A long layoff didn't seem to bother the Ankeny wrestling team. Competing for the first time since Dec. 20, the seventh-ranked Hawks easily captured the team title in the Jack Mendenhall Invitational on Saturday at Ames. They scored 211.5 points to finish 58.5 points ahead of No. 4 Fort Dodge, which placed second in the 17-team field. "We had an 18-day … [Read more...] about Hansen, Anderson win titles, lead Hawks to overall crown at Mendenhall Invite
Jack Wignall
‘We’re putting the whole state on notice’: Hawks finish 3rd at Battle of Waterloo
The Ankeny wrestling program is moving into uncharted territory. The Hawks turned in a spectacular performance on Friday and Saturday at the Battle of Waterloo, where they advanced to the championship bracket for the first time ever and defeated two nationally-ranked teams en route to a third-place finish overall. "I tried to stay in the moment because … [Read more...] about ‘We’re putting the whole state on notice’: Hawks finish 3rd at Battle of Waterloo
‘We knew we could win this dual’: Hawks beat Jaguars, maintain bragging rights
The Ankeny wrestling team was confident going into Thursday's dual meet against its crosstown rival. But Ankeny coach Jack Wignall made sure that the sixth-ranked Hawks weren't too confident. "You've seen it in football. It's the game within the game," Wignall said. "You just never know, and Jay (Groth) is a good wrestling coach who knows how to win … [Read more...] about ‘We knew we could win this dual’: Hawks beat Jaguars, maintain bragging rights
Hawk matmen advance 5 to finals, crown 2 champs, place 3rd at Baltzley Invite
Saturday's Frank Baltzley Invitational at Johnston featured many of the top wrestling teams in Class 3A. Ninth-ranked Ankeny proved that it belongs among the state's elite squads. The Hawks crowned two individual champions and placed third in the 14-team field with 179.5 points. They finished nine points ahead of No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock, the defending … [Read more...] about Hawk matmen advance 5 to finals, crown 2 champs, place 3rd at Baltzley Invite
‘Our guys are giving us everything they have’: Hawks top Webster City, Ballard
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
‘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
‘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
‘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
‘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
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 place 3rd, Jaguars finish 4th in final year of CIML’s 18-team tournament
As the wrestling season heads into the home stretch, both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial are sitting in good positions. The two teams earned top-four finishes in the CIML Invitational on Friday at Johnston. This was the final year of the 18-team tournament before the CIML splits into two conferences next year. Eighth-ranked Ankeny placed third with 174 … [Read more...] about Hawks place 3rd, Jaguars finish 4th in final year of CIML’s 18-team tournament
Hawks roll past Marshalltown, will head to Johnston for CIML Invite on Friday
The Ankeny wrestling team tuned up for Friday's CIML Invitational by romping to a 66-12 victory over visiting Marshalltown on Thursday. The eighth-ranked Hawks won 12 of the 14 matches and had eight falls. They finished 6-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and improved their overall dual-meet record to 15-2. Heavyweight Joe Kingston opened the meet by … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past Marshalltown, will head to Johnston for CIML Invite on Friday
Centennial, Ankeny girls achieve success on wrestling mat, look ahead to future
It was a good weekend for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial female wrestlers. The future for the sport of girls' wrestling looks even brighter. While both Ankeny schools had some competitors in the girls' state tournament, the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced prior to the start of the championship round that it will begin sanctioning … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny girls achieve success on wrestling mat, look ahead to future
Ankeny wrestlers capture Dave Ewing Duals crown for 3rd consecutive year
After more than a week off, the Ankeny wrestling team returned to action on Saturday and won the Dave Ewing Duals for the third consecutive year. The eighth-ranked Hawks defeated all five of their opponents to raise their overall record to 14-2. They posted a 43-21 victory over Bondurant-Farrar in what turned out to be the deciding match, then later … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers capture Dave Ewing Duals crown for 3rd consecutive year
Anderson wins another title; Ankeny matmen place 2nd at Mendenhall Invite
The Ankeny wrestling team followed Thursday's victory at Ankeny Centennial with a second-place finish in the Jack Mendenhall Invitational on Saturday at Ames. Indianola won the 17-team tournament with 161 points. The ninth-ranked Hawks finished with 153.5 points, while No. 7 Fort Dodge took third with 137.5. "We're recovering from some kids being out … [Read more...] about Anderson wins another title; Ankeny matmen place 2nd at Mendenhall Invite