Ankeny Fanatic

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Jay Groth

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

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

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

Jaguars earn bragging rights with 48-25 victory over Ankeny

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A few months ago, Logan Neils helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 20-0 victory over Ankeny. On Thursday, Neils sparked the Jaguars to another win over their crosstown rival--this time on the wrestling mat. He recorded a technical fall in the opening match at 160 pounds and ninth-ranked Centennial went on to post a 48-25 triumph over the … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn bragging rights with 48-25 victory over Ankeny

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