The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers crowned three individual champions and placed second overall in the Don Miller Invitational on Saturday at Fort Dodge.
The Jaguars racked up 230.5 points in the 10-team tournament. Third-ranked Fort Dodge scored 243.5 points to defend its title.
“We were missing two state placewinners in our lineup (Lucas and Isaac Bruhl), and we only lost by 13 points,” said Centennial coach Jay Groth. “We wrestled pretty well.”
No. 3 Cale Vandermark at 113 pounds, Max Dhabolt at 144 and No. 7 Ari Ehlts at 165 each won a title for the Jaguars. It was the second straight crown for Vandermark, who won at 106 a year ago.
Vandermark (16-1) posted a 6-4 decision in the finals over Linden Phetxoumphone of Webster City, who is ranked second in Class 2A. Phetxoumphone was a state runner-up last year.
“Cale has now won two of the three matches against (Phetxoumphone) the last two years,” Groth said.
Dhabolt (13-0), a freshman, remained unbeaten by pinning his way to the title. He pinned Kade Bauer of Sioux City North in 4:48 in the finals.
“Max overcame the flu. He had a 102-degree fever on Friday, but he pinned his way through the tournament,” Groth said. “I knew coming in he was really talented. He wrestles for Sebolt Academy, and those guys typically put in a lot of time and a lot of work. I knew he was going to be a major factor. I don’t think he’s wrestled a full match yet.
“He’s been a great addition to the team,” he added.
Ehlts (14-3) pinned his first two opponents before posting a 7-0 decision over Justin Wirtz of Emmetsburg, who is ranked seventh in Class 1A.
“Ari beat a returning state qualifier,” Groth said. “He was a tough kid, but Ari controlled the whole match.”
Centennial got runner-up finishes from No. 9 Cody Vandermark at 120 and Mitchell Grider at 215. Grider took second last year at 220.
Vandermark (16-1) won his first two matches by fall before suffering his first loss of the season. He dropped a 1-0 decision to No. 2 Dru Ayala of Fort Dodge.
“Cody was in the match the whole time,” Groth said. “I think there could have been stalling called against Ayala in the third period, so I was a little disappointed by that. But we learned a few things, and Cody will see him again.”
Grider (9-2) won three matches to reach the finals. He was then pinned in 3:03 by No. 1 Dreshaun Ross of Fort Dodge, who was named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler.
“Dreshaun is one of the best wrestlers in the state if not the country,” Groth said. “But Mitchell lasted longer with him than his two opponents before him combined. He didn’t back down.”
Ethan Sodergren placed third for the Jaguars at 126. Sodergren (16-4) pinned Michael Clement of Decorah in 2:48 in the third-place match.
“Ethan wrestled really well,” Groth said. “He beat a state qualifier in first round. He’s come along really well.”
Centennial’s Andrew Roland at 132, Tyler Brennan at 138, Jackson Anonson at 150 and Jack Cahill at 190 each placed fourth.
“We had five third-place matches and only won one of them,” Groth said. “We need to win on the backside when those team points are important. We still have some work to do.”
The Jaguars will host a double dual meet against Council Bluffs Lewis Central and Valley on Thursday. It will be the team’s Senior Night.
