Ankeny Centennial senior Will Nesler has committed to play baseball at Iowa Central Community College. Nesler, a shortstop, said his ultimate goal is to play at the Division I level. "I looked at many schools from DI all the way through to (junior colleges)," said Nesler. "I had a lot of (Iowa Community College Athletic Conference) offers and wanted to … [Read more...] about ‘They will push me to get better’: Nesler commits to play baseball at Iowa Central
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Trinity Klingensmith, ACHS girls’ cross country
Junior Trinity Klingensmith helped the second-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team to a runner-up finish in the Fort Dodge Invitational on Thursday at Lakeside Golf Course. She placed 33rd in the 5k race with a time of 19 minutes 37.6 seconds. Klingensmith is a two-time state qualifier. She took 83rd in 20:07 as a freshman in 2024 as the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Trinity Klingensmith, ACHS girls’ cross country
‘It was a great opportunity’: Hawkettes sweep No. 1 Norwalk, 2 other foes at quad
The Ankeny volleyball team swept three opponents in the Ankeny Quadrangular on Saturday to raise its overall record to 28-6 on the season. The third-ranked Hawkettes posted a 25-22, 27-25 win in the championship match over Norwalk, the No. 1 team in Class 4A. The Warriors are now 26-6. "We have been emphasizing enjoying these last few matches and … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great opportunity’: Hawkettes sweep No. 1 Norwalk, 2 other foes at quad
Villhauer shines in return to pool, leads Ankeny to 6th-place finish at Johnston
Saturday's Johnston Invitational was essentially a preview of the CIML Conference girls' swimming meet to be held later this month at the Waukee Natatorium. Six of the seven squads from the CIML comprised more than half of the 11-team field in Saturday's meet at Summit Middle School. Eighth-ranked Valley was the only CIML school that did not … [Read more...] about Villhauer shines in return to pool, leads Ankeny to 6th-place finish at Johnston
Pollock returns to lineup, helps Jaguars defend their title at Westside Invitational
With senior Ellie Pollock back in the lineup, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team could be peaking at the right time. Pollock returned to the court on Saturday as sixth-ranked Centennial defended its title in the Westside Invitational at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The Jaguars posted a 25-19, 30-28 victory over No. 4 Dowling Catholic in the championship … [Read more...] about Pollock returns to lineup, helps Jaguars defend their title at Westside Invitational
HAPPY HOMECOMING: Ankeny bounces back from loss, dominates Little Cyclones
(Story by Isaiah Pine) After a disappointing loss to second-ranked Johnston a week ago, the No. 3 Ankeny football team looked to bounce back against Ames in its homecoming game on Friday. And that's exactly what the Hawks did, rolling to a 56-7 victory. Devan Goode ran for a pair of touchdowns in the first half, while Caleb Alhussaini ran for one … [Read more...] about HAPPY HOMECOMING: Ankeny bounces back from loss, dominates Little Cyclones
‘They just ran into a hot football team’: Jaguars fall to surging Indianola squad
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial football team knew that if it wanted any hope of being in contention for a playoff berth, the Jaguars needed to find a way to pull off a big win. But a dynamic Indianola offense adding a big-time playmaker threw a wrench into those plans. Centennial struggled to contain a prolific Indianola attack … [Read more...] about ‘They just ran into a hot football team’: Jaguars fall to surging Indianola squad
Machan leads the way as No. 3 Hawks roll past Ames for 56-7 homecoming victory
There was no shortage of big plays for the Ankeny football team on Friday night. The third-ranked Hawks scored seven touchdowns in the first 16 minutes of the game and went on to post a 56-7 homecoming victory over Ames at Ankeny Stadium. Ankeny (6-1) bounced back from a 27-0 loss at No. 2 Johnston a week ago. Quarterback Mason Machan was intercepted … [Read more...] about Machan leads the way as No. 3 Hawks roll past Ames for 56-7 homecoming victory
‘The guys were excited to race again’: Jaguars take 5th, Hawks 9th at Fort Dodge
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country teams finally got a chance to compete again on Thursday after being idle for nearly three weeks. Fifteenth-ranked Centennial placed fifth among 26 squads in the Fort Dodge Invitational at Lakeside Golf Course, which will also host the state meet on Oct. 31. The Jaguars finished with 183 … [Read more...] about ‘The guys were excited to race again’: Jaguars take 5th, Hawks 9th at Fort Dodge
‘Keep showing up!’: Jaguars place 2nd at Fort Dodge Invite in preview of state meet
Thursday's Fort Dodge Invitational was a preview of the upcoming Class 4A state meet for the second-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team. Competing on the same 5k course at Lakeside Golf Course that will host the state meet on Oct. 31, the Jaguars placed second in the 25-team field with 79 points. They finished 19 points behind No. 3 Waukee … [Read more...] about ‘Keep showing up!’: Jaguars place 2nd at Fort Dodge Invite in preview of state meet
Volleyball pairings announced: Eagles, Hawkettes, Jaguars earn top seeds
The Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball teams have all been awarded top seeds for regional play by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The third-ranked Hawkettes (25-6) will host Cedar Rapids Jefferson (6-20) or Des Moines East (5-18) in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. With a win, they … [Read more...] about Volleyball pairings announced: Eagles, Hawkettes, Jaguars earn top seeds
‘We turned it around’: Hawkettes drop first set, then cruise to third win over Waukee
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It’s never easy scoring multiple wins over the same volleyball team in the same season when playing in the CIML Conference. But third-ranked Ankeny was able to bounce back from a first set loss on its home court and rallied for a 22-25, 25-12, 25-19, 25-19 victory over No. 14 Waukee in the third meeting between the two … [Read more...] about ‘We turned it around’: Hawkettes drop first set, then cruise to third win over Waukee
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 364
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 season thus far with coach Dustin Rhoads and juniors Maggie Blackmore and Charlie Villhauer of the Ankeny girls' swimming team. Indianola football coach Eric Kluver also stops by to preview … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 364
‘This is a special group’: Ankeny swimmers honor 10 seniors during loss to Maroons
The outcome of Tuesday's dual meet at Trail Point Aquatics Center wasn't the primary concern for Dustin Rhoads. The Ankeny girls' swimming coach just wanted his athletes to enjoy their Senior Night. "Tonight was all about celebrating our 10 seniors," Rhoads said after his seventh-ranked squad dropped a 114-72 decision to No. 1 Dowling Catholic. "Senior … [Read more...] about ‘This is a special group’: Ankeny swimmers honor 10 seniors during loss to Maroons
‘It was a tough day’: Jaguars struggle with windy conditions, quick greens in LeMars
The season came to an end on Monday for the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team. The Jaguars shot a 312 in a Class 4A district meet at Willow Creek in LeMars, but it wasn't good enough to place among the top three squads. "It was a tough day," said Centennial coach Andrew Reedy. "We battled some wind and quick greens, and the kids struggled with … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough day’: Jaguars struggle with windy conditions, quick greens in LeMars
Shadwick advances to 4A state meet, leads Ankeny golfers to 4th-place finish
A year ago, Drake Shadwick couldn't even crack the varsity lineup for the Ankeny boys' golf team. Now, he's headed to the Class 4A state meet. The lone senior among the Hawks' top six players, Shadwick carded a 76 on Monday to place seventh in a district meet at Lake Panorama National Golf Course. He qualified for state as an individual along with … [Read more...] about Shadwick advances to 4A state meet, leads Ankeny golfers to 4th-place finish
Ankeny is No. 3, Centennial No. 23 in first Class 5A RPI football rankings from IHSAA
The Ankeny football team is No. 3 in Class 5A in the first RPI rankings of the season from the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Southeast Polk (6-0), the lone remaining unbeaten team, is No. 1 with an RPI of .7078. The Rams are just ahead of No. 2 Johnston (5-1), which has an RPI of .7063 after handing Ankeny its first loss, 27-0, on Friday. The … [Read more...] about Ankeny is No. 3, Centennial No. 23 in first Class 5A RPI football rankings from IHSAA
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Avlyn Davis, Ankeny Christian volleyball
Sophomore setter Avlyn Davis has helped the Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team to a 28-1 record and a No. 1 ranking in Class 1A. The Eagles defeated five opponents on Saturday to win the Madrid Pink Out Tournament, capped off by a 19-21, 21-7, 15-12 victory over Webster City. Davis has recorded 325 assists, 160 digs and 49 aces this season. She … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Avlyn Davis, Ankeny Christian volleyball
Former Centennial coach Groth inducted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Former Ankeny Centennial coach Jay Groth was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Saturday in Des Moines. Groth was officially enshrined during the annual meeting of the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association at the Airport Holiday Inn. "It's very humbling," said Groth, who retired at the end of last season after 34 years as a … [Read more...] about Former Centennial coach Groth inducted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame
‘We had a good day of racing’: Ankeny swimmers place 2nd at Marcussen Invite
After not competing for 10 days, the Ankeny girls' swimming team returned to action on Saturday and placed second among 10 squads in the 48th Marcussen Invitational at Cedar Falls. Seventh-ranked Ankeny racked up 343 points despite winning no events. Coach Dustin Rhoads' team raised its overall record to 13-4 on the season. No. 3 Cedar Falls easily … [Read more...] about ‘We had a good day of racing’: Ankeny swimmers place 2nd at Marcussen Invite