Wrestling is commonly seen as an individual sport in which wrestlers compete in isolation, but is that truly the case? Ankeny High School (AHS) senior Andrew Haase wants to challenge that narrative and prove that the wrestlers are not just a team but a family. Andrew knows that creating a tight-knit wrestling environment is just as important as individual talent, and he uses his leadership skills to push himself and his teammates to better themselves on and off the mat. 

Influential figures in Andrew’s life, like coach Jack Wignall, emphasize how integral Andrew is to the sense of camaraderie of the AHS wrestling team. While Andrew prioritizes and excels in his main sport, football, which garnered him a scholarship, he still shows his commitment to his wrestling family. He strives to help lead his teammates in the right direction, to show that the brotherhood of the Ankeny wrestling team extends beyond the mat.

“…One of the things that is different about this team is that they like each other,” Wignall said. “They like to spend time together, and I think that Andrew… has been a catalyst for that to happen.”

Andrew loves to keep things lighthearted and fun, a sentiment that many of his teammates seem to share. After all, the people on the wrestling team are the reason why Andrew went out for wrestling in the first place. They are his guiding figures, his role models, and most importantly, his family. 

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“You’d think wrestling would be like an individual sport, but it’s very much a team,” senior and Ankeny wrestling team manager Lucie Albin said. “They want [the wrestlers] to be friends, but they also want them to hold each other accountable.”

Contrary to popular belief, wrestling is a team-based sport. Even though the wrestlers may compete separately, they all train together and cheer each other on, sometimes becoming rowdy in the process. To keep the wrestlers in line, vocal leaders like Andrew must step up. 

“If we have a standard, we have to uphold that standard … that’s what I think being a vocal leader is really about,” Andrew, the 215-pound varsity wrestler said. “[Meaning] holding someone up to that standard and actually calling them out on their behavior.” 

Andrew’s specialty is ensuring that everyone works hard, preventing distractions and disruptions. Managers like Albin recognize this, saying that he “[pulls] people up with him.” 

Haase does not let himself get lazy either.

“His sweats are soaked through every practice, and it’s not just because it’s hot in there,” Albin said. 

Andrew is known for calling others out for foul language and for laziness, like how a big brother would keep their sibling on track. 

“He just puts forth effort, regardless of how he is feeling or what’s going on,” Wignall said. “He puts forth one hundred percent effort in every drill that we do and at every practice.”

Coach Wignall also believes that commitment is essential for becoming a dominant wrestler. Staying dedicated and working hard is how wrestlers like Andrew get better and win more matches. Andrew seemingly gives everything he has to the mat every day, hungry for improvement. However, it is difficult to keep this up.

“You’ll feel [like giving up] some days, it’s not going to be sunshine and rainbows every day,” Andrew said. “It’s discipline. Some days are going to suck worse than others.”

The difficulty of wrestling is reportedly a well-known fact, and having discipline is the difference between successful wrestlers and those who do not wish to continue. Andrew continues to show up and work as hard as he can, fueled by last year’s record of 8 and 20, Andrew says. 

Now, in his last season wrestling ever, he decided to “go 100 percent in everything [he does] with it,” Andrew said. 

Andrew’s dedication led to his best season yet, and wrestling is not his primary sport, which is football. This means Andrew has had less time on the mat than other wrestlers. His work ethic has allowed him to earn that varsity spot. Part of Andrew’s journey to the varsity mat was developing his mentality.

“I am big into visualizing the entire match. Just constantly thinking about what positions I want to get to,” Andrew said. “I keep it in my mind as I have prepared for this. I have trained for this. I am ready for this, and I think a big piece of this season has just been gaining confidence.”

Wrestling is highly dependent on mental strength. Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial, as losing confidence or focus can lead to defeat. Getting to positions he likes helps Andrew stay comfortable and in control, leading the match in the right direction to his win. This mindset has led to Andrew’s improved record and overall wrestling ability. However, no wrestler is immune to loss.

“I genuinely think he takes [a loss] as a learning opportunity,” Albin said. “He asks the coaches afterward about the match. [Losing is] a big part of the game, but I think he responds to it really well and grows and bounces back pretty quick.”

Every wrestler loses at some point, and Andrew is no stranger to that fact. Despite this, Andrew sees the loss as something he can and must overcome, so he continues to work, knowing that his discipline will bring him better results in his next match. However, this discipline must extend beyond the mat to reach the standard of the wrestling team, something expected of vocal leaders like Andrew.

“[Wrestlers must] be disciplined in everything from their studies to how they treat their parents, their siblings, family, friends, and out in the community… it’s important to have all of those things,” Wignall said.

If a wrestler causes trouble outside of the mat or has poor grades, they are not allowed to wrestle in competition. Wrestlers must work on themselves as a person, and it is only when they perform at a high level in all areas of their lives that they can truly become the best wrestler they can be. Character, integrity, and values are important to the sport. 

“My values are important to me, like being a Christian and just being a leader in the school,” Andrew said. “It’s important to portray those values and always keep them at the forefront.”