Ankeny Fanatic

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Jay Groth

Jaguars dominate Dallas Center-Grimes tournament for 3rd straight year

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers crowned five individual champions and rolled to the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational title on Saturday for the third straight year. The fifth-ranked Jaguars racked up 256 points, 58 more than runner-up Dallas Center-Grimes. Creston/Orient Macksburg took third in the 14-team field with 158 points. "We had a couple of … [Read more...] about Jaguars dominate Dallas Center-Grimes tournament for 3rd straight year

‘It was a good barometer for us’: Jaguars lose opener at No. 3 Fort Dodge

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A strong start helped the third-ranked Fort Dodge wrestling team to a 43-28 victory over No. 5 Ankeny Centennial on Thursday at the Dodgers' gym. The season-opening dual meet began at 120 pounds, where defending state champion and top-ranked Drake Ayala recorded a technical fall over No. 5 Jackson Bresson. The Dodgers went on to win the first five … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good barometer for us’: Jaguars lose opener at No. 3 Fort Dodge

No. 5 Centennial wrestlers enter season with some huge expectations

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The bar has been set high for the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Now, the next step for the Jaguars is to win state championships--either as an individual, or as a team at the state duals or the traditional state tournament. Last year's Centennial squad won just about everything but a state title. The Jaguars posted a 21-1 dual-meet record and won … [Read more...] about No. 5 Centennial wrestlers enter season with some huge expectations

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

‘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 send 4 wrestlers into semifinals, while Ankeny advances top-ranked duo

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Ankeny Centennial has advanced four wrestlers and Ankeny has qualified two for the Class 3A semifinals of the state tournament on Friday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena. The fifth-ranked Jaguars won four of their five quarterfinal matches on Friday morning. The No. 7 Hawks won two of their three quarterfinal bouts. Centennial got wins from top-ranked … [Read more...] about Jaguars send 4 wrestlers into semifinals, while Ankeny advances top-ranked duo

Jaguars advance 5 wrestlers, Hawks send 3 to Class 3A quarterfinals

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Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial are off to good starts in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Fifth-ranked Centennial still has six wrestlers alive following Thursday's opening round, including five quarterfinalists. The Jaguars are in ninth place with 17 points in the team standings. "I'm happy for the six that are still … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance 5 wrestlers, Hawks send 3 to Class 3A quarterfinals

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, Hawks looking to reach new heights at traditional tournament

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When the traditional state wrestling tournament gets under way on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena, both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will be looking to reach new heights in the Class 3A competition. Fifth-ranked Centennial boasts a record nine state qualifiers and should be able to improve on last year's 12th-place finish, the best in school history. If you … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks looking to reach new heights at traditional 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, Hawks crown 2 individual champs at CIML Invitational

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Friday's CIML Invitational at Southeast Polk was like a mini-state wrestling tournament. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial enjoyed a lot of success, crowning a pair of individual champions. The Jaguars and Hawks also earned top-five finishes in the 17-team field. "It was probably as much fun coaching as I've had in the six years that I've been (the … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks crown 2 individual champs at CIML Invitational

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 crown 4 champs, top Ankeny for 5th straight Bob Sharp title

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Ben Monroe and the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers once again walked out of the Ankeny High School gym with the Bob Sharp Invitational championship trophy. For Monroe and his teammates, however, there are bigger goals on the horizon. "We wanted to win the tournament, but the real goal is to win a state dual team and traditional state title," said Monroe, … [Read more...] about Jaguars crown 4 champs, top Ankeny for 5th straight Bob Sharp title

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