The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers turned in a dominating performance at the Centennial Duals on Saturday, winning all five of their matches by an average of 26 points. The ninth-ranked Jaguars posted a 46-21 victory over Dowling Catholic in the finals to capture the tournament title for the second straight year. They raised their record to 7-0 on the … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Dowling, defend their title at Centennial Duals
Jay Groth
Jaguars roll past Ottumwa, will host Centennial Duals Saturday
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers spent more time on the bus Thursday than they did on the wrestling mat. The Jaguars traveled to Ottumwa for a dual meet against the Bulldogs, and they quickly rolled to a 60-18 victory, racking up nine falls along the way. Four of the pins came in the first period, including three that took less than a minute. "It wasn't … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Ottumwa, will host Centennial Duals Saturday
Jaguars crown 5 champions, defend their title at DC-Grimes tournament
Ben Monroe is making a habit of winning an individual title at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers are doing likewise in the team race. Monroe captured his third consecutive crown on Saturday at the Dallas Center-Grimes tournament, four of his teammates also captured titles, and the ninth-ranked Jaguars easily … [Read more...] about Jaguars crown 5 champions, defend their title at DC-Grimes tournament
Jaguars edge defending state champs on Pruisner’s takedown in final second
Lane Pruisner crouched on the wrestling mat and waited for the referees to make a call. "No doubt, I thought I had a takedown," Pruisner said. The Ankeny Centennial heavyweight was tied with Fort Dodge's Logan Finowski, 2-2, as the final seconds of their match ticked off the clock during Thursday's season-opening dual meet at Centennial. Pruisner then … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge defending state champs on Pruisner’s takedown in final second
Coach: Jaguars capable of bringing trophy home from state tournament
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling program has been making strides every year under coach Jay Groth, gradually increasing its win total from 10 in its inaugural season in 2013-14 to a school-record 22 victories last season. Now, the Jaguars may just have their best team yet. "We have very high expectations for this group," said Groth. "We have three … [Read more...] about Coach: Jaguars capable of bringing trophy home from state tournament
Monroe has no answers for Biscoglia Buzzsaw, earns repeat runner-up finish
Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe ran into a proverbial buzzsaw on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena. You might even call it a Biscoglia Buzzsaw. Waukee's top-ranked Kyle Biscoglia turned in a dominating performance to win his third state wrestling title, posting a 9-2 decision over the sixth-ranked Monroe in the Class 3A championship match at 120 … [Read more...] about Monroe has no answers for Biscoglia Buzzsaw, earns repeat runner-up finish
Neils earns 4th-place finish for Jaguars; Anderson takes 7th for Hawks
Ankeny senior Spencer Anderson closed out his wrestling career in style. Ankeny Centennial sophomore Logan Neils showed that his career is just beginning to blossom. Neils earned a fourth-place finish at 160 pounds in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. Anderson finished seventh at 132 with a 9-7 decision over 10th-ranked … [Read more...] about Neils earns 4th-place finish for Jaguars; Anderson takes 7th for Hawks
Ankeny’s Rathjen, Centennial’s Monroe earn berths in Class 3A semifinals
Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen and Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe are both headed to the Class 3A semifinals of the state wrestling tournament on Friday night. The second-ranked Rathjen pinned No. 7 Jakey Penrith of Cedar Falls in 3 minutes 11 seconds in a quarterfinal match at 113 pounds on Friday morning at Wells Fargo Arena. The freshman won for the 19th time … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen, Centennial’s Monroe earn berths in Class 3A semifinals
Jaguars advance duo to quarterfinals; 4 others alive in consolation bracket
Six of Ankeny Centennial's eight state qualifiers are still alive following Thursday's opening session in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Ben Monroe at 120 pounds and Logan Neils at 160, who are both ranked sixth at their respective weights, each won by a major decision in the first round. Four of their teammates then won … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance duo to quarterfinals; 4 others alive in consolation bracket
Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state
Ankeny Centennial's eight state wrestling qualifiers aren't content with just making it to Wells Fargo Arena. Neither are the two qualifiers from Ankeny High School. "We're happy that we qualified, but we're not satisfied," said Centennial coach Jay Groth, whose team advanced the most wrestlers in the five-year history of the school. "We want to get up … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state
Centennial advances 8 wrestlers to state, the most in school history
Jay Groth was hoping to advance all 14 of his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. He'll have to settle for just eight. The Jaguars advanced the most qualifiers in school history while placing second in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. They racked up 227 points to finish … [Read more...] about Centennial advances 8 wrestlers to state, the most in school history
Jaguars earn rematch against Johnston, but then fall in regional final
In just six days, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team closed the gap considerably on fifth-ranked Johnston. The No. 9 Jaguars just didn't close it far enough. The Dragons advanced to next week's state duals tournament with a 35-30 victory over visiting Centennial in a Class 3A regional final on Wednesday. The Jaguars, who dropped a 44-22 decision at … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn rematch against Johnston, but then fall in regional final
Johnston wrestlers top Centennial, but Jaguars could get rematch at regional dual
Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth wasn't too excited about Thursday's double dual meet at Johnston. The Jaguars ended the night with a matchup against fifth-ranked Johnston, even though the two teams will likely meet again in a Class 3A regional dual on Wednesday. "It wasn't ideal," Groth said. "Obviously, we were hoping to be one of the … [Read more...] about Johnston wrestlers top Centennial, but Jaguars could get rematch at regional dual
Neils captures CIML wrestling title, leads Jaguars to fifth-place finish
Logan Neils made some history on Friday in the CIML Invitational at Southeast Polk. The 160-pound sophomore became the first Ankeny Centennial wrestler in the school's brief history to capture an individual conference title. After pinning his first three opponents, the fifth-ranked Neils posted a 3-0 decision over seventh-ranked Levi Egli of Fort Dodge in … [Read more...] about Neils captures CIML wrestling title, leads Jaguars to fifth-place finish
Hawks, Jaguars face difficult paths to state duals tournament
The road to the Class 3A state duals tournament will be a difficult one for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial wrestling teams. The pairings for the regional duals were announced on Wednesday by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Both the Hawks and Jaguars will have to win two matches, one of them against a top-five opponent, to reach the state … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars face difficult paths to state duals tournament
Valley wrestlers record 8 pins, roll to 51-22 victory over Jaguars
Coming off an emotional week, the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers didn't have much energy left for Tuesday's dual meet at fourth-ranked Valley. The Jaguars won only five of the 14 matches and suffered a 51-22 loss in a CIML Central Conference matchup. Eight of the Tigers' nine victories came by fall. "We were pretty flat," said Centennial coach Jay Groth, … [Read more...] about Valley wrestlers record 8 pins, roll to 51-22 victory over Jaguars
Centennial edges Hawks in heated rematch at Dave Ewing Duals
The emotions ran high during the Dave Ewing Duals on Saturday at Ankeny High School. The host Hawks collided with crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial for the second time in three days--this time in the fourth round of the eight-team tournament. The rematch of the Jaguars' 43-25 victory on Thursday nearly ended with a brawl. Ankeny's Spencer Anderson … [Read more...] about Centennial edges Hawks in heated rematch at Dave Ewing Duals
Jaguars spoil Ankeny’s Senior Night with 43-25 victory over Hawks
On a night when Ankeny's wrestling seniors were recognized, crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial stole the spotlight. The visiting Jaguars racked up six falls and rolled to a 43-25 victory in a CIML Central Conference dual meet on Thursday. The win avenged last year's 28-26 loss to the Hawks. "That loss was a very big motivating factor because we beat … [Read more...] about Jaguars spoil Ankeny’s Senior Night with 43-25 victory over Hawks
‘Rivalry Week’ continues: A closer look at Thursday’s Ankeny vs. Centennial dual
Saturday's Bob Sharp Invitational wrestling tournament was just the beginning of what Colin Honderd calls "Rivalry Week". The fifth-ranked Honderd won an individual title at 182 pounds to help Ankeny Centennial to the team crown for the fourth straight year. The Jaguars finished with 217.5 points, while host Ankeny placed third in the 10-team field with … [Read more...] about ‘Rivalry Week’ continues: A closer look at Thursday’s Ankeny vs. Centennial dual
Jaguars capture 4th straight Bob Sharp title; Ankeny’s Anderson upsets Centennial’s Monroe
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers are beginning to feel right at home in their crosstown rival's gym. The Jaguars visited Ankeny on Saturday for the Bob Sharp Invitational and came away with the team title for the fourth straight year. They racked up 217.5 points in the 10-team tournament. "It's awesome. I'm pretty happy," said Centennial coach Jay … [Read more...] about Jaguars capture 4th straight Bob Sharp title; Ankeny’s Anderson upsets Centennial’s Monroe