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Jack Wignall

WELL DONE: Ankeny’s Rathjen, Kallem to wrestle for state titles on Saturday night

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Whenever Caleb Rathjen steps on the wrestling mat, he brings a ton of confidence with him. His teammate on the Ankeny squad, Sam Kallem, boasts just as much confidence in his own abilities. Both Rathjen and Kallem advanced to the Class 3A finals on Saturday night with a pair of victories on Friday in the state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The duo … [Read more...] about WELL DONE: Ankeny’s Rathjen, Kallem to wrestle for state titles on Saturday night

Ankeny advances 3 wrestlers into semifinals, surges into top 10 of Class 3A

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Sixth-ranked Ankeny has surged into eighth place in the Class 3A state tournament after advancing three wrestlers into the semifinals on Friday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena. The Hawks will also have a fourth placewinner in 10th-ranked Cael Cox at 120 pounds. The junior lost to defending state champion Drake Ayala of Fort Dodge in the quarterfinals on … [Read more...] about Ankeny advances 3 wrestlers into semifinals, surges into top 10 of Class 3A

Hawks rack up 4 falls in opening round, sit in 12th place heading into Friday

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The Ankeny wrestling team stormed through the opening round of the Class 3A state tournament on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. The sixth-ranked Hawks advanced four of their five qualifiers to Friday's quarterfinals, and all four of them recorded falls. "It's kind of what I hoped for and what I expected out of those four guys," said Ankeny coach Jack … [Read more...] about Hawks rack up 4 falls in opening round, sit in 12th place heading into Friday

Ankeny wrestlers crown 5 champs, place 2nd overall at district tourney

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The Ankeny wrestling team crowned five individual champions en route to a second-place finish in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Leading the way were defending state champions Trever Anderson at 113 pounds and Caleb Rathjen at 138. The top-ranked duo easily captured district titles to punch their ticket to next week's … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers crown 5 champs, place 2nd overall at district tourney

Without 4 regulars, Hawk wrestlers tumble to Norwalk in regional dual

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Although his team failed to advance to the state duals tournament, Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall was happy that the Hawks got an opportunity to compete on Wednesday night. Ankeny, the No. 14 team in the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Class 3A dual rankings, dropped a 43-28 decision to No. 15 Norwalk in the opening round of a … [Read more...] about Without 4 regulars, Hawk wrestlers tumble to Norwalk in regional dual

Ankeny wrestlers fall into 16-0 hole, then win final 11 matches against Bobcats

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The Ankeny wrestlers tuned up for the postseason with a 65-16 victory at Marshalltown in a non-conference meet on Thursday. The Hawks, who are 13th in the Class 3A dual rankings by The Predicament, improved to 14-5 on the season. Marshalltown dropped to 8-14. "We had some kids get a win tonight that really needed it," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "I … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers fall into 16-0 hole, then win final 11 matches against Bobcats

Ankeny trio, Centennial’s Neils capture individual titles at CIML Invitational

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If Friday's CIML Invitational at Southeast Polk was any indication of what's going to happen later this month at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament, then both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial could make a lot of noise at Wells Fargo Arena. The eighth-ranked Jaguars placed second in Friday's 16-team tournament, while the No. 7 Hawks took fourth. It was … [Read more...] about Ankeny trio, Centennial’s Neils capture individual titles at CIML Invitational

Busy week for Hawk wrestlers ends with win over Dowling, Dave Ewing Duals title

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The Ankeny wrestlers got some much-needed time on the mat last week. After placing third in their own Bob Sharp Invitational on Jan. 20, the Hawks celebrated their Senior Night on Thursday with a 42-33 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic. They then defeated five more opponents on Saturday to win the Dave Ewing Duals at Ankeny. "Some of our kids … [Read more...] about Busy week for Hawk wrestlers ends with win over Dowling, Dave Ewing Duals title

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Nike Coulthard, Ankeny wrestling

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Nike Coulthard is a member of the Ankeny wrestling team. He has helped the Hawks to a 7-5 dual record. Coulthard filled in at 126 pounds during Ankeny's 40-23 loss to visiting Johnston on Thursday. He dropped a 5-3 decision to Aidan Honkomp. "Nike is a good kid," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "He is always there for us and works hard." Ankeny … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Nike Coulthard, Ankeny wrestling

Hawks crown 3 champs, earn 3rd-place finish overall at Bob Sharp Invitational

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While Martin Luther King Jr. Day provided a day off for many people, that wasn't the case for the Ankeny wrestlers. The seventh-ranked Hawks hosted the Bob Sharp Invitational after Saturday's tournament was postponed until Monday due to inclement weather. Ten of the 13 teams that were originally slated to compete traveled to Ankeny for the rescheduled … [Read more...] about Hawks crown 3 champs, earn 3rd-place finish overall at Bob Sharp Invitational

No Cael, no Jace, no problem: Hawk wrestlers pin 54-15 loss on Urbandale

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The Ankeny wrestling team competed without two of its ranked wrestlers on Thursday. It didn't matter. The Hawks, who are 13th in The Predicament's Class 3A dual rankings, won 11 of the 14 matches and rolled to a 54-15 victory at Urbandale. They raised their records to 1-1 in the CIML Central Conference and 7-4 overall. "It was a good win for us," … [Read more...] about No Cael, no Jace, no problem: Hawk wrestlers pin 54-15 loss on Urbandale

Anderson wins rematch against Fousek; Hawks finish 10th at Battle of Waterloo

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The Ankeny wrestling team came away from the Battle of Waterloo last weekend with a 4-2 record. More importantly, the prestigious two-day tournament challenged the fifth-ranked Hawks. "We do something similar at Independence (with the Cliff Keen Invitational), and there's another tournament that is like that and that's the state tournament," said … [Read more...] about Anderson wins rematch against Fousek; Hawks finish 10th at Battle of Waterloo

Centennial wins final 3 matches to top Ankeny in Jag-Hawk showdown

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After switching places in the latest Class 3A rankings by The Predicament, eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 5 Ankeny may have to revert back to their preseason spots. The visiting Jaguars won the final three matches to defeat Ankeny, 38-29, in the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams on Thursday. It was Centennial's seventh win in eight … [Read more...] about Centennial wins final 3 matches to top Ankeny in Jag-Hawk showdown

Jag-Hawk dual could be determined by outcome of several swing matches

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Thursday's wrestling showdown between fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 8 Ankeny will likely be decided by the outcome of several toss-up matches. The crosstown rivals will meet for their annual clash at 7:30 p.m. at Ankeny High School. Centennial brings a 6-1 record into the CIML Central Conference opener, while Ankeny has a 2-1 mark. "Both teams … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk dual could be determined by outcome of several swing matches

Hawks crown 3 champs, place 2nd overall at Frank Baltzley Invitational

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All things considered, the Ankeny wrestling team had a pretty good day Saturday in the Frank Baltzley Invitational at Johnston. The eighth-ranked Hawks crowned three individual champions and placed second in the 12-team field with 188 points. No. 10 Johnston won the tournament with 227.5. "I think our kids were wore out," said Ankeny coach Jack … [Read more...] about Hawks crown 3 champs, place 2nd overall at Frank Baltzley Invitational

Hawks top Lincoln, but fail to capitalize against depleted S.E. Polk team

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Southeast Polk's vaunted wrestling team appeared to be somewhat vulnerable entering Thursday's double dual meet against Des Moines Lincoln and host Ankeny. The second-ranked Rams, who were the runner-up in last year's Class 3A state tournament, fielded a lineup that was missing several varsity regulars. "I think they had two or three kids not make … [Read more...] about Hawks top Lincoln, but fail to capitalize against depleted S.E. Polk team

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

Hawk wrestlers flex their muscles, pummel Mason City in season opener

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The eighth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team will take some momentum into the Cliff Keen Invitational this weekend after rolling to a 63-15 victory at No. 9 Mason City in its season opener on Thursday. The Hawks won 11 of the 14 matches and recorded seven pins. "Mason City is down except for about four weights," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "But we … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers flex their muscles, pummel Mason City in season opener