Caleb Rathjen is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The Ankeny freshman placed second at 113 pounds in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. Rathjen advanced to the finals before dropping a 10-8 decision to top-ranked Nick Oldham of Valley in a seesaw match. He compiled a 20-2 record … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Rathjen, Ankeny wrestling
Archives for February 2018
Centennial girls fight off pesky Urbandale squad, will host Valley next
Survive and advance. That's what it's all about for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team at this time of the year. The fifth-ranked Jaguars fought off a pesky Urbandale squad to post a 52-39 victory in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday at Centennial. The win was the 10th in a row for Centennial (19-3), but it didn't come … [Read more...] about Centennial girls fight off pesky Urbandale squad, will host Valley next
Hawkettes celebrate tournament victory by doing the Hokey Pokey
Apparently, there is a second girls' basketball coach in Ankeny who likes to celebrate big victories by doing the Hokey Pokey. Scott DeJong started the tradition during his long run at Ankeny High School, where he guided the Hawkettes to six state championships. He then continued the ritual when he moved across town to Ankeny Centennial, where he led the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes celebrate tournament victory by doing the Hokey Pokey
Monroe has no answers for Biscoglia Buzzsaw, earns repeat runner-up finish
Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe ran into a proverbial buzzsaw on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena. You might even call it a Biscoglia Buzzsaw. Waukee's top-ranked Kyle Biscoglia turned in a dominating performance to win his third state wrestling title, posting a 9-2 decision over the sixth-ranked Monroe in the Class 3A championship match at 120 … [Read more...] about Monroe has no answers for Biscoglia Buzzsaw, earns repeat runner-up finish
Valley’s Oldham edges Rathjen in seesaw battle for state title
On Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena, Caleb Rathjen was 2 minutes away from winning his first state wrestling title. Now, the Ankeny freshman will have to wait 365 days to get another shot at winning a crown. Valley's top-ranked Nick Oldham rallied in the third period to beat the second-ranked Rathjen, 10-8, in the Class 3A championship match at 113 … [Read more...] about Valley’s Oldham edges Rathjen in seesaw battle for state title
Neils earns 4th-place finish for Jaguars; Anderson takes 7th for Hawks
Ankeny senior Spencer Anderson closed out his wrestling career in style. Ankeny Centennial sophomore Logan Neils showed that his career is just beginning to blossom. Neils earned a fourth-place finish at 160 pounds in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. Anderson finished seventh at 132 with a 9-7 decision over 10th-ranked … [Read more...] about Neils earns 4th-place finish for Jaguars; Anderson takes 7th for Hawks
Hawks ‘run out of gas’ in loss to Dowling Catholic
In its regular-season finale, the Ankeny boys' basketball team showed just how dangerous the Hawks can be during postseason play. Visiting Dowling Catholic also demonstrated its potential to be a contender for the Class 4A state title. Ankeny made five 3-point goals while jumping out to a double-digit lead in the first half before the Maroons rallied … [Read more...] about Hawks ‘run out of gas’ in loss to Dowling Catholic
Dominating wins send Rathjen, Monroe to Saturday’s finals
Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen and Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe share at least one trait in common. They both look comfortable on Iowa's biggest wrestling stage. The duo posted dominating wins on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena to advance to Saturday's championship matches in the Class 3A state tournament. "It feels great. It's an awesome … [Read more...] about Dominating wins send Rathjen, Monroe to Saturday’s finals
Jaguars roll past Lincoln in preview of substate opener
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team didn't want to end the regular season with a four-game losing streak. Mission accomplished. The Jaguars jumped out to a 33-8 halftime lead and cruised to a 66-52 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in a CIML non-conference game on Friday. The win snapped a three-game skid for Centennial, which improved … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Lincoln in preview of substate opener
Ankeny’s Rathjen, Centennial’s Monroe earn berths in Class 3A semifinals
Ankeny's Caleb Rathjen and Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe are both headed to the Class 3A semifinals of the state wrestling tournament on Friday night. The second-ranked Rathjen pinned No. 7 Jakey Penrith of Cedar Falls in 3 minutes 11 seconds in a quarterfinal match at 113 pounds on Friday morning at Wells Fargo Arena. The freshman won for the 19th time … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen, Centennial’s Monroe earn berths in Class 3A semifinals
Jaguars advance duo to quarterfinals; 4 others alive in consolation bracket
Six of Ankeny Centennial's eight state qualifiers are still alive following Thursday's opening session in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Ben Monroe at 120 pounds and Logan Neils at 160, who are both ranked sixth at their respective weights, each won by a major decision in the first round. Four of their teammates then won … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance duo to quarterfinals; 4 others alive in consolation bracket
Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson advance to Friday’s quarterfinals
Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall didn't want to spend too much time on the mat on Thursday afternoon. Thanks to strong performances by Caleb Rathjen and Spencer Anderson, he didn't have to. Both of Ankeny's state qualifiers won their first-round matches in the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena, allowing Wignall to spend the rest of the … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson advance to Friday’s quarterfinals
Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state
Ankeny Centennial's eight state wrestling qualifiers aren't content with just making it to Wells Fargo Arena. Neither are the two qualifiers from Ankeny High School. "We're happy that we qualified, but we're not satisfied," said Centennial coach Jay Groth, whose team advanced the most wrestlers in the five-year history of the school. "We want to get up … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lizzy Johnson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
Junior Lizzy Johnson of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Johnson has helped the Jaguars to an 18-3 record and a No. 5 ranking in Class 5A. She is averaging 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per game heading into postseason play. Johnson is also a standout on the Centennial girls' soccer … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lizzy Johnson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
Hot-shooting Johnston hands Jaguars their 3rd straight loss
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team appears to have solved some of its recent offensive woes. Now, the Jaguars may have to focus on the defensive end of the court. Johnston made 11 3-point goals in the first three quarters and went on to post a 68-57 victory in a CIML non-conference game on Tuesday, handing the visiting Jaguars … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Johnston hands Jaguars their 3rd straight loss
Carlson’s late 3-point goal lifts Hawks to win over Lincoln
When the Ankeny boys' basketball team needed a bucket on Tuesday night, the Hawks got the rock in the hands of Dillon Carlson. The junior sharpshooter responded to the challenge nearly every time. After scoring a basket at the end of the first and second quarters, Carlson saved his most dramatic buzzer-beater for last. He made a 3-point goal with about … [Read more...] about Carlson’s late 3-point goal lifts Hawks to win over Lincoln
Season ends for Ankeny bowlers with ‘off night’ at district tourney
The Ankeny bowling teams picked a bad time to have an off night. Ankeny traveled to Marshalltown on Tuesday to compete in a Class 3A district tournament at Wayward Social. The Hawks placed third among four boys' teams with a 2,758 total, while the Hawkettes finished fourth in the girls' field with a 2,315. Neither squad qualified for next week's state … [Read more...] about Season ends for Ankeny bowlers with ‘off night’ at district tourney
Ankeny bowling teams seek berth to state tournament
The Ankeny bowling teams will face some strong competition in a Class 3A district tournament on Tuesday at Wayward Social in Marshalltown. Johnston, Linn-Mar (Marion) and Marshalltown will be the other teams in the field. The action gets under way at 1 p.m. Johnston is the defending girls' state champion in Class 3A. Three of the top six bowlers are … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams seek berth to state tournament
Ex-Ankeny star Huston inducted into Iowa Swimming Hall of Fame
When Kiel Huston was a young athlete, he never dreamed that he would eventually become a Hall of Fame swimmer. "Not for a second," he said. "I remember in age-group swimming, I was never the best. But just over the years through practice and coaching and hard work, I had the opportunity to have a really good career." Huston went on to become a … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny star Huston inducted into Iowa Swimming Hall of Fame
Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Collin Runyan and Sydney Sears, Ankeny bowling
Collin Runyan and Sydney Sears are the Ankeny Fanatic preps of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The seniors are both members of the Ankeny bowling teams. Sears has led the Ankeny girls' squad to a 5-5 dual-meet record. She placed fourth in the CIML Central Conference meet on Thursday at Great Escape and is ranked 14th in the state among all … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Collin Runyan and Sydney Sears, Ankeny bowling