Iowa wrestling official kicks out fans during dual meet

An Iowa high school wrestling meet between two of the state’s top teams ended with no spectators in attendance for being rowdy and disruptive.

When Southeast Polk and Ankeny high schools squared off on the mats late last week, fans in attendance were asked to leave the premises when they were unable to conduct themselves in a proper manner.

An official kicked all of the fans in the gym due to their unruly conduct. Video from Central Iowa Sports Network shows fans in the floor seats getting loud while another group of spectators file into the stands. An announcer is seen giving spectators a warning to quiet down and, when things don’t change, fans are asked to leave the gym.

A recent report from KCCI.com detailed the decision to kick the fans out of the gym and what led up to that point. Below is an excerpt from the KCCI.com story.

Ankeny and Southeast Polk schools sent KCCI a joint statement but did not clarify why fans were kicked out.

“We recognize that the events that transpired at last night’s wrestling meet between Southeast Polk and Ankeny do not align with the values of sportsmanship and respect expected from all participants and spectators in the CIML,” the statement said. “Both schools are working together as we move forward to foster a positive and respectful environment.”

The Iowa High School Athletics Association said the group’s director of officials and wrestling administrator was unavailable to comment and did not clarify why fans were kicked out.

Retired longtime Ankeny wrestling coach Dave Ewing was at Thursday night’s dual and said the final 10 wrestlers competed in a near-empty gym.

“Ten wrestlers didn’t have their parents or good friends or any fans in the stands to watch them wrestle, and it was after about a 20-minute delay. Those are tough circumstances to try to compete under,” Ewing said.

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Ewing also said in his decades coaching wrestling he’s never seen that happen. He said he witnessed the announcer giving spectators a warning before they were asked to leave.

“It’s a heated rivalry, and it got a little bit chippy in some of the matches,” Ewing said. “The referee was under a lot of pressure, and the situation got to a point where the administration had to get involved and try to resolve things and be reminded of sportsmanship and how important that is.”

To read the full story from KCCI.com, click here.