Regional dual assignments announced: Jags to host, while Ankeny faces Valley

Ankeny Centennial’s Cody Vandermark battles Ankeny’s Aiden Winkie during a 120-pound match in a dual meet on Jan. 11 at Centennial. Vandermark and the Jaguars will host a Class 3A regional dual on Tuesday, Jan. 30, while Winkie and the Hawks will travel to Indianola to face Valley in the opening round. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

The regional dual wrestling assignments have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

Fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial will host a regional dual on Tuesday, Jan. 30. No. 11 Johnston will face No. 21 Cedar Rapids Xavier in the opening round at 6 p.m., with the winner to then face Centennial for the right to advance to the state duals on Feb. 3 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

The Jaguars, who posted a 35-30 victory at Johnston on Jan. 4, are seeking their second straight trip to the state duals. They placed eighth a year ago.

No. 15 Ankeny, meanwhile, is seeking its third consecutive trip to the state duals. The Hawks will face No. 18 Valley in the opening round of a regional dual at Indianola, with the winner to then face the No. 2 Indians.

Ankeny posted a 43-25 win over Valley in the quarterfinals of last year’s state duals and went on to place fourth in Class 3A. The Hawks will also host Valley in their regular-season finale on Thursday.