When you get Southeast Polk wrestling involved, the intensity gets turned up to another level.
That was the case in Ankeny, Iowa, on Thursday night, when the No. 1 and nationally ranked Rams entered the Hawk gym for a dual against Ankeny.
While the outcome of the meet was never in doubt, the final score, “Southeast Polk 60, Ankeny minus-1,” sparked some speculation.
I’ve never heard of this happening in any sport. Both Ankeny and Southeast Polk crowds were asked to leave after eight matches.
Based off live stream both crowds were rowdy but that is standard for wrestling duals.
Not clear if an official or AD decision.#IAhswr pic.twitter.com/AWLm8ivoCb
— Tony Hager (@hagertony) January 10, 2025
If you’ve never been to a wrestling dual in Iowa, you’ll notice that the fans on both sides of the mat – or sitting together on one if that’s the preferred layout – are always engaged, yelling, and convinced they’re not getting the best of the calls.
That was certainly true for Southeast Polk supporters as well as Ankeny fans.
And after hearing about it all night, the officials in charge of the action on the mat had had their fill.
According to multiple online reports, fans from both teams were forced to leave early for their cars. Not just a few of them.
Everybody.
Before the wrestlers could return to the mat, officials threw every man, woman, and child from the stands and into the parking lot. As a side note, this had to lead to some very interesting conversations both on the way out of the gym and as people packed into their vehicles and drove away.
Having covered numerous duals and tournaments over the years, the most intriguing aspect of the wrestling community in Iowa is their genuine enthusiasm for the sport as a whole.
While some may wonder if the action outside the gym was just as intense, I believe fans from both sides banded together to “team up” in opposition to what was going on on the mats.
Southeast Polk and Ankeny were both docked one team point for flagrant misconduct, resulting in an interesting final score with a negative number.
The Rams won all 14 matches, including a thrilling 1-0 victory at 132 pounds by Carter Pearson over Calvin Rathjen.
Looking over the night’s scoresheet, one could almost guess that the Pearson vs. Rathjen match was the tipping point that led to an empty gym. Pearson received one escape point in the second period, following a scoreless first.
With the outcome of the dual already decided, Ankeny fans were likely hoping for a bright spot in the form of an upset victory by Rathjen.
Pearson’s victory followed the night’s only other close match, in which Max Riggins defeated Truman Folkers 4-2 at 126 pounds. Riggins scored a second-period takedown around Folkers’ escapes, and added his own escape point in the third to seal the victory.
Dokken Biladeau, Abraham Bushong, Wyatt Gibson, Oaklee Keomala, Hansen Holden, Cooper Martinson, Jaxsen Vestal, Nico DeSalvo, Christopher Lawson, Nash Hanson, Justis Jesuroga, and Logan Trenary all scored for Southeast Polk.
Southeast Polk and Ankeny are not scheduled to play together for the rest of the regular season. However, they are both highly ranked in the Iowa High School Athletic Association dual team rankings, which could result in a rematch at the state duals in Coralville if both qualify.
The Rams currently lead the rankings, while the Hawks are fourth.
