The Ankeny Centennial softball team rebounded in a big way from its first shutout loss of the season. After dropping a 4-0 decision at second-ranked Waukee Northwest in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday, the No. 3 Jaguars bounced back with a 9-0 victory in six innings in the nightcap to earn a split. "It was a good night against one of the … [Read more...] about No. 2 Waukee NW blanks Centennial, then No. 3 Jaguars return favor in nightcap
‘We found a way to get it done’: Jaguars earn split vs. S.E. Polk with 10-run inning
Apparently, no lead is safe against the Ankeny Centennial softball team. The second-ranked Jaguars showed on Wednesday that they are fully capable of overcoming a huge deficit. Trailing 10-3 in the second game of a doubleheader against visiting Southeast Polk, Centennial erupted for 10 runs in the fifth inning and then held on for a 13-12 win, allowing … [Read more...] about ‘We found a way to get it done’: Jaguars earn split vs. S.E. Polk with 10-run inning
Hawks win opener of doubleheader against Urbandale in walk-off fashion
The Ankeny baseball team extended its winning streak to four games on Wednesday before visiting Urbandale posted a 7-5 victory in the second game to salvage a split of a doubleheader. The Hawks had won the opener, 3-2, in walk-off fashion. They are now 2-4 in the CIML Conference and 4-8 overall, while Urbandale's records are 1-4 and 6-5. "Game 1 was a … [Read more...] about Hawks win opener of doubleheader against Urbandale in walk-off fashion
‘I felt really comfortable on the mound’: Morris tosses gem as Jags salvage split
After dropping a second consecutive one-run game, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team needed an ace to take the mound for the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Southeast Polk. The ninth-ranked Jaguars had just the right guy in Will Morris. The junior righthander tossed a two-hitter and had 12 strikeouts to lead Centennial to a 2-1 … [Read more...] about ‘I felt really comfortable on the mound’: Morris tosses gem as Jags salvage split
‘We have to find ways to score’: Hawkettes tumble twice to Urbandale softball team
The seventh-ranked Ankeny softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader against visiting Urbandale on Wednesday. The J-Hawks rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the second game to complete the sweep with a 10-5 victory. They scored two runs runs in the fourth inning, then used a five-run fifth to take an 8-5 lead. "They're a decent team," Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘We have to find ways to score’: Hawkettes tumble twice to Urbandale softball team
Becker scores tying goal, then makes huge save as Jaguars top Johnston in PKs
Emmarie Becker found a new way to help the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team on a rainy Tuesday night. After scoring the tying goal in the 72nd minute, the junior midfielder eventually moved to the goalkeeper position during a shootout and came up with a crucial save as the third-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 6 Johnston, 3-2, in a Class 3A quarterfinal … [Read more...] about Becker scores tying goal, then makes huge save as Jaguars top Johnston in PKs
‘I feel so bad for the girls’: Hawkettes fall to Waukee in PKs in Brown’s final game
This wasn't the way that Simon Brown wanted to close out his Ankeny girls' soccer coaching tenure. As bad as he felt for himself though, Brown felt even worse for his players. The fifth-ranked Hawkettes lost to No. 4 Waukee, 2-1, in a shootout in a Class 3A quarterfinal on Tuesday at the rain-soaked Lied Recreation Fields in Ames. They finished their … [Read more...] about ‘I feel so bad for the girls’: Hawkettes fall to Waukee in PKs in Brown’s final game
‘They deserved it’: Hawks oust Roosevelt, will play No. 1 Valley in Class 4A semifinals
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For the first time since the 2018 season, the Ankeny boys' soccer team is heading to the state tournament semifinals. The eighth-ranked Hawks got a pair of goals from senior Landon Benge and another from junior Cal Wahlberg to post a 3-1 victory over No. 2 Des Moines Roosevelt in a Class 4A quarterfinal on Monday at Mediacom … [Read more...] about ‘They deserved it’: Hawks oust Roosevelt, will play No. 1 Valley in Class 4A semifinals
‘That’s what you live for’: Vos’ walk-off hit gives Ankeny boys 2-1 win over Jaguars
A clutch hit from senior Kinnick Vos finally ended a pitchers' duel at the Ankeny baseball field. Vos hit a walk-off single with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Hawks a 2-1 victory over crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial on Monday. "That was awesome," said Voss. "That's what you live for. That was a blast." Pinch-hitter Lennon … [Read more...] about ‘That’s what you live for’: Vos’ walk-off hit gives Ankeny boys 2-1 win over Jaguars
Centennial girls pound 5 home runs, romp to 12-0 rivalry victory over Hawkettes
After teammates Jordyn Kennedy and Mady Ott connected for back-to-back roundtrippers during the third inning of Monday's softball game at Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial junior Kori Lincicum felt some pressure to keep the home run party going. "I was like, 'Uh oh,'" Lincicum said. "They put a big window out there for me. But I just tried to make contact. I … [Read more...] about Centennial girls pound 5 home runs, romp to 12-0 rivalry victory over Hawkettes
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cal Wahlberg, Ankeny boys’ soccer
Junior midfielder Cal Wahlberg scored the golden goal in overtime to give the eighth-ranked Ankeny boys' soccer team a 3-2 victory over No. 10 Des Moines Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Thursday at Ankeny. It was his seventh goal of the season. Wahlberg has helped Ankeny to an 11-5-2 record and a second consecutive trip to the state tournament. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cal Wahlberg, Ankeny boys’ soccer
‘It was the perfect way to end our careers’: Ankeny star goes out in style with father
It was a storybook ending for Ankeny tennis standout Kira Smith. The top-seeded senior posted a 6-1, 6-2 victory over No. 2 Sescie Haan of Clinton to capture the Class 2A singles title at the girls' state tournament on Saturday in Iowa City. She missed her high school graduation to become the city of Ankeny's first-ever state tennis champion. "I can’t … [Read more...] about ‘It was the perfect way to end our careers’: Ankeny star goes out in style with father
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 307
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Legacy Realty of Iowa and Revive Dermatology Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm previews the boys' and girls' state soccer tournaments with senior forward Ava Martin of Ankeny Centennial, senior midfielder Alli Macke of Ankeny, and senior forward Landon Benge and senior defender Dylan … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 307
‘We’re incredibly proud of her’: Peterson earns 8th-place finish at state tourney
Ankeny Centennial junior Samara Peterson has been dealing with a back injury for most of the season. On Saturday, the pain finally became too much. Peterson was forced to withdraw from her final match in the Class 2A singles division of the girls' state tennis tournament at Iowa City. She finished in eighth place. "We’re incredibly proud of her for … [Read more...] about ‘We’re incredibly proud of her’: Peterson earns 8th-place finish at state tourney
Jaguars toss back-to-back no-hitters in doubleheader sweep over Lincoln girls
Kori Lincicum started two of the first three games in the pitcher's circle for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Friday's non-conference doubleheader against visiting Des Moines Lincoln showed that the second-ranked Jaguars have plenty of pitching depth behind Lincicum. Three other hurlers combined on a pair of no-hitters as Centennial swept the … [Read more...] about Jaguars toss back-to-back no-hitters in doubleheader sweep over Lincoln girls
Hawks use pair of 5-run innings to sweep doubleheader against Bondurant-Farrar
The Ankeny baseball team earned its first wins of the season on Friday by sweeping a non-conference doubleheader against visiting Bondurant-Farrar. One big inning proved to be the difference in both games. The Hawks used a five-run third to post a 7-2 victory in the opener, then had a five-run fourth in the nightcap en route to a 9-6 triumph. "The boys … [Read more...] about Hawks use pair of 5-run innings to sweep doubleheader against Bondurant-Farrar
ONE OF A KIND: Smith becomes city of Ankeny’s first-ever state tennis champion
The drought is over. Ankeny finally has a state tennis champion. Top-seeded Kira Smith posted a 6-1, 6-2 victory over No. 2 Sescie Haan of Clinton to capture the Class 2A singles title on Saturday afternoon at Iowa City. She rolled through the two-day tournament without losing a set. Ankeny Centennial's Samara Peterson, meanwhile, finished in eighth … [Read more...] about ONE OF A KIND: Smith becomes city of Ankeny’s first-ever state tennis champion
‘We just can’t take anything for granted’: Jaguars rout Roosevelt, advance to state
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There were two completely different vibes on the sideline after the first 40 minutes of play in Friday's Class 3A Region 3 girls' soccer championship game. The Ankeny Centennial players were dancing and clapping along with Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” blasting over the Ankeny Stadium speakers. The Des Moines Roosevelt … [Read more...] about ‘We just can’t take anything for granted’: Jaguars rout Roosevelt, advance to state
Smith tops Holland, will play Clinton’s Haan for Class 2A singles championship
Kira Smith is one win away from becoming the city of Ankeny's first-ever state tennis champion. The top-seeded Ankeny senior posted a 6-3, 6-3 victory over No. 4 Lily Holland of Cedar Rapids Jefferson in the semifinals of the Class 2A singles division at the girls' state tournament on Saturday morning at Iowa City. She will play for the title this … [Read more...] about Smith tops Holland, will play Clinton’s Haan for Class 2A singles championship
‘We just needed a little luck’: Hawkettes earn another trip to state on Macke’s goal
For much of Friday's game against visiting Cedar Falls, the ball didn't bounce right for the Ankeny girls' soccer team. The fifth-ranked Hawkettes struggled to find the net in a Class 3A regional final, and the chances of going to overtime grew more and more likely as the minutes ticked off the clock in the second half. "I was definitely worried," said … [Read more...] about ‘We just needed a little luck’: Hawkettes earn another trip to state on Macke’s goal