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Jay Groth

‘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

TOUGH AS NEILS: Unbeaten Centennial senior wins crown at Ed Winger Invite

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One of the reasons Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth wanted his team to compete in the Ed Winger Invitational was to prepare the Jaguars for the stretch run of the season. It remains to be seen how things will turn out. On Saturday, Centennial placed sixth in the 19-team field at the Urbandale tournament. The eighth-ranked Jaguars racked up … [Read more...] about TOUGH AS NEILS: Unbeaten Centennial senior wins crown at Ed Winger Invite

Centennial wrestlers pummel Ames, Roosevelt for pair of lopsided victories

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers competed in a double dual meet against Ames and Des Moines Roosevelt on Thursday at Ames. The Jaguars, who are sixth in the Class 3A dual rankings by The Predicament, overwhelmed both of their opponents. Centennial began the night with a 62-12 victory over the Little Cyclones in a CIML Central Conference dual. The … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers pummel Ames, Roosevelt for pair of lopsided victories

Jaguars top Dowling on Senior Night, remain unbeaten in Central Conference

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers celebrated their Senior Night on Thursday with a 47-26 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic. The Jaguars, who are sixth in The Predicament's Class 3A dual rankings, improved to 3-0 in the CIML Central Conference. They are now 13-3 overall. "It was a big Senior Night," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We had 17 … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Dowling on Senior Night, remain unbeaten in Central Conference

Jaguars record 8 falls, romp to 66-9 victory over young Urbandale squad

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Some of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team's weaknesses were exposed during The Clash XVIII on Friday and Saturday at Rochester, Minn. Over the last few days, the eighth-ranked Jaguars worked hard to improve in some of those areas. On Tuesday, Centennial racked up eight falls and rolled to a 66-9 victory over visiting Urbandale in a CIML Central … [Read more...] about Jaguars record 8 falls, romp to 66-9 victory over young Urbandale squad

Centennial wrestlers finish strong, capture Division VII title at The Clash XVIII

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Ankeny Centennial's first trip to one of the Midwest's premier wrestling tournaments featured a slow start and a strong finish. After going 1-2 on Friday in The Clash XVIII at Rochester, Minn., the Jaguars won all three of their dual meets on Saturday to capture the Division VII title. They are now 11-3 on the season. "It was fun to wrestle some … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers finish strong, capture Division VII title at The Clash XVIII

Monroe, Neils, Cahill capture individual gold at Miller Invitational

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The Ankeny Centennial duo of Ben Monroe and Logan Neils continues to dominate on the wrestling mat. Both seniors remained unbeaten on Saturday by winning their second straight titles in the Don Miller Invitational at Fort Dodge. Teammate Carter Cahill also captured an individual crown as the eighth-ranked Jaguars placed second in the 11-team field with … [Read more...] about Monroe, Neils, Cahill capture individual gold at Miller Invitational

Centennial wins final 3 matches to top Ankeny in Jag-Hawk showdown

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After switching places in the latest Class 3A rankings by The Predicament, eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 5 Ankeny may have to revert back to their preseason spots. The visiting Jaguars won the final three matches to defeat Ankeny, 38-29, in the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams on Thursday. It was Centennial's seventh win in eight … [Read more...] about Centennial wins final 3 matches to top Ankeny in Jag-Hawk showdown

Jag-Hawk dual could be determined by outcome of several swing matches

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Thursday's wrestling showdown between fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 8 Ankeny will likely be decided by the outcome of several toss-up matches. The crosstown rivals will meet for their annual clash at 7:30 p.m. at Ankeny High School. Centennial brings a 6-1 record into the CIML Central Conference opener, while Ankeny has a 2-1 mark. "Both teams … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk dual could be determined by outcome of several swing matches

Jaguars win Centennial Duals, earn 100th victory in program history

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team didn't just win the Centennial Duals on Saturday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars dominated their own tournament. Centennial defeated its five opponents by an average margin of 66-13. The Jaguars rolled past Dowling Catholic in the final, 58-18, to capture their third straight crown. "We had a good day. We wrestled … [Read more...] about Jaguars win Centennial Duals, earn 100th victory in program history

Jaguars rout Ottumwa, close in on 100th victory in school history

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team didn't waste any time in putting away visiting Ottumwa on Tuesday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars recorded nine pins, seven of them in the first period, and rolled to a 76-6 victory. They evened their dual-meet record at 1-1. "We wrestled well," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We got after it and had a good … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Ottumwa, close in on 100th victory in school history