Ankeny Fanatic

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Jay Groth

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Logan Song, Ankeny Centennial wrestling

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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

Cahill, Helmkamp lead Centennial to runner-up finish at Allie Morrison Duals

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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

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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

‘It’s nice to finally beat them’: Ankeny ends losing skid against Jaguars

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The last time the Ankeny wrestling team defeated Ankeny Centennial in a dual meet was on Jan. 19, 2017--one day before Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States. "It's been awhile," said Ankeny junior Trever Anderson, who was a seventh grader at the time. "It's nice to finally beat them." Anderson had one of Ankeny's five … [Read more...] about ‘It’s nice to finally beat them’: Ankeny ends losing skid against Jaguars

PIN TO WIN: Centennial wrestlers rack up 8 falls in 57-24 victory over Ames

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny wrestling team

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(EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is dedicated to longtime Des Moines Register wrestling reporter Dan McCool, who died on Monday at the age of 60. Dan was a legend in the wrestling community and will be sorely missed. I was working for the Register as a correspondent in the 80s and one of the first big events that I was asked to cover was to help out Dan with state … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny wrestling team

‘We saw the real Ben Monroe’: Centennial star closes career with 3rd-place finish

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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

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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

Neils pins his way into 3A quarterfinals, while Monroe escapes with win

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A .500 record on the opening day of the Class 3A state tournament left Ankeny Centennial with two quarterfinalists and two more wrestlers alive in the consolation bracket. Top-ranked Logan Neils at 170 pounds and No. 4 Ben Monroe at 145 each won their first-round matches on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. Teammates Jackson Bresson at 120 and Jackson … [Read more...] about Neils pins his way into 3A quarterfinals, while Monroe escapes with win

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cael Hron, Ankeny Centennial wrestling

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Cael Hron is a member of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Hron helped the Jaguars to a 17-5 dual record this season. "Cael bounced around between 113 and 120 pounds for us," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "He won some matches on varsity and dominated on JV. He's a great kid." Hron, a sophomore, will likely be a contender for a varsity … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cael Hron, Ankeny Centennial wrestling

Jaguars advance 5 wrestlers to state, but suffer some ‘heartbreaking’ losses

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Although the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team qualified five wrestlers for next week's state tournament, the Jaguars came up just short of advancing a few more. A trio of Jaguars lost wrestle-back matches for second place in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Des Moines East, preventing them from earning a trip to Wells Fargo Arena. "It was … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance 5 wrestlers to state, but suffer some ‘heartbreaking’ losses

Valley matmen edge Centennial on criteria decision, advance to state duals

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers were hoping to contend for both the Class 3A traditional and dual tournament titles. Now, the Jaguars can focus exclusively on next week's individual state tournament. Fifth-ranked Centennial ended its dual season on Wednesday with a 29-28 loss to No. 11 Valley in a regional dual at Centennial. The Tigers won the meet on … [Read more...] about Valley matmen edge Centennial on criteria decision, advance to state duals

Jaguars close out regular season with victories over Indianola, Valley

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Thursday's triangular meet at Valley provided an opportunity for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to see a couple of their potential upcoming opponents. The Jaguars took advantage of the meet to earn a pair of victories. Centennial, the No. 6 team in the Class 3A dual rankings by The Predicament, opened the night with a 34-31 victory over No. 12 … [Read more...] about Jaguars close out regular season with victories over Indianola, Valley

Ankeny trio, Centennial’s Neils capture individual titles at CIML Invitational

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If Friday's CIML Invitational at Southeast Polk was any indication of what's going to happen later this month at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament, then both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial could make a lot of noise at Wells Fargo Arena. The eighth-ranked Jaguars placed second in Friday's 16-team tournament, while the No. 7 Hawks took fourth. It was … [Read more...] about Ankeny trio, Centennial’s Neils capture individual titles at CIML Invitational