley again, then fall to Indianola in final of regional dual

Hawk wrestlers roll past Valley, will meet Tigers again in Class 3A regional dual

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Thursday's wrestling dual meet at Ankeny was a preview of Tuesday's regional dual at Indianola. Ankeny posted a 46-15 victory over Valley in its final dual of the regular season. The Hawks finished 3-5 in the CIML Conference and raised their overall record to 8-9. The two teams will meet again in the opening round of a Class 3A regional dual next … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers roll past Valley, will meet Tigers again in Class 3A regional dual

‘Our kids wrestled hard’: Hawks notch 5 pins, but drop 33-32 decision to Wolves

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall saw some progress from his team despite a close loss on Tuesday. The 12th-ranked Hawks dropped a 33-32 decision to No. 6 Waukee Northwest in a CIML Conference dual meet at Southview Middle School. The Wolves got a pin from Abe Parker at 190 pounds to close out the meet. "It was pretty close," said Ankeny coach Jack … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids wrestled hard’: Hawks notch 5 pins, but drop 33-32 decision to Wolves

‘I feel like we’re getting better’: Hawks romp past Urbandale on Senior Night

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It was a memorable Senior Night for Ben Hansen and the Ankeny wrestlers. The fourth-ranked Hansen won by a technical fall at 144 pounds to help the Hawks to a 57-15 victory over visiting Urbandale on Thursday. He was honored after his match for earning his 100th career win earlier this season. "It was especially nice doing it in the home gym," said … [Read more...] about ‘I feel like we’re getting better’: Hawks romp past Urbandale on Senior Night