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Boys' Wrestling

Centennial wrestlers crown 3 champs, place 2nd overall at Don Miller Invite

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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 … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers crown 3 champs, place 2nd overall at Don Miller Invite

Centennial wrestlers rack up 9 falls, romp to 67-11 victory over Dowling Catholic

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Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth felt pretty good about his team's chances heading into Thursday's dual meet against visiting Dowling Catholic. The Jaguars backed up his confidence by winning 12 of the 14 matches and rolling to a 67-11 victory. "We wrestled well," said Groth. "I've been doing this a long time and I always go through the … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers rack up 9 falls, romp to 67-11 victory over Dowling Catholic

Hawk wrestlers drop 39-33 decision at Johnston, will head to Battle of Waterloo

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The Ankeny wrestling team is still a work in progress. That's why coach Jack Wignall wasn't too concerned about the Hawks' 39-33 loss at Johnston in a CIML Conference dual meet on Thursday. "We feel pretty good about where we're at," said Wignall. "If we get a couple of our guys back in January, I think we'll be OK." The Dragons won seven of the … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers drop 39-33 decision at Johnston, will head to Battle of Waterloo

Depleted Ankeny wrestlers finish in 10th place at Frank Baltzley Invitational

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Due to some illnesses, the Ankeny wrestling team entered Saturday's Frank Baltzley Invitational at Johnston with a depleted lineup. The Hawks competed without two of their five ranked wrestlers, including second-ranked Ben Hansen at 144 pounds. Hansen has been sick all week, although he did record a pin on Thursday to help his team to a win over … [Read more...] about Depleted Ankeny wrestlers finish in 10th place at Frank Baltzley Invitational

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Truman Folkers, Ankeny wrestling

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Ankeny wrestler Truman Folkers earned a runner-up finish at 126 pounds in the Frank Baltzley Invitational on Saturday at Johnston. The fifth-ranked Folkers recorded a pair of falls before dropping a 10-0 major decision to No. 3 Maximus Riggins of Southeast Polk in the finals. Folkers, a junior, has compiled a 7-2 record. He placed fifth in the Dan Gable … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Truman Folkers, Ankeny wrestling

Jaguars dominate Centennial Duals, capture title for 7th consecutive year

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers dominated the Centennial Duals on Saturday, easily winning the tournament for the seventh consecutive year. The Jaguars defeated their five opponents by an average margin of 57-18. They raised their record to 9-0 on the season. "I thought we wrestled pretty well," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "The boys came out, got … [Read more...] about Jaguars dominate Centennial Duals, capture title for 7th consecutive year

THE TRUMAN SHOW: Folkers’ pin gives Hawks 35-32 triumph over Waukee

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For the second week in a row, the Ankeny wrestling team battled its CIML Conference opponent down to the final match. This time, the Hawks came out on top. Truman Folkers pinned Waukee's Carson Crigger in 4 minutes 54 seconds at 132 pounds to give Ankeny a 35-32 victory over the visiting Warriors on Thursday. The Hawks evened their dual-meet record at … [Read more...] about THE TRUMAN SHOW: Folkers’ pin gives Hawks 35-32 triumph over Waukee

Centennial wrestlers notch 7 falls, stay unbeaten with 48-21 win at Urbandale

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers remained unbeaten in dual-meet competition with a 48-21 victory at Urbandale on Thursday. The Jaguars won eight of the 14 matches and recorded seven falls. They improved their records to 2-0 in the CIML Conference and 4-0 overall. "We wrestled well, but we've got to win the close matches," said Centennial coach Jay … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers notch 7 falls, stay unbeaten with 48-21 win at Urbandale

Jaguars crown 3 individual champs, take 2nd overall at Keith Young Invitational

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Even with a depleted lineup, the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers earned runner-up honors in the Keith Young Invitational on Saturday at Cedar Falls. The Jaguars scored 177 points in the 16-team tournament. Dubuque Hempstead captured the crown with 184.5 points. "Our guys wrestled much better than they did on Thursday (against Waukee)," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars crown 3 individual champs, take 2nd overall at Keith Young Invitational

‘We knew it was going to be tough’: Hawk wrestlers place 14th at Donnybrook

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall has a predicament on his hands. The Hawks' top two finishers in the Dan Gable Donnybrook on Friday and Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville were Ben Walsh and Isaac Wignall, who both competed at 106 pounds.  "It does create a dilemma," said Wignall. "You have two kids that are that good at the same weight. At … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it was going to be tough’: Hawk wrestlers place 14th at Donnybrook

‘We got the job done’: Jags top Waukee, but aren’t satisfied with performance

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A moral victory is defined as a defeat that can be interpreted as a victory on moral terms, because the defeated team exceeded its expectations. The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team may have experienced the opposite of a moral victory on Thursday, when the Jaguars posted a 39-24 win over a visiting Waukee squad that they defeated a year ago by 66 … [Read more...] about ‘We got the job done’: Jags top Waukee, but aren’t satisfied with performance

Dowling wrestlers overcome 21-point deficit to tie Hawks, then win on criteria

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With four matches left in Thursday's CIML Conference dual meet at Dowling Catholic, the Ankeny wrestling team held a 16-point lead and appeared to be on its way to a season-opening victory. Then things suddenly went awry. Dowling reeled off four straight triumphs, Ankeny was penalized a team point along the way for unsportsmanlike conduct, and that … [Read more...] about Dowling wrestlers overcome 21-point deficit to tie Hawks, then win on criteria

Centennial wrestlers romp to wins over Albia, West Marshall to open season

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Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth isn't sure what the Jaguars' best lineup will be just yet. But the one that he put on the mat Tuesday night looked pretty good. Centennial opened the season with a pair of lopsided victories in a double dual meet. The host Jaguars posted a 58-16 win over Albia, then rolled to a 72-6 triumph over West … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers romp to wins over Albia, West Marshall to open season

Ankeny wrestlers look to reload after graduating 4 state placewinners

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The Ankeny wrestling team suffered some heavy losses to graduation last spring, forcing coach Jack Wignall to fill some holes in the Hawks' lineup. Five of the squad's nine state qualifiers and four of the six placewinners will have to be replaced. "We did lose a talented group of seniors," said Wignall. "They won a lot of matches and scored … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers look to reload after graduating 4 state placewinners

‘It’s such a huge part of my life’: Anderson decides to wrestle, commits to Mavericks

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Jace Anderson has rediscovered his love for the sport of wrestling. The Ankeny senior has committed to wrestle for Minnesota State-Mankato, an NCAA Division II program. "I think the toughest part of the decision was deciding to wrestle in college," said Anderson, a four-time state qualifier and a three-time placewinner. "After state, I was devastated … [Read more...] about ‘It’s such a huge part of my life’: Anderson decides to wrestle, commits to Mavericks

Hawk wrestlers place 10th, Jaguars finish 12th in Class 3A state tournament

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It was a rollercoaster Saturday for the Ankeny wrestling team during the consolation finals of the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The Hawks went 3-7 on the day and finished in 10th place overall with 89.5 points. Still, they had six placewinners for the first time under coach Jack Wignall. "It was a really fun tournament," said … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers place 10th, Jaguars finish 12th in Class 3A state tournament

Ankeny wrestlers fall to 10th, Jaguars drop to 12th after semifinal losses

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It was a rough Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena for the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Crosstown rival Ankeny fared considerably better in the Class 3A state tournament, especially in the consolation rounds. The Hawks went 6-3 on the back sides of the brackets and are now in 10th place with 81.5 points. Six of Ankeny's nine state qualifiers earned … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers fall to 10th, Jaguars drop to 12th after semifinal losses

‘That was awesome’: Cale Vandermark, Lucas Bruhl punch tickets to semifinals

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Ankeny Centennial freshman Cale Vandermark was getting tired during his quarterfinal match at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Thursday. His opponent, though, was beginning to fade as well under the bright lights at Wells Fargo Arena. The sixth-seeded Vandermark got a takedown in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime, then got … [Read more...] about ‘That was awesome’: Cale Vandermark, Lucas Bruhl punch tickets to semifinals

MOVING ON: Ankeny’s Hansen, Anderson advance to semifinals for first time

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In each of the last two seasons, Ankeny wrestlers Ben Hansen and Jace Anderson couldn't advance past the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament. On Thursday night at Wells Fargo Arena, the duo smashed through that hurdle in impressive fashion. The third-seeded Hansen posted a 6-2 decision over No. 6 Trevor Oberbroeckling of Southeast Polk in a … [Read more...] about MOVING ON: Ankeny’s Hansen, Anderson advance to semifinals for first time