The recruiting process only lasted about a month for Ankeny Centennial softball standout Peyten Spiegel. The junior pitcher announced on Friday that she has verbally committed to play for Missouri State. "Starting on Sept 1 I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I received calls and texts from all over I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy process," … [Read more...] about ‘Missouri St. checked all the boxes’: Centennial’s Spiegel commits to Bears
‘I am so proud of the growth’: Centennial girls end season with 5-0 loss to Johnston
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team was hoping to pull off a gigantic upset on Saturday. With a trip to the state team tournament at stake, Johnston refused to let it happen. The host Dragons defeated Centennial, 5-0, in a Class 2A regional final. The Jaguars finished the season with a 6-10 record. "While the result wasn’t what we hoped for, I … [Read more...] about ‘I am so proud of the growth’: Centennial girls end season with 5-0 loss to Johnston
‘They made a lot of plays’: Dragons pick off 5 passes in 27-0 victory over Ankeny
It's back to the drawing board for the Ankeny football team. After cruising through the first five weeks of the season, the Hawks suffered a humbling defeat on Friday, dropping a 27-0 decision at Johnston in a showdown between two of the top squads in Class 5A. "Our coach always says, 'Good times make weak people,'" said Ankeny linebacker Rowan Doak. … [Read more...] about ‘They made a lot of plays’: Dragons pick off 5 passes in 27-0 victory over Ankeny
‘We need to learn lessons from this’: Hawks suffer first shutout loss since 2018
(Story by Dom Tornabane) The Johnston football team made a huge statement on Friday night. The Dragons intercepted five passes, held visiting Ankeny to just 77 yards of total offense and rolled to a 27-0 victory over the previously unbeaten Hawks. Ankeny was held scoreless for the first time since the 2018 season, when the Hawks lost to Dowling … [Read more...] about ‘We need to learn lessons from this’: Hawks suffer first shutout loss since 2018
‘The girls continue to peak’: Jaguars oust Ottumwa, will play Dragons for state berth
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team has earned a rematch against CIML Conference rival Johnston. The Jaguars kept their season alive with a 5-2 victory over previously unbeaten Ottumwa in the semifinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Wednesday. The meet was moved indoors to the Punj Tennis Center in Fairfield due to rain. Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘The girls continue to peak’: Jaguars oust Ottumwa, will play Dragons for state berth
‘I miss her out there’: Without injured Pollock, Centennial gets swept by Wolves
It's hard enough to beat the top-ranked Waukee Northwest volleyball team under normal circumstances. But without one of its senior leaders, No. 5 Ankeny Centennial faced an even bigger uphill climb. The Jaguars played without injured outside hitter Ellie Pollock and dropped a 25-18, 25-18, 25-9 decision on Tuesday at Northwest, which clinched at least … [Read more...] about ‘I miss her out there’: Without injured Pollock, Centennial gets swept by Wolves
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 363
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 discusses the Ankeny football team's 5-0 start with seniors Garrett Bauer and Dawson Whitinger. Ankeny High School Strength & Conditioning Director Andrew Moser also stops by along with realtor Janae … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 363
‘We all believed in each other’: Hawkettes outlast Dowling girls in top-5 showdown
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Tuesday's top-five volleyball showdown between fourth-ranked Ankeny and No. 3 Dowling Catholic seemed like it would take five sets to decide the winner. Ankeny had no interest in a fifth set though, and the Hawkettes battled back from an 11-4 deficit and later overcame three set points in an extended fourth set to close out … [Read more...] about ‘We all believed in each other’: Hawkettes outlast Dowling girls in top-5 showdown
Centennial, Ankeny golfers compete in tough conditions at Turk Bowman Invite
Tuesday was another rainy day on the golf course for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' teams. The Jaguars placed fifth among 13 squads in the Turk Bowman Invitational at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. They posted a score of 319 on one of the state's most difficult courses. Ankeny, meanwhile, finished 11th with a 364 total. Coach Mike … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny golfers compete in tough conditions at Turk Bowman Invite
‘I’m super excited’: Potratz promoted to head coach of Ankeny boys’ soccer team
There's been a lot of continuity in the Ankeny boys' soccer program. That will still be the case with the hiring of the Hawks' new head coach. Assistant coach Jake Potratz has been named the replacement for Trevor Fuccio, who resigned from the position after guiding Ankeny to a 28-27-3 record over the last three seasons. "I'm super excited about the … [Read more...] about ‘I’m super excited’: Potratz promoted to head coach of Ankeny boys’ soccer team
‘I am all tennis all the time now’: Ames girls’ coach to lead Ankeny boys’ program
John Hernandez has been busy this fall coaching the Ames girls' tennis squad to a 7-6 record heading into Wednesday's match against Johnston in the semifinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament. In the spring, Hernandez will take on some additional coaching duties. He has been hired to coach the Ankeny boys' program. Hernandez replaces Ron Miller, … [Read more...] about ‘I am all tennis all the time now’: Ames girls’ coach to lead Ankeny boys’ program
‘It’s great to be a Hawk!’: Ex-Urbandale coach Jacobs to guide Ankeny boys’ track
The new head coach of the Ankeny boys' track team is already familiar with the Hawks' program. Joel Jacobs spent the last four years as the head coach at Urbandale, where he watched Jordan Mullen lead the Ankeny squad to unprecedented heights during that stretch. Jacobs has now been hired to replace Mullen, who resigned from his position at the end of … [Read more...] about ‘It’s great to be a Hawk!’: Ex-Urbandale coach Jacobs to guide Ankeny boys’ track
‘We learned the importance of all 6 guys’: Hawks shoot 303 in final CIML triangular
(Story by Isaiah Pine) The Ankeny boys' golf team completed its CIML Conference regular season schedule with a 3-5 record after falling to both ninth-ranked Dowling Catholic and No. 8 Waukee on Monday. The Maroons shot a 289 to win the triangular meet at Otter Creek. The Warriors posted a 298 total, while Ankeny finished third with a 303. "Even … [Read more...] about ‘We learned the importance of all 6 guys’: Hawks shoot 303 in final CIML triangular
Centennial golfers shoot 327 in triangular to begin busy stretch of 3 meets in 4 days
The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team began a busy week by shooting a 327 in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Monday at River Valley Golf Course in Adel. The Jaguars finished their CIML regular season schedule with a 2-6 record after falling to both fourth-ranked Waukee Northwest and No. 5 Southeast Polk. The Wolves posted a 291 total to edge the Rams … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers shoot 327 in triangular to begin busy stretch of 3 meets in 4 days
‘Our team showed up strong today!’: Jags top Ankeny in 2A regional quarterfinal, 5-0
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team was ready for the rematch against its crosstown rival. The Jaguars posted a 5-0 victory over Ankeny in the quarterfinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Monday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Hawkettes had also lost to Centennial, 11-0, a month ago. "Our team showed up strong today!" said Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘Our team showed up strong today!’: Jags top Ankeny in 2A regional quarterfinal, 5-0
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jax Alvarez, Centennial boys’ cross country
Senior Jax Alvarez has led the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team to a No. 14 ranking in Class 4A from the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. He is ranked seventh as an individual. Alvarez earned a top-10 finish in the prestigious Gans Creek Classic on Friday at Columbia, Mo. He placed sixth in a field of 316 runners with a time of 15 minutes 11.8 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jax Alvarez, Centennial boys’ cross country
Jackson’s 99-yard kickoff return for TD helps Iowa to thrilling win at Big House
The hype surrounding Braeden Jackson is likely only to grow even larger this week. The former Ankeny Centennial star returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and racked up 138 all-purpose yards as the 17th-ranked Iowa football team went on to defeat No. 18 Michigan, 20-19, on a last-second touchdown reception by Reece Vander Zee on Saturday at Michigan … [Read more...] about Jackson’s 99-yard kickoff return for TD helps Iowa to thrilling win at Big House
‘Urbandale is a good team’: J-Hawks rally from early 14-0 deficit to beat Centennial
A fast start ignited the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 14-0 lead over visiting Urbandale on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. Unfortunately, the Jaguars couldn't sustain their early momentum. The J-Hawks closed to within 17-14 at halftime and then dominated the second half to post a 35-23 victory. They scored 28 unanswered points to spoil Centennial's … [Read more...] about ‘Urbandale is a good team’: J-Hawks rally from early 14-0 deficit to beat Centennial
Jaguar girls, Alvarez run record-setting races vs. elite field at Gans Creek Classic
Competing against an elite field with teams from multiple states, the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country squad placed sixth in the Gans Creek Classic on Friday at Columbia, Mo. The third-ranked Jaguars posted a score of 238 points in a meet that featured 40 teams and 323 runners. According to Centennial girls' coach Eric Cogdill, the course was built … [Read more...] about Jaguar girls, Alvarez run record-setting races vs. elite field at Gans Creek Classic
‘The offense kept answering for us’: Hawks outlast Sioux City East in shootout, 35-25
The Ankeny football team passed its biggest test of the season thus far. The visiting Hawks got a pair of interceptions from Zane McAnelly and Dawson Whitinger in the second half and held off Sioux City East, 35-25, in a battle of unbeaten squads on Friday at Elwood Olsen Stadium. "It was a tough one," said Ankeny coach Jeff Bauer. "It was a strange … [Read more...] about ‘The offense kept answering for us’: Hawks outlast Sioux City East in shootout, 35-25