The boys' 4x800 relay at the Drake Relays on Saturday didn't exactly go according to plan for defending champion Ankeny. The Hawks were in second place when their third runner, Justice Rathje, fell onto the track while handing the baton to teammate Ethan Zuber. "I was just trying not to fall over that last 300 (meters) when that Cedar Falls guy passed … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a great feeling’: Ankeny boys defend their Drake Relays crown in 4×800 relay
Hawkettes top Dallas Center-Grimes, then struggle in loss to unranked C.R. Prairie
Ankeny looked like two different girls' soccer teams in a span of less than 24 hours. After posting a 2-0 win over visiting Dallas Center-Grimes on Friday night, the fourth-ranked Hawkettes returned to their home pitch on Saturday afternoon and dropped a 2-1 decision to unranked Cedar Rapids Prairie in another non-conference game. "I think the girls … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top Dallas Center-Grimes, then struggle in loss to unranked C.R. Prairie
Bruhl chooses football over baseball, commits to play receiver for Iowa Western
Ankeny Centennial senior Isaac Bruhl is a two-time state placewinner in wrestling and an all-state infielder on the baseball team. He discovered last fall, though, that football was his favorite sport. "I knew I wanted to play either baseball or football in college and after this year’s football season, I had a lot of fun and didn’t want to give up … [Read more...] about Bruhl chooses football over baseball, commits to play receiver for Iowa Western
‘We had to remain patient’: Hawks beat Norwalk on Jimenez’s goal in 2nd half
Senior midfielder Brian Jimenez picked a good time to score his first goal of the season for the Ankeny boys' soccer team. Jimenez found the net in the second half for the game's only goal to give the Hawks a 1-0 victory at Norwalk in a non-conference matchup on Saturday. "It was a quality performance," said Ankeny coach Trevor Fuccio, whose team … [Read more...] about ‘We had to remain patient’: Hawks beat Norwalk on Jimenez’s goal in 2nd half
‘I’m happy how it ended’: Madetzke places 6th in 1,500 at Relays, sets school record
Before she stepped back onto the blue oval Saturday afternoon at Drake Stadium, Ankeny junior Makenna Madetzke realized how lucky she was to be running her next race under sunny skies and moderate conditions. "I was just talking to my teammate (Sophia Graber) before the race about how we were getting the perfect temperature for the weekend," Madetzke … [Read more...] about ‘I’m happy how it ended’: Madetzke places 6th in 1,500 at Relays, sets school record
‘We just had to run our own race’: Jaguars break Drake Relays record in 4×200 relay
Friday's session of the Drake Relays produced many memorable moments on a cool and overcast day, including a record-setting performance by the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. The Jaguars raced to a victory in the 4x200 relay in a meet-record time of 1:26.55, finishing .56 seconds ahead of runner-up Newton. It was one of five high school marks that … [Read more...] about ‘We just had to run our own race’: Jaguars break Drake Relays record in 4×200 relay
Central Bank Athletes of the Month: 4×200 relay, Ankeny Centennial boys’ track
The foursome of Robert McGhee, Cael Woods, Caleb Reed and Braeden Jackson raced to a Drake Relays title while setting a meet record with a time of 1:26.55. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athletes of the Month: 4×200 relay, Ankeny Centennial boys’ track
Jaguars drop 9-2 decision at Valley, still seeking their first win of 2025 campaign
The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team is still searching for its first victory. The Jaguars dropped a 9-2 decision at Valley in a CIML Conference matchup on Thursday. The Tigers improved to 3-2 in the league and 5-3 overall, while Centennial's records fell to 0-6 and 0-8. Owen George provided a win at No. 5 singles. He defeated John-Henry Larson, … [Read more...] about Jaguars drop 9-2 decision at Valley, still seeking their first win of 2025 campaign
Postma, Martin each score pair of goals in Centennial’s 8-0 triumph at Mason City
Mady Postma recorded a brace in the first half, and the second-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team went on to post an 8-0 victory at Mason City in a non-conference game on Thursday. It was the first two goals of the season for Postma, a sophomore midfielder. "It felt really good, especially since I haven’t scored yet this season," said Postma. … [Read more...] about Postma, Martin each score pair of goals in Centennial’s 8-0 triumph at Mason City
Christensen’s goal in 2nd half gives Centennial boys 1-0 victory at Norwalk
In a matchup of rated foes, the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team posted a 1-0 victory at Norwalk in a non-conference game on Thursday. The eighth-ranked Jaguars, who bounced back from Tuesday's 7-2 loss at No. 2 Dowling Catholic, raised their record to 6-3. Norwalk, the No. 5 team in Class 3A, fell to 4-2-2. "Norwalk was super organized and … [Read more...] about Christensen’s goal in 2nd half gives Centennial boys 1-0 victory at Norwalk
‘I love the energy’: Beason, Mohrhauser run last Relays races; Zuber places 3rd
For the first seven laps of the boys' 3,200 at the Drake Relays on Thursday, it appeared that Ankeny senior Ethan Zuber and Cedar Falls junior Jaden Merrick could be headed for another scintillating finish on the blue oval. Merrick and Zuber ran 1-2 almost the entire way--just like they did last year, when Zuber surged to the lead on the final lap before … [Read more...] about ‘I love the energy’: Beason, Mohrhauser run last Relays races; Zuber places 3rd
‘You want to get the best of the best’: Jags hire Delger, Harken to coach hoops teams
Ankeny Centennial Activities Director Nate Lingren didn't have to look very far to find replacements for legendary basketball coaches Scott DeJong and Bob Fontana. Both of the Jaguars' new coaches were already in the building. Matt Delger, Fontana's former assistant, has been hired to take over the boys' program. He was introduced on Wednesday. "I … [Read more...] about ‘You want to get the best of the best’: Jags hire Delger, Harken to coach hoops teams
Geiselhart earns medalist honors, leads Jaguars past Ankeny in triangular meet
The Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team avenged one loss from six days ago and nearly avenged another one. The Jaguars shot a 183 in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Wednesday at Otter Creek, where they defeated crosstown rival Ankeny by nine strokes after losing to the Hawkettes by 12 shots in the Toni Dickey Invitational on the same course on April … [Read more...] about Geiselhart earns medalist honors, leads Jaguars past Ankeny in triangular meet
‘I love the fight’: Hawks use dramatic late rally to earn 3-3 tie against No. 5 Johnston
Ankeny boys' soccer coach Trevor Fuccio wasn't happy with his team's effort in the early stages of Tuesday's game against visiting Johnston. The Hawks' performance over the last 10 minutes, though, more than made up for it. Ankeny scored two late goals in a dramatic rally to escape with a 3-3 tie against the two-time defending Class 4A state champions. … [Read more...] about ‘I love the fight’: Hawks use dramatic late rally to earn 3-3 tie against No. 5 Johnston
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 302
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 Drake Relays with senior Ethan Zuber of the Ankeny boys' track team, senior Cael Woods and sophomore Anna Woods of the Ankeny Centennial squads, and junior Charlee Cibula of the Ankeny girls' … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 302
IGHSAU announces State Dual Meet Tourney coming to girls’ wrestling in 2027
The Board of Directors at the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) unanimously approved the implementation of a girls' wrestling state dual tournament for the 2026-27 season. “A state dual meet tournament is something that our wrestling schools have wanted,” said IGHSAU Executive Director Erin Gerlich. “The impressive growth of girls' wrestling … [Read more...] about IGHSAU announces State Dual Meet Tourney coming to girls’ wrestling in 2027
‘The game plan didn’t work’: Mendez, No. 2 Dowling romp past Centennial boys, 7-2
A week ago, the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team was mostly successful in containing high-scoring Ankeny forward Landon Benge. The Jaguars weren't as successful on Tuesday defending Dowling Catholic star Jonathan Mendez. Mendez erupted for four goals and two assists to lead the second-ranked Maroons to a 7-2 victory over No. 8 Centennial in a CIML … [Read more...] about ‘The game plan didn’t work’: Mendez, No. 2 Dowling romp past Centennial boys, 7-2
‘We put a lot of pressure on them’: Ankeny girls end drought in 2-0 win at Johnston
The Ankeny girls' soccer team finally found the back of the net. After going scoreless in their last three games, the fourth-ranked Hawkettes got goals from Abby Steinkamp and Izzy Squires to post a 2-0 victory at No. 11 Johnston on Tuesday. "We put a lot of pressure on them," said Ankeny coach Simon Brown. "It's not easy to win on the road, but we … [Read more...] about ‘We put a lot of pressure on them’: Ankeny girls end drought in 2-0 win at Johnston
Passing the torch: Fontana’s ex-assistant Delger to take over Centennial boys’ post
Former assistant coach Matt Delger has been hired to replace longtime Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana, the school announced on Wednesday. We will have more on this developing story later today. … [Read more...] about Passing the torch: Fontana’s ex-assistant Delger to take over Centennial boys’ post
Jaguars finally solve Dowling’s defense, get late goal from freshman for 1-0 win
One goal was all that the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team needed on Tuesday night. The third-ranked Jaguars finally got it with just under 10 minutes left to play on their home pitch. Adeline Kroska scored off an assist by Ava Martin, and Centennial went on to beat No. 10 Dowling Catholic, 1-0, in a CIML Conference game. "We felt if we could … [Read more...] about Jaguars finally solve Dowling’s defense, get late goal from freshman for 1-0 win