A long layoff didn't seem to bother the Ankeny wrestling team. Competing for the first time since Dec. 20, the seventh-ranked Hawks easily captured the team title in the Jack Mendenhall Invitational on Saturday at Ames. They scored 211.5 points to finish 58.5 points ahead of No. 4 Fort Dodge, which placed second in the 17-team field. "We had an 18-day … [Read more...] about Hansen, Anderson win titles, lead Hawks to overall crown at Mendenhall Invite
Boys' Wrestling
Centennial wrestlers crown 4 champs, capture overall title at Lepic Invite
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers crowned four individual champions and also captured the team title in the Tom Lepic Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City West. The Jaguars racked up 189.5 points, 16 more than runner-up Pleasant Valley. Norwalk, Fort Madison and Iowa City West also competed in the round-robin event. "We wrestled an aggressive style," … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers crown 4 champs, capture overall title at Lepic Invite
‘We did what we needed to do’: Jaguars get bonus points to edge Fort Dodge
Last month, Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth said his team's runner-up finish at the Don Miller Invitational would have felt even better if the Jaguars could have defeated host Fort Dodge. On Thursday, Groth's team returned to Fort Dodge and accomplished what it couldn't on Dec. 17. Tenth-ranked Centennial posted a 35-33 victory over the No. … [Read more...] about ‘We did what we needed to do’: Jaguars get bonus points to edge Fort Dodge
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Xander Kenworthy, Ankeny wrestling
Senior Xander Kenworthy has helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team to a 12-1 record, including a 5-0 mark in the CIML Conference. He is currently ranked seventh in Class 3A at 182 pounds with a 13-2 record. Kenworthy was a state qualifier last year at 170. He posted a 26-15 mark as a junior. Here is some inside info on Kenworthy: How is the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Xander Kenworthy, Ankeny wrestling
Hawk wrestlers record 12 pins, throttle Waukee schools to raise record to 12-1
The Ankeny wrestling team is getting a well-deserved break. After placing third in the Battle of Waterloo over the weekend, the fourth-ranked Hawks completed their pre-Christmas schedule on Tuesday with a CIML Conference triangular meet at Waukee. They rolled to a 55-18 victory over the host Warriors, then followed with a 48-26 win over No. 13 Waukee … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers record 12 pins, throttle Waukee schools to raise record to 12-1
‘We have to fight’: Jaguars seek mental toughness after losing to Valley, S.E. Polk
It's not often that a wrestling team would want to be compared to the NFL's Detroit Lions. But that's exactly who Ankeny Centennial coach Jay Groth compared his squad to following Tuesday's triangular meet at Southeast Polk. "We've got to get healthy," Groth said after the Jaguars suffered losses to Southeast Polk and Valley. "We have three varsity … [Read more...] about ‘We have to fight’: Jaguars seek mental toughness after losing to Valley, S.E. Polk
‘We’re putting the whole state on notice’: Hawks finish 3rd at Battle of Waterloo
The Ankeny wrestling program is moving into uncharted territory. The Hawks turned in a spectacular performance on Friday and Saturday at the Battle of Waterloo, where they advanced to the championship bracket for the first time ever and defeated two nationally-ranked teams en route to a third-place finish overall. "I tried to stay in the moment because … [Read more...] about ‘We’re putting the whole state on notice’: Hawks finish 3rd at Battle of Waterloo
Bruhl leads Jaguars to runner-up finish, named most outstanding wrestler
A strong performance in the Don Miller Invitational led to an enjoyable trip home from Fort Dodge for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers on Saturday. Only one thing would have made it even better. "If we beat Fort Dodge, it would have been a really good day," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "So we had a pretty good day." The fifth-ranked Dodgers won … [Read more...] about Bruhl leads Jaguars to runner-up finish, named most outstanding wrestler
‘We knew we could win this dual’: Hawks beat Jaguars, maintain bragging rights
The Ankeny wrestling team was confident going into Thursday's dual meet against its crosstown rival. But Ankeny coach Jack Wignall made sure that the sixth-ranked Hawks weren't too confident. "You've seen it in football. It's the game within the game," Wignall said. "You just never know, and Jay (Groth) is a good wrestling coach who knows how to win … [Read more...] about ‘We knew we could win this dual’: Hawks beat Jaguars, maintain bragging rights
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Truman Folkers, Ankeny sophomore
The No. 6 wrestler in Class 3A at 113 pounds posts a 7-2 decision over No. 12 Cody Vandermark of Ankeny Centennial to help the Hawks to a 42-26 victory over their crosstown rival. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Truman Folkers, Ankeny sophomore
JAG-HAWK PREVIEW: Crosstown rivals battle for mat supremacy on Thursday
Due to some technical issues, we were not able to post this week's Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America that previewed Thursday night's Jag-Hawk wrestling dual. However, here are the highlights from publisher Dan Holm's interviews with Coldwell Banker realtor Tiffany Rumelhart, Ankeny assistant coach Austin Anderson, Ankeny … [Read more...] about JAG-HAWK PREVIEW: Crosstown rivals battle for mat supremacy on Thursday
Hawk matmen advance 5 to finals, crown 2 champs, place 3rd at Baltzley Invite
Saturday's Frank Baltzley Invitational at Johnston featured many of the top wrestling teams in Class 3A. Ninth-ranked Ankeny proved that it belongs among the state's elite squads. The Hawks crowned two individual champions and placed third in the 14-team field with 179.5 points. They finished nine points ahead of No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock, the defending … [Read more...] about Hawk matmen advance 5 to finals, crown 2 champs, place 3rd at Baltzley Invite
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cael Wiener, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Senior Cael Wiener helped the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to the championship of the Centennial Duals on Saturday. The Jaguars won the tournament for the sixth straight time. Wiener, who is ranked 11th in Class 3A at 138 pounds, won all five of his matches on the day--recording three falls and a pair of major decisions. He raised his record to … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cael Wiener, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Jaguars edge Carlisle, claim Centennial Duals crown for 6th straight time
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team wasn't tested on Saturday until its final match at the Centennial Duals. The Jaguars easily defeated their first four opponents before edging Carlisle, 31-29, in the championship match. They won the tournament for the sixth straight time. "We wrestled well," said Centennial coach Jay Groth, whose team is now 11-0 on … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge Carlisle, claim Centennial Duals crown for 6th straight time
Jaguars improve to 6-0 with win over Missouri foe, will host dual tourney next
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team tuned up for Saturday's Centennial Duals with a 57-16 victory over visiting Park Hill South (Mo.) on Friday. The Jaguars recorded seven falls while raising their mark to 6-0 on the season. "We wrestled OK," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "Our guys fight and scrap so we are happy about that. We are still finding … [Read more...] about Jaguars improve to 6-0 with win over Missouri foe, will host dual tourney next
‘Our guys are giving us everything they have’: Hawks top Webster City, Ballard
With some of its best wrestlers still out of the lineup, Ankeny nevertheless managed to earn a pair of victories on Thursday at Huxley. But it wasn't easy. The Hawks, who are sixth in the Class 3A dual rankings, opened the triangular meet with a 41-35 win over Webster City. They later posted a 36-30 triumph over the host Bombers to improve to 3-0 on … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys are giving us everything they have’: Hawks top Webster City, Ballard
Jaguars rack up 23 pins, romp past 3 foes at C.B. Lewis Central quadrangular
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team turned in a dominating performance on Tuesday at the Council Bluffs Lewis Central quadrangular. The Jaguars easily defeated all three of their opponents, racking up 23 pins while raising their record to 5-0. They posted a 66-16 win over Clarinda, a 66-18 victory over Denison-Schleswig, and a 65-11 triumph over Lewis … [Read more...] about Jaguars rack up 23 pins, romp past 3 foes at C.B. Lewis Central quadrangular
‘Our kids didn’t quit’: Hawk wrestlers run into tough foes at Donnybrook event
Coach Jack Wignall never wants his Ankeny wrestling team to shy away from strong competition. That's why the Dan Gable Donnybrook on Friday and Saturday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville was such a positive experience for the Hawks. "This was arguably the toughest high school tournament in the country this weekend," said Wignall. "There were some teams … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids didn’t quit’: Hawk wrestlers run into tough foes at Donnybrook event
Bruhl, Cody Vandermark claim titles; Jaguars place 4th at Mustang Invite
This isn't the same Ankeny Centennial wrestling team that opponents will see later in the season. That's what coach Jay Groth is hoping anyway. The Jaguars placed fourth among 14 teams in the Andy Davidson Mustang Invitational on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. They finished with 184.5 points. "We had some guys who overperformed and some guys who … [Read more...] about Bruhl, Cody Vandermark claim titles; Jaguars place 4th at Mustang Invite
‘It’s pretty gratifying’: Hawk matmen open season with 39-32 win at No. 3 Johnston
Last month, Joe Kingston and the Ankeny football team ended the season with a loss to Johnston in the Class 5A quarterfinals. On Thursday, Kingston and a couple of his football teammates earned a measure of revenge on the wrestling mat. Kingston, Will Hinrichs and Cade Bennethum each recorded a fall as the sixth-ranked Hawks opened their season with a … [Read more...] about ‘It’s pretty gratifying’: Hawk matmen open season with 39-32 win at No. 3 Johnston