Senior Andrew Roland helped the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team to a Class 3A district crown on Saturday at Fort Dodge. He won an individual title at 126 pounds, joining five of his teammates atop the awards podium.
Roland qualified for state for the third consecutive year. He currently boasts a 23-15 record.
Here is some inside info on Roland:
Congratulations on winning your first varsity tournament title. How does it feel to be a district champion?
Winning a district title was a goal I had for myself, and it feels really good to go out there and get it done.
You pinned your first two opponents in less than a minute before recording an 18-2 technical fall over Danny Cleveland of Sioux City East in the championship match. Were you confident going into the tournament that you could win a crown?
Going into the tournament, I knew I had the ability to win it. But I also knew I couldn’t be too confident, and I would have to be in a good headspace to wrestle my best.
The top seed in your bracket, Owen Duffek of Council Bluffs Lewis Central, had posted an 8-3 decision over you at the regional duals on Feb. 4. Were you surprised that he got pinned by Cleveland in the semifinals?
I wasn’t too surprised; I knew anything could happen. I saw Duffek go out there aggressively, and he paid the price. I was also a little disappointed when I watched him lose, though. I really wanted to get my get back and prove that I was the better wrestler. It’s something that meant a lot to me.
The team title was the second in a row for Centennial and the third in school history. Did you think your team could win the crown in such convincing fashion, finishing nearly 20 points ahead of sixth-ranked Fort Dodge?
Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking about winning the district as a team. Everyone was just so focused on having their own best tournament. But looking back, I knew our team would win it. We’ve taken some losses this season. But we have so many great wrestlers, and we showed that this weekend.
Your team qualified a total of nine wrestlers for this week’s state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Is that about how many qualifiers you thought your team would have?
I knew everybody on our team had a great shot at qualifying. I’m very proud of bringing nine qualifiers to the state tournament, and I’m not surprised we had that many.
You were a state qualifier last year at 132. Do you feel like you have a better chance to become a placewinner this year at 126?
Becoming a state placewinner has been one of my main goals for a while, and I knew going to 126 would give me a way better shot at accomplishing something I’ve been working hard at.
You are seeded ninth and will face No. 24 Colby Cross of Marshalltown in the opening round on Wednesday, with the winner to meet No. 8 Easton Jorgenson of Waverly-Shell Rock in the second round. What do you think of your draw?
I really like this draw; it’s a lot better than the previous two years. While I will be facing the No. 24 seed in the first round, I know I can’t go out there expecting him to roll over. Every year there’s upsets at this tournament. You just can’t count anyone out. I lost to the No. 8 seed earlier in the year, so having the opportunity to face him again is exciting.
You have some of the state’s best wrestlers in your bracket, including No. 1 Christian Castillo of Ames–your potential opponent in Thursday’s quarterfinals. Do you feel like he is the guy to beat for the title?
Christian is definitely the guy to beat for the title. I haven’t gotten the chance to wrestle him yet, but I’ve seen him wrestle a few times. He has had a great year.
Your team placed fourth in last year’s tournament, matching the highest finish in school history. What is the goal for the team this year?
My goal for the team this year is to have a state champ. We have a lot of wrestlers capable of pulling it off. It would be the first time in school history we’ve had a champion.
Is it hard to believe that your high school career is almost over, and what will you miss the most about wrestling for the Jaguars?
My high school career has gone very fast, and it is hard to believe that it will be over in a week. What I think I’ll miss most is just being with the team during tournaments and on bus rides.
Are you planning to take your wrestling skills to the next level?
I’m not planning on wrestling in college.
What are your plans then?
I’m going to attend Iowa State next year. I’m still deciding on what to major in.