The intensity increases significantly when Southeast Polk wrestling is included.
That was the situation Thursday night in Ankeny, Iowa, when the Rams, who are rated first in the country, went into the Hawk gym to play Ankeny in a dual.
Although the final score—Southeast Polk 60, Ankeny minus-1—generated some conjecture, the outcome of the meet was always certain.
I’ve never heard of any sport experiencing this. After eight games, the audiences in Southeast Polk and Ankeny were asked to disperse.
Both crowds were boisterous, according to the live feed, but that is typical in wrestling duals.
It’s unclear if this is an AD or official decision.AWLm8ivoCb #IAhswrpic.twitter.com
On January 10, 2025, Tony Hager (@hagertony)
The supporters on either side of the mat, or seated together on one if that is the preferred arrangement, are always involved, shouting, and certain they aren’t receiving the best calls, if you haven’t been a wrestling dual in Iowa.
That was undoubtedly the case for both Ankeny and Southeast Polk supporters.
And the officials in charge of the activity on the mat had had enough of hearing about it all night.
Numerous internet reports claim that supporters of both sides were compelled to depart early in order to get to their vehicles. Not only some of them.
Everyone.
Officials threw every man, woman, and child out of the grandstand and into the parking lot before the wrestlers could go back on the mat. when an aside, this must have generated some really fascinating discussions when people piled into their cars and drove away, as well as on the walk out of the gym.
The most fascinating thing about the Iowa wrestling community, based on my years of covering many duals and tournaments, is their sincere passion for the sport in general.
I think supporters of both teams united to oppose what was happening on the mats, even though some could question whether the action outside the gym was equally fierce.
Due to egregious misconduct, Southeast Polk and Ankeny were each fined one team point, making for an intriguing final score with a negative number.
Carter Pearson’s exciting 1-0 victory over Calvin Rathjen at 132 pounds was one of the Rams’ 14 victories.
One could probably assume, based on the scoreboard for the evening, that the Pearson vs. Rathjen bout was the decisive factor that resulted in the gym being empty. After a scoreless first period, Pearson was given one escape point in the second.
Since the result of the duel was already known, Ankeny supporters probably hoped that Rathjen’s unexpected victory would be a bright point.
Pearson’s triumph came after Max Riggins, weighing 126 pounds, upset Truman Folkers 4-2 in the only other tight contest of the evening. After taking out Folkers in the second period, Riggins added his own escape point in the third to complete the triumph.
Southeast Polk scored goals through Dokken Biladeau, Oaklee Keomala, Abraham Bushong, Wyatt Gibson, Hansen Holden, Cooper Martinson, Jaxsen Vestal, Nico DeSalvo, Christopher Lawson, Nash Hanson, Justis Jesuroga, and Logan Trenary.
For the remainder of the regular season, Southeast Polk and Ankeny are not expected to play together. They are both highly regarded in the Iowa High School Athletic Association dual team standings, though, and if both qualify, they might face off again at the state duals in Coralville.
Right now, the Rams are at the top of the rankings, and the Hawks are in fourth place.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.