Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe doesn't show a lot of emotion on the wrestling mat. That didn't change on Saturday when Monroe earned his 100th career victory while helping the Jaguars to the championship of the Linn-Mar Duals. "To me, that milestone is just another number," Monroe said. "My real goal is to improve and work as hard as I can each and … [Read more...] about Monroe reaches 100-win milestone as Jaguars capture Linn-Mar Duals title
Wrestling
Owens reaches 100-win milestone, helps Jaguars to victory over Dowling
Eric Owens earned his 100th career victory to help the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to a 50-17 triumph at Dowling Catholic on Thursday. Owens, who is ranked sixth at 145 pounds, reached the milestone by pinning Max Derry in 2 minutes 46 seconds. "I always had the goal of getting 100 wins since my freshman year," said Owens. "I thought I would never get … [Read more...] about Owens reaches 100-win milestone, helps Jaguars to victory over Dowling
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jackie Wells, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Sophomore Jackie Wells is a member of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. He has already enjoyed a lot of success on the mat this season. "Jackie stepped into the lineup at 220 (pounds) during the Centennial Duals (on Dec. 8) and wrestled really well," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "He won his JV match against Ankeny (on Dec. 13) by fall, won the JV … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jackie Wells, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Jaguars stomp Urbandale, head into holiday break with 9-0 record
It didn't take long for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to earn their ninth dual-meet win of the season on Thursday. The Jaguars recorded six falls, five of them in the opening period, en route to a 64-17 victory at Urbandale. Another match ended early due to injury time, and the J-Hawks also forfeited at three of the upper weights. Centennial's Jackie … [Read more...] about Jaguars stomp Urbandale, head into holiday break with 9-0 record
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Nic Leo, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Senior Nic Leo captured an individual title at 182 pounds to help the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to a runner-up finish in the Don Miller Invitational on Saturday at Fort Dodge. The fifth-ranked Leo raised his record to 16-1 with an 8-1 decision over fourth-ranked Zach Needham of Dallas Center-Grimes. Leo also helped the ninth-ranked Jaguars to … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Nic Leo, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Centennial’s Monroe, Neils, Leo earn crowns at Miller Invite
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers crowned three individual champions in the Don Miller Invitational on Saturday at Fort Dodge, where the Jaguars earned a second-place finish in the 12-team tournament. Top-ranked Ben Monroe at 132 pounds, third-ranked Logan Neils at 170 and fifth-ranked Nic Leo at 182 each captured an individual title. Teammate Lane Pruisner … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Monroe, Neils, Leo earn crowns at Miller Invite
Hawks, Jaguars ready for showdown on the mat
Last Friday, Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial collided on the basketball court at Ankeny, where the Jaguars pulled away to win the girls' game before the Hawks used a fast start to win the boys' matchup. On Thursday, the crosstown rivalry will move to the wrestling mat. Ninth-ranked Centennial (7-0) will host Ankeny (2-1) in the CIML Central Conference opener … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars ready for showdown on the mat
Jaguars top Dowling, defend their title at Centennial Duals
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers turned in a dominating performance at the Centennial Duals on Saturday, winning all five of their matches by an average of 26 points. The ninth-ranked Jaguars posted a 46-21 victory over Dowling Catholic in the finals to capture the tournament title for the second straight year. They raised their record to 7-0 on the … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Dowling, defend their title at Centennial Duals
Jaguars roll past Ottumwa, will host Centennial Duals Saturday
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers spent more time on the bus Thursday than they did on the wrestling mat. The Jaguars traveled to Ottumwa for a dual meet against the Bulldogs, and they quickly rolled to a 60-18 victory, racking up nine falls along the way. Four of the pins came in the first period, including three that took less than a minute. "It wasn't … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Ottumwa, will host Centennial Duals Saturday
Jaguars crown 5 champions, defend their title at DC-Grimes tournament
Ben Monroe is making a habit of winning an individual title at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers are doing likewise in the team race. Monroe captured his third consecutive crown on Saturday at the Dallas Center-Grimes tournament, four of his teammates also captured titles, and the ninth-ranked Jaguars easily … [Read more...] about Jaguars crown 5 champions, defend their title at DC-Grimes tournament
Jaguars edge defending state champs on Pruisner’s takedown in final second
Lane Pruisner crouched on the wrestling mat and waited for the referees to make a call. "No doubt, I thought I had a takedown," Pruisner said. The Ankeny Centennial heavyweight was tied with Fort Dodge's Logan Finowski, 2-2, as the final seconds of their match ticked off the clock during Thursday's season-opening dual meet at Centennial. Pruisner then … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge defending state champs on Pruisner’s takedown in final second
Coach: Jaguars capable of bringing trophy home from state tournament
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling program has been making strides every year under coach Jay Groth, gradually increasing its win total from 10 in its inaugural season in 2013-14 to a school-record 22 victories last season. Now, the Jaguars may just have their best team yet. "We have very high expectations for this group," said Groth. "We have three … [Read more...] about Coach: Jaguars capable of bringing trophy home from state tournament
Ankeny wrestlers headed to Cadet and Junior National Championships
Four wrestlers from Ankeny will be competing in the 2018 Cadet and Junior National Championships in Fargo, N.D., beginning on Saturday. It is the premiere youth tournament in the United States. Trever Anderson, a freshman-to-be at Ankeny High School, has qualified in the Cadet Division along with Caleb Rathjen, an incoming sophomore at … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers headed to Cadet and Junior National Championships
Monroe has no answers for Biscoglia Buzzsaw, earns repeat runner-up finish
Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe ran into a proverbial buzzsaw on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena. You might even call it a Biscoglia Buzzsaw. Waukee's top-ranked Kyle Biscoglia turned in a dominating performance to win his third state wrestling title, posting a 9-2 decision over the sixth-ranked Monroe in the Class 3A championship match at 120 … [Read more...] about Monroe has no answers for Biscoglia Buzzsaw, earns repeat runner-up finish
Dominating wins send Rathjen, Monroe to Saturday’s finals
Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen and Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe share at least one trait in common. They both look comfortable on Iowa's biggest wrestling stage. The duo posted dominating wins on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena to advance to Saturday's championship matches in the Class 3A state tournament. "It feels great. It's an awesome … [Read more...] about Dominating wins send Rathjen, Monroe to Saturday’s finals
Ankeny’s Rathjen, Centennial’s Monroe earn berths in Class 3A semifinals
Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen and Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe are both headed to the Class 3A semifinals of the state wrestling tournament on Friday night. The second-ranked Rathjen pinned No. 7 Jakey Penrith of Cedar Falls in 3 minutes 11 seconds in a quarterfinal match at 113 pounds on Friday morning at Wells Fargo Arena. The freshman won for the 19th time … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen, Centennial’s Monroe earn berths in Class 3A semifinals
Jaguars advance duo to quarterfinals; 4 others alive in consolation bracket
Six of Ankeny Centennial's eight state qualifiers are still alive following Thursday's opening session in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Ben Monroe at 120 pounds and Logan Neils at 160, who are both ranked sixth at their respective weights, each won by a major decision in the first round. Four of their teammates then won … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance duo to quarterfinals; 4 others alive in consolation bracket
Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state
Ankeny Centennial's eight state wrestling qualifiers aren't content with just making it to Wells Fargo Arena. Neither are the two qualifiers from Ankeny High School. "We're happy that we qualified, but we're not satisfied," said Centennial coach Jay Groth, whose team advanced the most wrestlers in the five-year history of the school. "We want to get up … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state
Centennial advances 8 wrestlers to state, the most in school history
Jay Groth was hoping to advance all 14 of his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. He'll have to settle for just eight. The Jaguars advanced the most qualifiers in school history while placing second in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. They racked up 227 points to finish … [Read more...] about Centennial advances 8 wrestlers to state, the most in school history
Jaguars earn rematch against Johnston, but then fall in regional final
In just six days, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team closed the gap considerably on fifth-ranked Johnston. The No. 9 Jaguars just didn't close it far enough. The Dragons advanced to next week's state duals tournament with a 35-30 victory over visiting Centennial in a Class 3A regional final on Wednesday. The Jaguars, who dropped a 44-22 decision at … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn rematch against Johnston, but then fall in regional final