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Wrestling

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

Hawks, Jaguars ready for showdown on the mat

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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