Ankeny Fanatic

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Wrestling

Centennial’s Monroe chooses Iowa State over Wisconsin, Northern Illinois

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There was no reason for Ankeny Centennial wrestler Ben Monroe to put off his college decision any longer. He already knew where he wanted to go. Monroe has verbally committed to Iowa State. The junior will join the Cyclones in the 2020-21 season. "I just decided I would commit now because I knew (Iowa State) would be the place for me, so there was … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Monroe chooses Iowa State over Wisconsin, Northern Illinois

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eric Owens, Centennial wrestling

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Senior Eric Owens helped the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team to a fourth-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament last week at Wells Fargo Arena. He earned a second-place finish at 145 pounds. Owens also helped the Jaguars to a third-place finish in the state duals tournament. He finished the season with a 37-5 record. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eric Owens, Centennial wrestling

Jaguars earn 3 silver medals, finish 4th overall in Class 3A

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For three days, the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers put themselves in position to capture a team trophy at the Class 3A state tournament in Des Moines. Centennial coach Jay Groth was also confident that the Jaguars would win multiple individual championships, especially after his team advanced three wrestlers into Saturday night's finals at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn 3 silver medals, finish 4th overall in Class 3A

Leo places 3rd for Jaguars; Blubaugh takes 7th and Bresson finishes 8th

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers are still in contention for a team trophy following Saturday's consolation rounds in the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The Jaguars got a third-place finish from Nic Leo at 182 pounds, while Noah Blubaugh took seventh at 126. Jackson Bresson added an eighth-place finish at 113. "I'm very proud of how our … [Read more...] about Leo places 3rd for Jaguars; Blubaugh takes 7th and Bresson finishes 8th

‘Great round’ sends Centennial trio into Saturday’s championship matches

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Ben Monroe has waited 365 days for another opportunity to win a state wrestling title. Two of his Ankeny Centennial teammates, Eric Owens and Logan Neils, had their own championship aspirations. Now, the trio will get their chance on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena. All three of them won semifinal matches on Friday afternoon to advance to the Class … [Read more...] about ‘Great round’ sends Centennial trio into Saturday’s championship matches

Jaguars edge Fort Dodge for 3rd place at state duals tournament

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After suffering its first dual-meet loss of the season, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team didn't have to wait long to get back onto the mat. The Jaguars rebounded from a semifinal loss to Waverly-Shell Rock with a 34-33 victory over defending champion Fort Dodge in the Class 3A third-place match at the state duals tournament on Wednesday night at Wells … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge Fort Dodge for 3rd place at state duals tournament

Jaguars will face Bettendorf in Class 3A quarterfinals of state duals tournament

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It's already been an historic winter for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers. On Wednesday, the Jaguars will try to add another chapter to their storybook season. Third-seeded Centennial will make its first appearance in the state duals tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The Jaguars (19-0) will face sixth-seeded Bettendorf in the Class 3A quarterfinals at 9 … [Read more...] about Jaguars will face Bettendorf in Class 3A quarterfinals of state duals tournament

Jaguars capture district title, advance 9 wrestlers to state tournament

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Coach Jay Groth doesn't want his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to get caught looking ahead. He prefers to have the Jaguars focus on their immediate task. "The emphasis is just to score the next point and everything else will take care of itself," Groth said. On Saturday, that strategy resulted in a Class 3A district title for Groth's team, marking a … [Read more...] about Jaguars capture district title, advance 9 wrestlers to state tournament

Jaguars pummel Johnston, punch their ticket to state duals tournament

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers aren't satisfied with just qualifying for the state duals tournament. The Jaguars are looking to capture the Class 3A crown. Third-ranked Centennial advanced to the tournament for the first time in school history with a 54-19 victory over No. 14 Johnston in a regional final on Wednesday at Centennial. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about Jaguars pummel Johnston, punch their ticket to state duals tournament

Centennial wrestlers top Valley on historic night for Groth, Blubaugh

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Jay Groth has been a high school wrestling coach in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League for the last quarter of a century. He accomplished something on Thursday that he had never done before. Groth guided third-ranked Ankeny Centennial to a 40-24 victory over No. 7 Valley in the regular-season finale for both teams at Centennial. It was Groth's first … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers top Valley on historic night for Groth, Blubaugh

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Scott Talmadge, Ankeny Centennial wrestling

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Sophomore Scott Talmadge is a member of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Talmadge has helped the Jaguars to a 17-0 record and a No. 3 ranking in Class 3A according to the Iowa Wrestling Coaches Association dual rankings. "Scott has done a great job filling in at 126 pounds and has wrestled tough and worked hard to overcome an early season … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Scott Talmadge, Ankeny Centennial wrestling

Jaguars topple Johnston, capture CIML Central Conference championship

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The CIML Central Conference wrestling title was at stake on Thursday at Ankeny Centennial. The Jaguars, who are fourth in the Class 3A dual rankings, captured the league crown with a 44-24 victory over No. 13 Johnston. "It was nice to win it," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We mentioned it a few times in practice this week, but our guys definitely … [Read more...] about Jaguars topple Johnston, capture CIML Central Conference championship

Jaguars rout Ames, will wrestle Johnston Thursday for Central Conference title

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Even though the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers haven't talked about it, the Jaguars are now in position to capture the outright CIML Central Conference championship. Fourth-ranked Centennial celebrated its Senior Night on Thursday with a 75-6 thumping of visiting Ames. The unbeaten Jaguars improved their records to 4-0 in the league and 16-0 … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Ames, will wrestle Johnston Thursday for Central Conference title

Monroe reaches 100-win milestone as Jaguars capture Linn-Mar Duals title

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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

Owens reaches 100-win milestone, helps Jaguars to victory over Dowling

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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