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
Jay Groth
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
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
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
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
Overcoming illnesses, Jaguars open season with wins over W. Marshall, Albia
Despite being less than full strength, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team opened its season on Tuesday with a pair of victories at State Center. The Jaguars posted a 49-30 win over host West Marshall and also defeated Albia, 48-27, in the non-conference double dual meet. "I was happy with how we wrestled," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "I thought … [Read more...] about Overcoming illnesses, Jaguars open season with wins over W. Marshall, Albia
Centennial wrestlers return trio of state qualifiers, several other veterans
When the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team opens its season this week, the Jaguars will have some new faces in their lineup. Centennial graduated five state qualifiers from last year's team, including four-time qualifier Jackson Helmkamp and fellow two-time placewinner Carter Cahill. The Jaguars tied for 16th place in Class 3A with 34 points. "The … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers return trio of state qualifiers, several other veterans
Centennial’s Helmkamp, Cahill close out careers as two-time state placewinners
Ankeny Centennial coach Jay Groth has been blessed with some talented wrestlers in his nine years at the school. He'll now have to say goodbye to two of the best that he has coached. Seniors Carter Cahill and Jackson Helmkamp closed out their high school careers on Saturday at the consolation finals of the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Helmkamp, Cahill close out careers as two-time state placewinners
Anderson earns shot at 3rd title; Hawks, Jaguars combine for 7 placewinners
Trever Anderson is one win away from becoming the first three-time state wrestling champion in Ankeny High School history. The second-ranked Anderson defeated No. 3 Cale Seaton of Iowa City High, 3-1, in overtime in the 120-pound semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena. He got the winning takedown about 30 seconds … [Read more...] about Anderson earns shot at 3rd title; Hawks, Jaguars combine for 7 placewinners
Anderson moves closer to 3rd title; Bruhl, Helmkamp also advance to semifinals
Two-time state champion Trever Anderson of Ankeny has advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3A state wrestling tournament along with the Ankeny Centennial duo of Lucas Bruhl and Jackson Helmkamp. The second-ranked Anderson posted a 15-4 major decision over No. 12 Braxten Westendorf of Waverly-Shell Rock in the quarterfinals at 120 pounds on Friday … [Read more...] about Anderson moves closer to 3rd title; Bruhl, Helmkamp also advance to semifinals
Five Hawk matmen, Centennial trio advance to Friday’s quarterfinals
Eighth-ranked Ankeny advanced five wrestlers into Friday's quarterfinals in the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial advanced three of its wrestlers into the quarterfinals. The Jaguars also have senior Cael Wiener alive in the consolation bracket. Both Ankeny and Centennial entered the tournament with seven … [Read more...] about Five Hawk matmen, Centennial trio advance to Friday’s quarterfinals
Hawks capture district crown; Runner-up Jags match Ankeny with 7 state qualifiers
Saturday's Class 3A district wrestling tournament at Fort Dodge featured nine matches between Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial grapplers. The team title also came down to a battle between the crosstown rivals. In the end, eighth-ranked Ankeny captured the overall crown with 220 points, even though Centennial went 5-4 in its head-to-head matches against the … [Read more...] about Hawks capture district crown; Runner-up Jags match Ankeny with 7 state qualifiers
Centennial wrestlers top Norwalk at regional dual, then fall to No. 3 Wolves
A week ago, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team closed out the regular season with a 39-35 loss to Waukee Northwest. The two squads met again on Wednesday with a lot more at stake. In the final of a regional dual at Northwest, the third-ranked Wolves posted a 45-21 victory over No. 13 Centennial to qualify for the state duals tournament. "We didn't … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers top Norwalk at regional dual, then fall to No. 3 Wolves
Centennial wrestlers fall to Waukee NW, but could get rematch in regional duals
Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth spent 19 years coaching at Des Moines Roosevelt before he left to begin the Jaguars' program in 2013. On Thursday, Groth returned to Roosevelt for the first time as Centennial's coach. The Jaguars opened a double dual meet with a 74-6 victory over Roosevelt, recording seven pins along the way. "I might … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers fall to Waukee NW, but could get rematch in regional duals
Hawks place 3rd, Jaguars finish 4th in final year of CIML’s 18-team tournament
As the wrestling season heads into the home stretch, both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial are sitting in good positions. The two teams earned top-four finishes in the CIML Invitational on Friday at Johnston. This was the final year of the 18-team tournament before the CIML splits into two conferences next year. Eighth-ranked Ankeny placed third with 174 … [Read more...] about Hawks place 3rd, Jaguars finish 4th in final year of CIML’s 18-team tournament
Centennial, Ankeny girls achieve success on wrestling mat, look ahead to future
It was a good weekend for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial female wrestlers. The future for the sport of girls' wrestling looks even brighter. While both Ankeny schools had some competitors in the girls' state tournament, the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced prior to the start of the championship round that it will begin sanctioning … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny girls achieve success on wrestling mat, look ahead to future
‘I think we wrestled not to lose’: Jaguars tie for 10th place at Winger Invitational
Saturday's Ed Winger Invitational at Urbandale featured some of the state's top wrestling teams. Ankeny Centennial may have given those squads too much respect. The Jaguars tied for 10th place in the 23-team field. They finished with 66.5 points along with Underwood, the No. 2 team in Class 1A. Top-ranked Southeast Polk won the tournament with 246.5 … [Read more...] about ‘I think we wrestled not to lose’: Jaguars tie for 10th place at Winger Invitational
Late rally allows Centennial wrestlers to edge No. 5 Fort Dodge, 36-32
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers rallied for a 36-32 victory over visiting Fort Dodge in a CIML Iowa Conference dual meet on Thursday. The fifth-ranked Dodgers held a 32-15 lead with four matches left, but Centennial then answered with four straight wins--including three falls--to pull out the win. The Jaguars improved to 4-1 in the league and 12-9 … [Read more...] about Late rally allows Centennial wrestlers to edge No. 5 Fort Dodge, 36-32
Groth earns 400th career victory as Jaguars top Clear Lake at Osage Duals
Chalk up another accomplishment for Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth. Groth earned his 400th career victory during the Osage Duals on Saturday. He reached the milestone with a 56-16 victory over Clear Lake, which came against former Jaguars' assistant coach Evan Johnson. "That was nice, and it was nice of Osage to say something about it," … [Read more...] about Groth earns 400th career victory as Jaguars top Clear Lake at Osage Duals