The Class 5A girls' regional basketball pairings were announced on Thursday afternoon by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Fifth-ranked Ankeny (13-7) is the top seed in Region 5 and will host a semifinal game on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. The Hawkettes will play the winner of Wednesday's game between Sioux City North (5-16) and Sioux City West … [Read more...] about HOME COOKIN’: Hawkettes earn top seed in Region 5, Jags will also host semifinal
‘A lot of guys stepped up’: Ankeny boys put scare into Wolves before falling short
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Going into the fourth quarter down just two points, the Ankeny boys' basketball team had a chance at pulling off a major road upset on Tuesday night. Third-ranked Waukee Northwest kept the door cracked open wide enough that the No. 7 Hawks were within striking distance at handing the Wolves their third loss in the last four … [Read more...] about ‘A lot of guys stepped up’: Ankeny boys put scare into Wolves before falling short
‘We just kind of let go of the rope’: Ankeny girls fade in 2nd half of loss to Wolves
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For almost the entire first half, Tuesday night in Waukee looked like it was going to be a traditional back-and-forth battle between two of the top five girls' basketball teams in Class 5A. But a 10-2 run in the final 2 minutes 44 seconds of the half by second-ranked Waukee Northwest completely changed things. No. 4 … [Read more...] about ‘We just kind of let go of the rope’: Ankeny girls fade in 2nd half of loss to Wolves
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 335
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 interviews state champions Jammie Krah and Lauren Watson of the Ankeny girls' wrestling team and previews the boys' state swim meet with Ankeny senior Sam Howard. Realtor Amy Wiederin also stops by for a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 335
Gorsh scores career-high 13 points, but Centennial boys can’t overcome slow start
A slow start proved costly for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars fell into a 17-4 hole against visiting Johnston by the end of the first quarter in Tuesday's game. Centennial closed the gap to 24-19 at halftime before the Dragons pulled away for a 56-45 victory that allowed them to sweep the season series. "Our defense was … [Read more...] about Gorsh scores career-high 13 points, but Centennial boys can’t overcome slow start
‘They’re ranked No. 1 for a reason’: Jaguars suffer 72-32 loss to two-time champions
For the first 8 minutes on Tuesday, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team executed its game plan perfectly. But an opponent like top-ranked Johnston, which entered the night with a 70-game winning streak, eventually has an answer for everything. After leading by just 8-6 after the first quarter, the visiting Dragons then erupted for 28 points in … [Read more...] about ‘They’re ranked No. 1 for a reason’: Jaguars suffer 72-32 loss to two-time champions
Xtream Arena to host inaugural IGHSAU state dual meet tournament in 2027
The Iowa Girls State Dual Team Wrestling Tournament will compete in familiar surroundings when the event debuts in 2027. The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) announced today that Xtream Arena in Coralville will serve as the host venue for the inaugural Iowa Girls State Dual Team Wrestling Tournament, scheduled for January 2027. “There is … [Read more...] about Xtream Arena to host inaugural IGHSAU state dual meet tournament in 2027
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jammie Krah, Ankeny girls’ wrestling
Ankeny sophomore Jammie Krah captured a state championship at 145 pounds in the girls' Class 2A state wrestling tournament on Friday night at Xtream Arena in Coralville. She helped her team to a fourth-place finish overall. Krah finished the season with a 45-5 record. She is now 79-16 in her career after placing seventh at 145 as a freshman. Here is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jammie Krah, Ankeny girls’ wrestling
‘We had a great day’: Ankeny places 2nd at district, qualifies for state in 9 events
The Ankeny boys' swimming team qualified for the state meet in nine events with a strong performance in a district meet on Saturday at Mason City. Tenth-ranked Ankeny placed second in the eight-team field with 433 points. No. 7 Valley captured the team title with 458. "We had a great day at the pool," said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads, who along with his … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great day’: Ankeny places 2nd at district, qualifies for state in 9 events
Hawkettes build big lead, cruise to 50-40 victory over Urbandale at Casey’s Center
The Ankeny girls' basketball players are hoping that Saturday's game against Urbandale won't be their only opportunity this season to play at the Casey's Center in Des Moines. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes built a 42-23 lead after three quarters and went on to post a 50-40 victory on the same court that will host the Class 5A state tournament in a few … [Read more...] about Hawkettes build big lead, cruise to 50-40 victory over Urbandale at Casey’s Center
‘It was a lot of fun’: Hawks surge past C.R. Kennedy in 2nd half without Campbell
It won't be easy for the Ankeny boys' basketball team to replace injured guard Jasani Campbell. But the 10th-ranked Hawks showed on Saturday, though, that they have some other players capable of filling the void. Seniors Cayden Clark, Carson Bright, Sammy Cowart and Kael Roush all played key roles as Ankeny defeated Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 74-60, in the … [Read more...] about ‘It was a lot of fun’: Hawks surge past C.R. Kennedy in 2nd half without Campbell
‘They’re a tough team to come back on’: Jaguars drop 63-46 decision at Waukee
(Story by Jordan Wood) Coming into the Waukee Fieldhouse as an underdog on Friday night, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team hung tough for awhile before third-ranked Waukee eventually pulled away for a 63-46 victory. The Jaguars trailed by just 32-27 at halftime, but Waukee extended its margin in the second half and went on to post its 11th … [Read more...] about ‘They’re a tough team to come back on’: Jaguars drop 63-46 decision at Waukee
‘We didn’t expect their intensity’: Waukee girls top No. 11 Centennial to avenge loss
(Story by Jordan Wood) Heading into Friday's game at Waukee, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team was looking to sweep the season series while reaching the .500 mark for the first time this season. Having fallen short on their past two chances at evening their record, the 11th-ranked Jaguars looked to clinch it against an opponent they had … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t expect their intensity’: Waukee girls top No. 11 Centennial to avenge loss
Future looks bright for Ankeny girls’ team after 4th-place finish in Class 2A tourney
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The 2025-26 wrestling season had barely just finished on Friday night at Xtream Arena before the Ankeny girls' team started eagerly eyeing the 2026-27 campaign. Ankeny may have fallen short of its goal of capturing the Class 2A team title, but the program added to its history books by claiming two more individual crowns … [Read more...] about Future looks bright for Ankeny girls’ team after 4th-place finish in Class 2A tourney
XTREAM VICTORIES: Watson, Krah claim state wrestling titles in stunning fashion
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It was just a year ago when the Ankeny girls' wrestling team saw Elyse Engebretson and Hayden Bratland enter the history books as the program's first-ever state champions. But with Engebretson graduated and Bratland sidelined with a season-ending injury, Ankeny was going to need someone to step up and answer the … [Read more...] about XTREAM VICTORIES: Watson, Krah claim state wrestling titles in stunning fashion
Hawks take positives away from loss at Dowling, but injury to Campbell lingers
The Ankeny boys' basketball team took a lot of positives away from Friday's loss at Dowling Catholic. An injury to the Hawks' second-leading scorer certainly wasn't one of them. Junior guard Jasani Campbell was helped to the locker room after injuring his right knee with about 5 minutes left in the game. He had just scored a basket to pull the … [Read more...] about Hawks take positives away from loss at Dowling, but injury to Campbell lingers
‘It’s just tough to make shots against an elite team’: Ankeny falls to No. 3 Maroons
The Ankeny girls' basketball team got another big game from senior guard Jayla Williams, but it wasn't enough to knock off one of the state's top three squads. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes traveled to No. 3 Dowling Catholic on Friday for a showdown against the Maroons and dropped a 63-45 decision in the CIML Conference contest. Williams scored 22 points … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just tough to make shots against an elite team’: Ankeny falls to No. 3 Maroons
Several Jaguars sign letters of intent along with Ankeny’s Breitbach, Fischer
Several more football players from Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have signed letters of intent to play at the next level. Centennial's Kade Muehring and Carter Schutty are headed to Wartburg College along with teammate Nash Targgart. Houston Luce and Gavin Matheny have signed with Grand View, Kane Brooks has committed to Minnesota State, and Cameron … [Read more...] about Several Jaguars sign letters of intent along with Ankeny’s Breitbach, Fischer
‘I’m so proud of my team’: Ankeny girls sit in 2nd place after advancing 3 to semis
As she walked into Xtream Arena on Thursday afternoon, sophomore Jammie Krah was confident that her Ankeny girls' wrestling team was going to have a big day. Third-ranked Ankeny went on to win 14 of 21 matches and sits in second place after the opening day of the Class 2A state tournament at Coralville. "I'm so proud of my team. I love them so much," … [Read more...] about ‘I’m so proud of my team’: Ankeny girls sit in 2nd place after advancing 3 to semis
‘I’m excited to get going’: Kiepe hired to take over Centennial girls’ golf program
Marty Kiepe has been named the new head coach of the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team. Kiepe replaces John Petersen, who resigned from the position at the end of last season after coaching the Jaguars since 2019. "This was kind of a last-minute thing," said Kiepe. "I'm very close with coach (Andrew) Reedy, the Centennial boys' coach. We worked … [Read more...] about ‘I’m excited to get going’: Kiepe hired to take over Centennial girls’ golf program