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
Jack Wignall
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
‘It’s a pretty good feeling’: Kingston, Hawk matmen top Jags to avenge football loss
Ankeny heavyweight Joe Kingston hasn't forgotten what happened on the night of Sept. 3. That's when Kingston and the Ankeny football team suffered a 14-7 loss to Ankeny Centennial in what turned out to be one of the biggest upsets during the regular season. Kingston was determined not to let the same thing happen on the wrestling mat. The junior … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a pretty good feeling’: Kingston, Hawk matmen top Jags to avenge football loss
Ankeny wrestlers post 4-2 mark at Battle of Waterloo, place 6th among 32 teams
Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall is excited about where his team is at heading into the holiday break. He's even more excited about where the Hawks are headed. Ankeny defeated four of its six opponents and placed sixth overall among 32 squads in the Battle of Waterloo on Friday and Saturday at Young Arena. The 10th-ranked Hawks are now 7-2 on the … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers post 4-2 mark at Battle of Waterloo, place 6th among 32 teams
Hawk matmen adjust their lineup, record 7 pins in 42-38 win at Waukee Northwest
The Ankeny wrestling coaches devised a strategy to knock off Waukee Northwest in a matchup of two of the state's top teams. It paid off with a 42-38 victory on Thursday at Northwest. "The kids wrestled hard," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "It was really (assistant coach) Austin Anderson's idea to bump some of our guys up a weight. That was the only … [Read more...] about Hawk matmen adjust their lineup, record 7 pins in 42-38 win at Waukee Northwest
Anderson, Hansen claim titles, lead Hawk wrestlers to runner-up finish at Johnston
Trever Anderson and Ben Hansen each won an individual title to lead the Ankeny wrestling team to a runner-up finish in the Frank Baltzley Invitational on Saturday at Johnston. JJ Maihan and Will Hinrichs each placed second at their respective weights for the seventh-ranked Hawks, who racked up 195 points to finish 10.5 points ahead of third-place … [Read more...] about Anderson, Hansen claim titles, lead Hawk wrestlers to runner-up finish at Johnston
SENIOR NIGHT SUCCESS: Hawk matmen finish strong to defeat Fort Dodge, 42-30
The Ankeny wrestling team honored its seniors on Thursday night, including Trever Anderson, who was also recognized for earning his 100th career victory last weekend. The seventh-ranked Hawks opened their CIML Iowa Conference dual-meet schedule with a 42-30 triumph over visiting Fort Dodge. They improved their record to 2-0 on the season. "Overall, our … [Read more...] about SENIOR NIGHT SUCCESS: Hawk matmen finish strong to defeat Fort Dodge, 42-30
Anderson captures Donnybrook crown, leads Hawk wrestlers to 11th-place finish
Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall wanted to challenge his team by entering the Dan Gable Donnybook. The 33-team tournament, which was held on Friday and Saturday at the Coralville XTREAM Arena, featured many of the top wrestlers across the Midwest. Ankeny's Trever Anderson showed that he belongs in that elite group with a dominating performance. … [Read more...] about Anderson captures Donnybrook crown, leads Hawk wrestlers to 11th-place finish
Hawk wrestlers win final 6 matches to post 43-29 victory over Valley in opener
Trever Anderson has waited more than nine months to get back onto the wrestling mat. Now, he'll have to wait a few more hours. The two-time state champion won his first match of the season on Thursday via a forfeit as the seventh-ranked Ankeny wrestling team rallied from a 29-10 deficit to defeat visiting Valley, 43-29, in a non-conference dual … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers win final 6 matches to post 43-29 victory over Valley in opener
Two-time champ Anderson among 8 returning state qualifiers for Hawks
Ankeny wrestler Trever Anderson has a chance to make some history this season. The senior could become the first three-time state champion ever produced by the city of Ankeny. "His goal was to be committed before the season started, and he did that by signing with (coach) Doug Schwab and the Northern Iowa Panthers," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. … [Read more...] about Two-time champ Anderson among 8 returning state qualifiers for Hawks
‘I ended up tearing my labrum in half’: Anderson recovering from surgery
Two-time state wrestling champion Trever Anderson of Ankeny is recovering from shoulder surgery. Anderson, a junior, underwent surgery on March 29 to repair a torn labrum. "I ended up tearing my labrum in half," Anderson said following Monday's Jag-Hawk soccer game. "So they basically had to reconstruct it." Anderson injured his right shoulder on … [Read more...] about ‘I ended up tearing my labrum in half’: Anderson recovering from surgery
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Isaac O’Toole, Ankeny wrestling
Isaac O'Toole is a member of the Ankeny wrestling team. He helped the Hawks to an 11-6 dual-meet record this season. "Isaac puts the team first," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "He’s a 106-pounder that wrestled 113, but also bumped up to wrestle 120…and he only weighs about 112. Whatever we asked from him, the answer was always, 'Yes!'. "He … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Isaac O’Toole, Ankeny wrestling
‘It feels really good to prove them wrong again’: Anderson wins his 2nd state title
For the last 12 months, Ankeny wrestler Trever Anderson has been motivated to erase the memory of last year's disappointing third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament. He wasn't even going to let a bum shoulder get in his way. The top-ranked junior captured his second state title on Saturday with a 3-2 victory over No. 3 Chad Bellis of Dubuque … [Read more...] about ‘It feels really good to prove them wrong again’: Anderson wins his 2nd state title
Hawks flex their muscles, move into 5th place in Class 3A team standings
Caleb Rathjen isn't talking to reporters, but he and the rest of the Ankeny wrestlers are doing plenty of talking on the mat. Rathjen and Trever Anderson both advanced to Saturday's championship round, Cael Cox and Cade Bennethum each won consolation matches to earn a top-six finish, and the eighth-ranked Hawks moved into fifth place in the Class 3A state … [Read more...] about Hawks flex their muscles, move into 5th place in Class 3A team standings
‘It’s pretty crazy what we’re doing right now’: Hawks advance 7 to quarterfinals
Ankeny junior Trever Anderson fully expected to reach the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state wrestling tournament. He just didn't expect to have so many of his teammates along for the ride. The eighth-ranked Hawks advanced seven wrestlers to Friday's quarterfinals at Wells Fargo Arena. Two other Ankeny qualifiers stayed alive in the consolation … [Read more...] about ‘It’s pretty crazy what we’re doing right now’: Hawks advance 7 to quarterfinals
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Jack Wignall, Ankeny wrestling
The Class 3A Central District Coach of the Year has guided the Hawks into sixth place after the opening day of the state tournament. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Jack Wignall, Ankeny wrestling