Ankeny Centennial's perch atop the CIML Conference baseball standings only lasted about 14 hours. After moving into sole possession of first place with a doubleheader sweep over visiting Ankeny on Wednesday night, the ninth-ranked Jaguars were back on their home field Thursday morning for a showdown against No. 6 Waukee Northwest, which gave coach Jeremy … [Read more...] about ‘You don’t like losses, but we’ll regroup’: Jags fall to Waukee NW, drop out of first
‘That’s a good squad’: Red-hot Wolves roll past Centennial for 18th straight victory
The Ankeny Centennial softball team entered Thursday's showdown against visiting Waukee Northwest as one of the hottest squads in the state. Unfortunately, the Jaguars' opponent came into the morning contest even hotter. Top-ranked Northwest extended its winning streak to 18 games with a convincing 8-0 victory over No. 4 Centennial, which lost for the … [Read more...] about ‘That’s a good squad’: Red-hot Wolves roll past Centennial for 18th straight victory
‘We just find ways to win’: Dramatic rally in 7th allows Centennial to sweep Hawks
Isaac Bruhl hesitated only briefly as he rounded third base. The Ankeny Centennial senior raced home from second on a fielder's choice to cap a dramatic four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving the ninth-ranked Jaguars a 5-4 win over visiting Ankeny and a sweep of a CIML Conference baseball doubleheader on Wednesday. "That was … [Read more...] about ‘We just find ways to win’: Dramatic rally in 7th allows Centennial to sweep Hawks
‘Kori has grown up so much’: Lincicum hits, pitches Jags to sweep over Ankeny
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Kori Lincicum left her fingerprints all over a pair of Jaguar victories against their crosstown rival. The Ankeny Centennial junior walked off a 5-3 win with a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning before tossing a four-hitter in an 8-0 shutout as the fourth-ranked Jaguars swept a doubleheader over visiting Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘Kori has grown up so much’: Lincicum hits, pitches Jags to sweep over Ankeny
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Reed Anderson, Ankeny Centennial senior
The outfielder/pitcher helps the Jaguars to a sweep over crosstown rival Ankeny and into sole possession of first place in the CIML Conference. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Reed Anderson, Ankeny Centennial senior
Road to state could go through Iowa City for Centennial, Ankeny baseball teams
The road to the state tournament could potentially go through Iowa City for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial baseball teams. Ninth-ranked Centennial (14-7) has been placed in Class 4A Substate 7 by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The second-seeded Jaguars will host Marshalltown (6-15) in a quarterfinal game on Friday, July 11 at 7 … [Read more...] about Road to state could go through Iowa City for Centennial, Ankeny baseball teams
Jaguars sweep Waukee, move within a half-game of first place in CIML standings
The Ankeny Centennial softball team moved within a half-game of first place in the CIML Conference by sweeping a doubleheader against visiting Waukee on Tuesday. The fourth-ranked Jaguars posted a 3-0 victory in the first game, which resumed on Tuesday after being suspended due to rain last Wednesday. They then routed the No. 13 Warriors, 10-0, in four … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep Waukee, move within a half-game of first place in CIML standings
AHS pitchers shine, but Hawkettes drop pair of close games at No. 3 Johnston
The Ankeny softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader on Tuesday at Johnston in familiar fashion. The third-ranked Dragons scored a run in the sixth inning to post a 3-2 victory in the first game, which was completed after being suspended due to rain on Wednesday. They then got a run in both the sixth and seventh innings to rally for a 2-1 win in … [Read more...] about AHS pitchers shine, but Hawkettes drop pair of close games at No. 3 Johnston
‘Visiting’ Hawks top Urbandale in make-up game on their home field, face Jags next
The Ankeny baseball players felt right at home as the visiting squad on Tuesday. Playing on their home field, the Hawks scored in each of the first five innings and went on to defeat Urbandale, 7-2, in a CIML Conference game. The contest was supposed to be played at Urbandale on Monday, but was postponed due to rain. The J-Hawks then agreed to play at … [Read more...] about ‘Visiting’ Hawks top Urbandale in make-up game on their home field, face Jags next
Arndt, Miller combine on 1-hitter as Jaguars complete 7-2 win over Urbandale
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team completed a 7-2 victory over visiting Urbandale on Tuesday afternoon. The CIML Conference game had been suspended due to rain on June 16. The ninth-ranked Jaguars improved to 9-5 in the league and 14-7 overall, while Urbandale's records dropped to 3-13 and 8-15. Centennial pitchers Colton Arndt and Brekken Miller … [Read more...] about Arndt, Miller combine on 1-hitter as Jaguars complete 7-2 win over Urbandale
Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Sarah Saladino, Ankeny softball
The first-year coach guides the Hawkettes to a 3-1 victory at Urbandale for a much-needed win to begin a busy week. … [Read more...] about Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Sarah Saladino, Ankeny softball
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 309
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 breaks down the first half of the baseball season with coach Joe Balvanz and senior shortstop Kinnick Vos of Ankeny. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 309
‘We told ourselves to just keep working’: Lensmeyer hurls gem in win at Urbandale
Ankeny pitcher Aubrey Lensmeyer didn't have her best changeup on Monday. Fortunately, the senior righthander didn't need it. Relying on her other pitches, Lensmeyer tossed a two-hitter and had six strikeouts to lead the Hawkettes to a 3-1 victory at Urbandale in a CIML Conference softball game. "My curve and rise were really on today," said … [Read more...] about ‘We told ourselves to just keep working’: Lensmeyer hurls gem in win at Urbandale
‘I know I’ll get great support there’: Ex-Red Raider Johnson to play for Minnesota
Former Ankeny softball star Cassie Johnson has found a new home--and it's a lot closer to her hometown. After sitting out her freshman season at Texas Tech as a redshirt, Johnson elected to enter the transfer portal. She has now committed to play for Minnesota. "I looked at quite a few schools, but Minnesota definitely stood out to me!" said Johnson, a … [Read more...] about ‘I know I’ll get great support there’: Ex-Red Raider Johnson to play for Minnesota
Jaguars beat Ankeny at Fort Dodge Invite, then top Dodgers to earn 5th-place finish
The second meeting between Ankeny's crosstown rivals on the softball field came a few days earlier than expected. Fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny both competed in the 16-team Fort Dodge Invitational this weekend. The two squads collided in a consolation semifinal on Saturday after they both split a pair of contests on Friday, and the Jaguars … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat Ankeny at Fort Dodge Invite, then top Dodgers to earn 5th-place finish
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Katelyn Weathers, Ankeny Christian softball
Sophomore catcher/outfielder Katelyn Weathers has helped the Ankeny Christian Academy softball team to a 12-2 record, including an 8-1 mark in the West Division of the Bluegrass Conference. The Eagles are ranked fourth in Class 1A in their second season as a varsity program. Weathers is batting .697 with 23 hits in 33 at-bats, which is the second-highest … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Katelyn Weathers, Ankeny Christian softball
Ankeny girls earn all-American honors in SMR at Nike Track & Field National meet
The Ankeny quartet of Charlee Cibula, Lillian Buckley, Morgan Fisher and Makenna Madetzke earned all-American honors this week at the Nike Track & Field National meet. The four runners teamed up for a fourth-place finish in the sprint medley relay, which is the equivalent to the distance medley relay in Iowa. They posted a time of 4:04.23. The same … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls earn all-American honors in SMR at Nike Track & Field National meet
‘We just didn’t have enough offense’: Hawks drop 5-2 decision at No. 7 Waukee
Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz continues to see signs of improvement from his team. "The defense looked great, and the pitching is coming around," said Balvanz. "We just have to find a way to be more productive consistently on offense. That can be tough against some of these teams in the CIML." The Hawks dropped a 5-2 decision on Thursday at … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t have enough offense’: Hawks drop 5-2 decision at No. 7 Waukee
‘They took advantage of our mistakes’: Dragons rally past Centennial boys, Morris
With six teams in contention for the CIML Conference baseball title, every game in the second half of the season could be the one that ultimately decides the league champion. Two of the contenders collided on Thursday at Ankeny Centennial, where the eighth-ranked Jaguars were hoping to complete a sweep of the season series against No. 5 Johnston. But … [Read more...] about ‘They took advantage of our mistakes’: Dragons rally past Centennial boys, Morris
Bartine’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars 10-2 victory over No. 3 Johnston in 6 innings
Lauren Bartine picked a good time to hit her first career varsity home run. The junior designated hitter hit a two-run blast in the sixth inning to give the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team a 10-2 victory over No. 3 Johnston on Thursday at Centennial. "We played a complete team game!" said Centennial coach Brett Delaney, whose squad swept … [Read more...] about Bartine’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars 10-2 victory over No. 3 Johnston in 6 innings