Boys' soccer stars Brock Brazeau and Tate Duax of Ankeny Centennial were both repeat selections to the CIML Conference first team along with Ankeny standout Cal Wahlberg. The trio was joined on the first team by Keaton Kobow of Ankeny as well as Mace Nithang and Ben Ridlen of Centennial. Duax, a senior forward, was also one of three unanimous picks to the … [Read more...] about Brazeau, Duax, Wahlberg are repeat selections to CIML Conference first team
‘It’s gotten a lot better’: Nelson returns to Hawkettes’ lineup despite hairline fracture
Ankeny senior Avery Nelson wasn't going to let a hairline fracture in her wrist put an end to her high school softball career. Nelson, an outfielder, suffered the injury during the first game of a doubleheader at Urbandale on June 3. "I was trying to rob a home run, and I knew the fence was there and I kind of just went up and my glove got caught," … [Read more...] about ‘It’s gotten a lot better’: Nelson returns to Hawkettes’ lineup despite hairline fracture
IGHSAU postpones state soccer tourney semifinal games for all 3 classes to Friday
Due to impending storms in the forecast, the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union has postponed Thursday’s scheduled state soccer tournament semifinal games for all three classes to Friday. The schedule for Friday’s semifinal games is as follows: Class 1A semifinals 10:00 a.m. – Field 1: Denver vs. St. Albert10:15 a.m. – Field 2: Hudson vs. … [Read more...] about IGHSAU postpones state soccer tourney semifinal games for all 3 classes to Friday
Jaguars’ Duax, Ridlen, Brazeau, Nithang named all-state along with Ankeny duo
Four standouts from the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team have earned all-state honors from the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association along with a pair of stars from Ankeny. Senior forward Tate Duax and senior defender Ben Ridlen of Centennial were both named to the Class 4A first team. They were joined on the squad by senior midfielder Cal … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ Duax, Ridlen, Brazeau, Nithang named all-state along with Ankeny duo
Hatfield, Jaguars continue their recent home run binge in 14-2 win at North Polk
Even with Jordyn Kennedy out of the lineup for Tuesday's non-conference game, the Ankeny Centennial softball team continued its home run binge. Mylie Hatfield blasted two homers, her teammates combined for three more, and the second-ranked Jaguars cruised to a 14-2 victory in four innings at North Polk, the No. 9 team in Class 4A. "We were very … [Read more...] about Hatfield, Jaguars continue their recent home run binge in 14-2 win at North Polk
‘I think our depth really paid off’: Jaguars dominate 2nd half for 5-1 win over Ankeny
The Ankeny girls' soccer players were hoping to get another shot at their crosstown rival. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes got the rematch they wanted in the Class 3A quarterfinals at the state tournament, but the revenge they were seeking never came to fruition on a sultry Tuesday afternoon. No. 3 Ankeny Centennial scored four goals in a 23-minute span of … [Read more...] about ‘I think our depth really paid off’: Jaguars dominate 2nd half for 5-1 win over Ankeny
‘You just have to be mentally tough’: Jags rebound from walk-off loss with 10-1 win
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial baseball team watched the Dowling Catholic dugout pour onto the field after the Maroons ended the first game of Monday’s doubleheader with a walk-off single. The Jaguars simply left that game in the rear view and focused on getting the win back in the second matchup. A five-RBI night for Brekken … [Read more...] about ‘You just have to be mentally tough’: Jags rebound from walk-off loss with 10-1 win
Jaguars pound out 8 homers, 4 of them by Hatfield, in sweep over Dowling Catholic
The ball was flying off the bats of the Ankeny Centennial softball players on Monday night. The second-ranked Jaguars pounded out eight home runs in a doubleheader sweep at No. 12 Dowling Catholic. They posted a 9-2 win in the opener before routing the Maroons, 14-0, in four innings in the second game. Centennial now leads the entire state with 26 home … [Read more...] about Jaguars pound out 8 homers, 4 of them by Hatfield, in sweep over Dowling Catholic
‘They are a tough team to beat’: Ankeny girls fall twice to No. 1 Wolves, Schlader
Waukee Northwest's Sophia Schlader showed again on Monday night why she's considered one of the top softball players in the nation. The sophomore tossed a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts to lead the top-ranked Wolves to a 9-0 victory over visiting Ankeny in five innings in the first game of a doubleheader. Northwest, the defending state champion, then … [Read more...] about ‘They are a tough team to beat’: Ankeny girls fall twice to No. 1 Wolves, Schlader
Hawks rely on strong pitching, defense to sweep both games at Waukee Northwest
The Ankeny baseball team has already dug itself a hole in the CIML Conference race. After getting off to an 0-6 start, the Hawks likely aren't going to contend for the league crown. But that doesn't mean that they can't play the role of a spoiler. Ankeny traveled to Waukee Northwest on Monday for a doubleheader against the Wolves, who entered the week … [Read more...] about Hawks rely on strong pitching, defense to sweep both games at Waukee Northwest
‘I saw a lot of encouraging things’: Hawks outlast Indianola in 16-inning marathon
The Ankeny baseball team earned its second win of the season on Saturday in dramatic fashion. The Hawks held previously unbeaten Indianola scoreless over the final 12 innings and rallied to beat the host Indians, 9-3, in a 16-inning marathon. Indianola (11-1) had defeated Ankeny, 8-4, in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal last year. "I don't think I've … [Read more...] about ‘I saw a lot of encouraging things’: Hawks outlast Indianola in 16-inning marathon
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ava Paoli, Ankeny girls’ soccer
Senior forward Ava Paoli has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny girls' soccer team to an 11-5-1 record and another berth in the Class 3A state tournament. She had an assist on Thursday as the Hawkettes punched their ticket to state with a 3-1 win over Cedar Rapids Kennedy in a regional final. Paoli leads her team with 14 goals and 34 points. She has six … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ava Paoli, Ankeny girls’ soccer
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 351
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 Jag-Hawk matchup in the Class 3A quarterfinals of the girls' state soccer tournament with coach Gavin Mason and junior midfielder Isabel Squires of Ankeny and coach Chris Allen and junior … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 351
‘I just really liked the coaching staff’: Centennial TE Newman commits to Illinois
Ankeny Centennial football standout Cade Newman is headed to Champaign. The junior tight end announced his verbal commitment to Illinois on Saturday. Iowa State, Wake Forest, Air Force and Army were among his 19 Division I offers. "I took two official visits--one to Iowa State and the other to Illinois," said Newman. "I just really liked the coaching … [Read more...] about ‘I just really liked the coaching staff’: Centennial TE Newman commits to Illinois
Jaguars earn another trip to state, will get rematch vs. Ankeny in 3A quarterfinals
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The feeling of getting their ticket punched to the girls' state soccer tournament has never gotten old for Ankeny Centennial coach Chris Allen and his players. Now, the third-ranked Jaguars are headed to the Class 3A tournament for the 11th time in the program’s 12 years of existence. Centennial scored a pair of … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn another trip to state, will get rematch vs. Ankeny in 3A quarterfinals
‘A couple of mistakes will punish you’: Jaguars fall short in Class 4A title game
Only 25 minutes separated the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team from completing an undefeated season with the first state title in program history. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be. Second-ranked Waukee Northwest scored three late goals to beat the No. 1 Jaguars, 3-1, in the Class 4A championship game on Friday at Mediacom Stadium. It's the first … [Read more...] about ‘A couple of mistakes will punish you’: Jaguars fall short in Class 4A title game
Jags beat Ames, then rout C.R. Kennedy behind Kennedy’s big game at plate
It didn't take long for the Ankeny Centennial softball team to bounce back from its first loss of the season. Less than 24 hours after dropping a 6-5 decision to top-ranked Waukee Northwest on Thursday, No. 2 Centennial recorded a pair of shutout victories in the Jaguar Invitational on Friday. Coach Brett Delaney's team posted a 6-0 win over Ames, then … [Read more...] about Jags beat Ames, then rout C.R. Kennedy behind Kennedy’s big game at plate
‘Northwest is a really good team’: Wolves never trail, sweep twinbill at Centennial
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team entered Friday's doubleheader against visiting Waukee Northwest on a four-game winning streak and was one of five squads within a game of first place in the CIML Conference. Unfortunately, the Jaguars never held a lead while dropping both games of the twinbill. Northwest rolled to an 8-2 win in the opener and then held … [Read more...] about ‘Northwest is a really good team’: Wolves never trail, sweep twinbill at Centennial
Wolves score 3 goals in final 25 minutes to beat Centennial boys for Class 4A crown
Second-ranked Waukee Northwest scored three goals in the final 25 minutes to beat No. 1 Ankeny Centennial, 3-1, in the Class 4A championship game at the boys' state soccer tournament on Friday at Mediacom Stadium. The Wolves rallied after Centennial took the lead in the 49th minute on a goal by Garrett Christensen, who was assisted by Tate Duax. It was … [Read more...] about Wolves score 3 goals in final 25 minutes to beat Centennial boys for Class 4A crown
‘We’re excited for the next step’: Ankeny girls advance to state, will face Jaguars
Ankeny senior Avery Taylor didn't want Thursday's game to be the last one of her high school soccer career. Taylor scored a goal in the 70th minute to put an exclamation point on the sixth-ranked Hawkettes' 3-1 victory over No. 11 Cedar Rapids Kennedy in a Class 3A regional final at Ankeny. The win allowed Ankeny (11-5-1) to advance to the state … [Read more...] about ‘We’re excited for the next step’: Ankeny girls advance to state, will face Jaguars