(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
Jack Wignall
‘We are very excited to get this season rolling!’: Hawks return 6 state qualifiers
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
‘They were really motivated’: Centennial wrestlers end losing streak to Ankeny
The seniors on the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team were highly motivated for Thursday's dual meet against visiting Ankeny. The eighth-ranked Jaguars won nine of the 14 matches and recorded five falls en route to a 42-17 victory--their first over Ankeny since the 2019-20 season. "There was definitely some talk amongst the seniors who were saying, 'Hey, … [Read more...] about ‘They were really motivated’: Centennial wrestlers end losing streak to Ankeny
Folkers captures individual title, leads Hawks to tie for 5th at Mendenhall Invite
Ankeny wrestler Truman Folkers only needed to win two matches on Saturday to capture an individual title in the Jack Mendenhall Invitational at Ames. Folkers led his squad to a tie for fifth place in the 13-team field. Both Ankeny and Cedar Rapids Prairie finished with 138 points. Fort Dodge won the tournament with 195 points. Indianola was second with … [Read more...] about Folkers captures individual title, leads Hawks to tie for 5th at Mendenhall Invite
‘We knew it was going to be tough’: AHS wrestlers drop 60-6 decision at S.E. Polk
Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall wasn't looking forward to Thursday's dual meet at top-ranked Southeast Polk. "We knew it was going to be tough, and I think I had more anxiety about that than when we have a dual meet that is fun and close," said Wignall. "They're just really good, and where we're good they're a little bit better." The Rams won 12 of … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it was going to be tough’: AHS wrestlers drop 60-6 decision at S.E. Polk
PIN TO WIN: Hawks record 6 falls, rally from huge deficit to beat No. 12 Carlisle
The last time the Ankeny wrestlers competed at Carlisle, the Hawks weren't happy with their performance. It was a different story on Thursday. Ankeny, the No. 17 team in the Class 3A dual rankings, recorded six falls and posted a 36-31 victory at No. 12 Carlisle in a non-conference meet. The Hawks evened their overall mark at 5-5. "We were in … [Read more...] about PIN TO WIN: Hawks record 6 falls, rally from huge deficit to beat No. 12 Carlisle
Hawk wrestlers drop 39-33 decision at Johnston, will head to Battle of Waterloo
The Ankeny wrestling team is still a work in progress. That's why coach Jack Wignall wasn't too concerned about the Hawks' 39-33 loss at Johnston in a CIML Conference dual meet on Thursday. "We feel pretty good about where we're at," said Wignall. "If we get a couple of our guys back in January, I think we'll be OK." The Dragons won seven of the … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers drop 39-33 decision at Johnston, will head to Battle of Waterloo
Depleted Ankeny wrestlers finish in 10th place at Frank Baltzley Invitational
Due to some illnesses, the Ankeny wrestling team entered Saturday's Frank Baltzley Invitational at Johnston with a depleted lineup. The Hawks competed without two of their five ranked wrestlers, including second-ranked Ben Hansen at 144 pounds. Hansen has been sick all week, although he did record a pin on Thursday to help his team to a win over … [Read more...] about Depleted Ankeny wrestlers finish in 10th place at Frank Baltzley Invitational
THE TRUMAN SHOW: Folkers’ pin gives Hawks 35-32 triumph over Waukee
For the second week in a row, the Ankeny wrestling team battled its CIML Conference opponent down to the final match. This time, the Hawks came out on top. Truman Folkers pinned Waukee's Carson Crigger in 4 minutes 54 seconds at 132 pounds to give Ankeny a 35-32 victory over the visiting Warriors on Thursday. The Hawks evened their dual-meet record at … [Read more...] about THE TRUMAN SHOW: Folkers’ pin gives Hawks 35-32 triumph over Waukee
‘We knew it was going to be tough’: Hawk wrestlers place 14th at Donnybrook
Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall has a predicament on his hands. The Hawks' top two finishers in the Dan Gable Donnybrook on Friday and Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville were Ben Walsh and Isaac Wignall, who both competed at 106 pounds. "It does create a dilemma," said Wignall. "You have two kids that are that good at the same weight. At … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it was going to be tough’: Hawk wrestlers place 14th at Donnybrook
Dowling wrestlers overcome 21-point deficit to tie Hawks, then win on criteria
With four matches left in Thursday's CIML Conference dual meet at Dowling Catholic, the Ankeny wrestling team held a 16-point lead and appeared to be on its way to a season-opening victory. Then things suddenly went awry. Dowling reeled off four straight triumphs, Ankeny was penalized a team point along the way for unsportsmanlike conduct, and that … [Read more...] about Dowling wrestlers overcome 21-point deficit to tie Hawks, then win on criteria