Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for March 2018

Jaguars post 2nd-fastest time in school history in distance medley relay

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team raced to a pair of impressive victories at the Waukee Early Bird Invitational on Friday. The Jaguars easily won the distance medley relay by more than 10 seconds. The foursome of Avery Gates, Josh Decker, Brendan Hoy and Camden Cox was clocked in 3:35.96, the second-fastest time in school history. Centennial's … [Read more...] about Jaguars post 2nd-fastest time in school history in distance medley relay

Loaded Centennial girls’ soccer team earns No. 4 preseason ranking

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There's at least a dozen reasons why the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team is ranked fourth in the Class 3A preseason rankings by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. That's how many Jaguars have already committed to play soccer at the collegiate level. Several of them are headed to Division I schools, and they're also the foundation of … [Read more...] about Loaded Centennial girls’ soccer team earns No. 4 preseason ranking

Jaguars win 9 events, Hawks take 3 at Ram Invitational

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team had nine first-place finishes and Ankeny added three more in the Ram Invitational on Tuesday at Southeast Polk. The Jaguars won five of the seven relays and placed second in the other two. They were originally slated to compete at Nevada, but that meet was cancelled. "We were fortunate Southeast Polk allowed us to … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 9 events, Hawks take 3 at Ram Invitational

Ankeny girls’ tennis team to rely on multi-sport athletes

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Two of the best players on the Ankeny girls' tennis team spend most of their time focusing on other sports. Senior Alexis Legg also plays for the Ankeny girls' soccer squad during the spring. She will play that sport in college at Augustana (S.D.). "(Legg) has so much to balance," said Ankeny girls' tennis coach Katie Owens. "But she is awesome at … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ tennis team to rely on multi-sport athletes

Ankeny’s Flatness, Robran earn runner-up finishes at Waukee Early Bird Invite

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When the Johnston Invitational girls' track meet was cancelled on Tuesday, Ankeny Centennial coach Andrew Kruzich went looking for another meet that had room for the Jaguars. Fortunately for Kruzich, the Waukee Early Bird Invitational came through with an open spot. That allowed the Jaguars and crosstown rival Ankeny to begin the outdoor season at the … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Flatness, Robran earn runner-up finishes at Waukee Early Bird Invite

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Hannah Watson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis

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Senior Hannah Watson of the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Watson and the Jaguars will open their season on April 3 at Urbandale. "Hannah has always been a great hustler and put forth a lot of effort over the years--on and off the court," said Centennial coach Emily Phommachack. … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Hannah Watson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis

Jaguars return 5 varsity regulars, led by state placewinner Lewton

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Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Emily Phommachack won't have any trouble filling the positions in her varsity lineup. Determining which girls to put in which spots, however, is going to be a challenging task. "As of Friday, I officially have 102 players out for the team--the most I've had in my 13 years of coaching," said Phommachack. "My goal … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 5 varsity regulars, led by state placewinner Lewton

‘Together We Soar’: Hawkettes look to blend talented newcomers with strong returning cast

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A year ago, Chloee Kooker was one of the state's most prolific offensive players, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the Ankeny girls' soccer team's goals. Kooker racked up 25 goals and nine assists while leading the Hawkettes to an 11-8 record. The Indiana State recruit was named to the Class 3A all-state second team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches … [Read more...] about ‘Together We Soar’: Hawkettes look to blend talented newcomers with strong returning cast

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Peter Gaspari, Ankeny boys’ soccer

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Peter Gaspari is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The senior is one of the top returnees for the Ankeny boys' soccer team. Gaspari scored a team-high seven goals and also had three assists last season, helping the Hawks to an 8-11 record. He received all-conference honorable mention. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Peter Gaspari, Ankeny boys’ soccer

Jaguars look to bounce back from their first losing season

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A run of three consecutive winning seasons came to an end last year for the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team, which struggled to a 4-7 record during a rebuilding campaign. Now, Centennial coach Tami Lewton is hoping for a bounce-back year in 2018. "We are really hoping to improve on our record from last season," Lewton said. "We graduated a ton of … [Read more...] about Jaguars look to bounce back from their first losing season

New team, but same goal for Centennial boys’ soccer coach

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Brian Duax still wants to win a state championship. Now, he'll be trying to accomplish that goal at Ankeny Centennial. The former Ankeny boys' soccer coach moved across town last summer to take over the Jaguars' program. He inherits a team that posted a 12-6 record a year ago, including a 2-3 mark in the CIML Central Conference. "The goals are … [Read more...] about New team, but same goal for Centennial boys’ soccer coach

State cross country champ Sindt will return to the track in April

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  The health of junior Tim Sindt could go a long way in determining the success of the Ankeny boys' track team. Sindt, one of the state's top distance runners, won a Class 4A cross country title last fall. But he underwent surgery last month for a heart problem and has yet to compete this spring. "I had something called … [Read more...] about State cross country champ Sindt will return to the track in April

Smith sprints to victory at Johnston Early Bird Invitational

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Ankeny Centennial's Ryan VanBaale isn't the only talented sprinter from Ankeny. Crosstown rival Ankeny High School also has a speedster in the form of junior Max Smith, who won the 100-meter dash at the Johnston Early Bird Invitational on Thursday. Smith crossed the finish line in 11.54 seconds to provide the Hawks' lone victory of the night in their … [Read more...] about Smith sprints to victory at Johnston Early Bird Invitational

Hawks look to build upon last year’s 6-6 record

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The Ankeny boys' tennis program has gradually improved since the split into two high schools five years ago. After going winless in 2014 and 2015, the Hawks posted three victories in 2016 before finishing with a 6-6 record last year, including a 2-3 mark in the CIML Central Conference. Six varsity regulars are back for coach Randy Daniels, who was named … [Read more...] about Hawks look to build upon last year’s 6-6 record

Iowa State Hall of Famer Gibson never played for individual accolades

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As a redshirt freshman on the Iowa State football team in the 1980s, Dennis Gibson once walked away from the practice field, determined to never play the sport again. The former Ankeny standout was a 6-foot-2, 195-pound linebacker on the Cyclones' scout team. One day, he was moved to nose guard, where he would have to battle in the trenches against Iowa … [Read more...] about Iowa State Hall of Famer Gibson never played for individual accolades

Hawks, Jaguars to meet in 2018-19 football season openers

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial football teams already knew that they would be playing each other this fall. Now, the crosstown rivals know the exact date. Schedules for the 2018 and 2019 seasons have been released by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The Hawks and Jaguars will meet in the season opener in each of the next two … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars to meet in 2018-19 football season openers

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Eva van de Mortel, Ankeny girls’ track

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Eva van de Mortel of the Ankeny girls' track team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. The freshman was called upon in the first high school meet of her career to sub for an injured runner in the 4x200 relay at the Wartburg Indoor Meet on Feb. 27. She helped the Hawkettes to a second-place finish. "Her reply was, 'Absolutely! I'm … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Eva van de Mortel, Ankeny girls’ track