Ankeny Centennial's Cael Wiener was a lot more relaxed heading into this year's Class 3A state wrestling tournament. He felt even better after advancing to Friday's quarterfinals. The eighth-ranked Wiener posted a 12-6 decision over No. 7 Nate Bierma of Valley in a first-round match at 113 pounds on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. He Improved his record … [Read more...] about Wiener advances to quarterfinals; 3 other Jaguars alive in consolation bracket
Wrestling
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cody Vandermark, Centennial wrestling
Freshman Cody Vandermark is a member of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. He helped the Jaguars to a 16-7 dual record this season. "Cody is an undersized 106-pounder--he weighs 93 pounds--who has subbed for us at 106 numerous times, often on short notice," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "He works his tail off." Vandermark closed out his season on … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cody Vandermark, Centennial wrestling
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Cahill, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Junior Carter Cahill is one of six state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Cahill, who is ranked sixth in Class 3A at 160 pounds, placed second in a district tournament on Saturday at Marshalltown. Cahill currently boasts a 26-8 record. He will meet Kacey Ross of Urbandale (24-4) in the opening round of the state tournament on Thursday … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Cahill, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Helmkamp wins district title, advances to state along with 5 other Jaguars
Ankeny Centennial's Jackson Helmkamp and Cael Wiener are heading back to the state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Four of their teammates will be joining them. Helmkamp won a Class 3A district title on Saturday at Marshalltown to earn his third consecutive trip to state, while Wiener claimed runner-up honors to qualify for the second year … [Read more...] about Helmkamp wins district title, advances to state along with 5 other Jaguars
Jaguars use JV lineup, fall to No. 3 Waukee in final at regional duals
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers decided to play it safe on Wednesday night. Using a lineup of junior varsity matmen, the Jaguars posted a 46-9 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes in a Class 3A regional dual before dropping an 81-0 decision to host Waukee in the final round. The third-ranked Warriors advanced to next week's state duals tournament at Wells … [Read more...] about Jaguars use JV lineup, fall to No. 3 Waukee in final at regional duals
‘I’d probably give us about a C’: Jaguars tie for 8th place at Ed Winger Invite
Saturday wasn't a great day for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers. The Jaguars tied for eighth place among 20 teams in the prestigious Ed Winger Invitational at Urbandale. They finished with 87 points, equaling the total amassed by a Valley squad that Centennial defeated earlier this month, 51-24. "I'd probably give us about a C," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘I’d probably give us about a C’: Jaguars tie for 8th place at Ed Winger Invite
Boyle’s pin in OT sparks Centennial wrestlers to 66-11 victory over Mohawks
Thursday's dual meet got off to an exciting start for the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. The rest of the night went pretty well for the Jaguars, too. Heavyweight Logan Boyle provided an early spark with a fall in overtime and Centennial went on to defeat visiting Mason City, 66-11, in a CIML Iowa Conference matchup. The Jaguars improved their dual … [Read more...] about Boyle’s pin in OT sparks Centennial wrestlers to 66-11 victory over Mohawks
Bruhl returns to lineup, helps Jaguars to 4-1 record at Osage Duals
After losing to top-ranked Southeast Polk midway through the tournament, the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers rebounded on Saturday to defeat two other rated opponents to close out the Osage Duals. The Jaguars posted a 36-34 victory over Osage, then followed with a 35-30 win over Independence. Those teams are ranked No. 2 and No. 8, respectively, in Class … [Read more...] about Bruhl returns to lineup, helps Jaguars to 4-1 record at Osage Duals
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Logan Song, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Sophomore Logan Song is a member of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. He has helped the Jaguars to a 10-5 record. Song filled in at 138 pounds earlier this season when eighth-ranked teammate Jackson Helmkamp was out with an injury. He posted an 11-1 major decision over Ames' Jordan Corrieri to help the Jaguars to a 57-24 victory on Dec. 22 at … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Logan Song, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jackson Helmkamp, Centennial wrestling
Junior Jackson Helmkamp has helped the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team to a 10-5 record this season. The two-time state qualifier is ranked eighth at 138 pounds in Class 3A with a 13-1 mark. Helmkamp won all eight of his matches last week, including victories over a trio of ranked opponents. He defeated No. 9 Jace Anderson of Ankeny on Monday and No. 7 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jackson Helmkamp, Centennial wrestling
Cahill, Helmkamp lead Centennial to runner-up finish at Allie Morrison Duals
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers took another step forward on Saturday during the Allie Morrison Duals at Marshalltown. The Jaguars placed second in the tournament with a 3-2 record. They are now 10-5 on the season. Still, Centennial coach Jay Groth said his team has more work to do. "We're getting there," he said. "But I'm not happy with the way we … [Read more...] about Cahill, Helmkamp lead Centennial to runner-up finish at Allie Morrison Duals
Centennial wrestlers rack up 13 falls in wins over Marshalltown, Valley
Jay Groth was hoping that his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers would bounce back from a loss to Ankeny in a big way. The Jaguars certainly did. Centennial defeated a pair of visiting opponents in a double dual meet on Thursday. The Jaguars posted a 50-25 victory over Marshalltown in a non-conference dual, then later topped Valley, 51-24, in a CIML Iowa … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers rack up 13 falls in wins over Marshalltown, Valley
PIN TO WIN: Centennial wrestlers rack up 8 falls in 57-24 victory over Ames
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers spend a lot of extra time in practice working on their pinning techniques. Those efforts paid off in a big way on Tuesday. The Jaguars celebrated their Senior Night with a 57-24 victory over visiting Ames in their CIML Iowa Conference opener, racking up eight falls along the way. "For the most part, I was pretty happy … [Read more...] about PIN TO WIN: Centennial wrestlers rack up 8 falls in 57-24 victory over Ames
Centennial’s Boyle defeats teammate to win title at Don Miller Invitational
Saturday's Don Miller Invitational featured another dominant performance by the host Fort Dodge wrestlers. The fourth-ranked Dodgers crowned five individual champions and racked up 233 points to win their own tournament for the sixth consecutive time. Thirteen teams competed in the event, including Ankeny Centennial. No. 10 Dowling Catholic placed … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Boyle defeats teammate to win title at Don Miller Invitational
‘We did not wrestle well as a team’: Jaguars fall to Bluejays, Indians
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team fell to 4-2 on the season after losing a pair of dual meets on Thursday at Indianola. The Jaguars suffered a 40-34 defeat to Bondurant-Farrar. They also dropped a 48-25 decision to the host Indians. "We (stunk) tonight," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We did not wrestle well as a team." The meet against … [Read more...] about ‘We did not wrestle well as a team’: Jaguars fall to Bluejays, Indians
Jaguars roll past 3 opponents, win Centennial Duals for 4th straight year
Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Duals wrestling tournament was limited to four teams due to COVID-19 protocols. The Jaguars still dominated their own event, claiming the title for the fourth straight year. Centennial improved its overall record to 4-0 with three lopsided victories. The Jaguars rolled to a 66-15 win over Newton, cruised to a 52-25 triumph … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past 3 opponents, win Centennial Duals for 4th straight year
Jaguars record 6 falls, open their season with 50-21 victory at Ottumwa
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers made their long-awaited season debut on the mat Thursday, rolling to a 50-21 victory in a dual meet at Ottumwa. The Jaguars racked up six pins en route to the win. They handed Ottumwa (8-1) its first loss of the season. "First of all, it was great to be back on the mat competing," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "Our … [Read more...] about Jaguars record 6 falls, open their season with 50-21 victory at Ottumwa
‘We’ll be ready to go’: Jaguars want to be hammers–whenever season begins
Jay Groth isn't worried about whether his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers will be in shape once the Ankeny school district returns to in-person classes. "I've told them, 'When we get back--whenever that is--we're going to be ready to compete,'" Groth said. "And we'll know if you haven't been doing what you need to do to be able to compete, because you'll run … [Read more...] about ‘We’ll be ready to go’: Jaguars want to be hammers–whenever season begins
‘We saw the real Ben Monroe’: Centennial star closes career with 3rd-place finish
Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe closed out his illustrious high school wrestling career with one of his biggest victories. The fourth-ranked Monroe posted a 7-5 decision over No. 1 Deven Strief of North Scott to earn a third-place finish at 145 pounds in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. He finished the season with a 40-3 … [Read more...] about ‘We saw the real Ben Monroe’: Centennial star closes career with 3rd-place finish
Monroe rebounds from quarterfinal loss, becomes 4-time placewinner for Jaguars
The dream of an individual state championship ended on Friday morning for Ankeny Centennial wrestlers Ben Monroe and Logan Neils. Both seniors suffered losses in the Class 3A quarterfinals at Wells Fargo Arena, but the fourth-ranked Monroe could still place as high as third at 145 pounds. He rebounded with a pair of major decisions in the consolation … [Read more...] about Monroe rebounds from quarterfinal loss, becomes 4-time placewinner for Jaguars