The pressure to qualify for the state tournament, especially when you're a highly-ranked team, can be overwhelming. After battling unranked Waterloo Schools to a scoreless tie in the first half of a Class 3A regional final on Monday, the members of the top-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer squad undoubtedly felt that pressure. Coach Chris Allen … [Read more...] about Big 2nd half sends Centennial girls back to state tourney
Archives for June 2018
Smith’s RBI double ignites Hawkettes to split against S.E. Polk
Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good. Ankeny's Regan Smith failed to get down a sacrifice bunt during the seventh inning of a tie softball game on Monday at Southeast Polk. The sophomore catcher then hit an RBI double for the go-ahead run on the next pitch, igniting the 13th-ranked Hawkettes to a 6-5 victory in the first game of a CIML Central … [Read more...] about Smith’s RBI double ignites Hawkettes to split against S.E. Polk
Hawkettes roll past Muscatine, earn another trip to state tourney
The Ankeny girls' soccer team didn't put a lot of emphasis on its opponent heading into Monday's regional final at Ankeny. It proved to be an effective strategy. The second-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 6-0 victory over No. 14 Muscatine to reach the state tournament for the second straight year. The Muskies finished with an 11-7 record. "I think we … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Muscatine, earn another trip to state tourney
After 6-1 start, Hawkettes look to end state tournament drought
The Ankeny softball team hasn't qualified for the state tournament since 2015, when the Hawkettes placed seventh in Class 5A. This year's squad appears to have the talent to end that drought. "I think our depth has really been building," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "I feel like we're set up for something really special, and I think it's a product … [Read more...] about After 6-1 start, Hawkettes look to end state tournament drought
New Centennial softball coach wants Jaguars to ‘keep applying pressure’ on basepaths
For the first time since the 1990s, Randy Schneider is calling pitches from the dugout. The new head coach of the Ankeny Centennial softball team is enjoying his return to the high school game after spending most of his career in the collegiate ranks, where he was primarily an offensive coach. "I really haven't sat and called pitches in 20-some years," … [Read more...] about New Centennial softball coach wants Jaguars to ‘keep applying pressure’ on basepaths
Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Olivia Brown and Tori Ubben, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer
Senior defenders Olivia Brown and Tori Ubben have helped lead the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to a 16-2 record and a No. 1 ranking in Class 3A. They have both been named to the All-Iowa Elite team by The Des Moines Register. Brown, who has contributed two goals and four assists, will play for Nebraska next year. Ubben has signed to play for … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Olivia Brown and Tori Ubben, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer
Hawks, Jaguars each win twice at Tim Heggen Invitational
Saturday was a good day for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial baseball teams as both squads won a pair of games in the Tim Heggen Invitational at Ankeny. The Hawks rolled to a 9-1 victory over North Polk, the No. 10 team in Class 3A. They later defeated Davenport North, 5-4, in nine innings to extend their winning streak to six games. The Jaguars also … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars each win twice at Tim Heggen Invitational
A FITTING FINALE: Hawk seniors go out with a thrilling win in double OT
Perhaps nobody had a bigger smile on his face Saturday than Dayne Kajewski. The injured senior on the Ankeny boys' soccer team carried the Class 3A third-place trophy after the sixth-ranked Hawks outlasted No. 5 Iowa City West, 4-3, in double overtime to win the consolation final at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. "I think I've been the loudest … [Read more...] about A FITTING FINALE: Hawk seniors go out with a thrilling win in double OT
Hawks suffer heartbreaking loss, will play for 3rd place on Saturday
Somehow, the Ankeny boys' soccer team will have to find a way to regroup. The sixth-ranked Hawks (16-5) will play No. 5 Iowa City West (18-4) for third place in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. after suffering a heartbreaking loss in Friday's semifinals at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. Ankeny built a 3-0 lead against No. 3 … [Read more...] about Hawks suffer heartbreaking loss, will play for 3rd place on Saturday
Jaguars sweep No. 9 Southeast Polk in Central Conference opener
The ninth-ranked Southeast Polk baseball team entered Friday's doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial with an impressive 6-0 record that included a win over No. 1 Johnston on Wednesday. The Rams returned home after suffering their first two losses of the season. Centennial posted a 4-2 victory in the completion of a game that was suspended on Tuesday due to … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep No. 9 Southeast Polk in Central Conference opener
Maifeld, Rinker hurl back-to-back gems in Hawks’ sweep over Ames
Ankeny pitcher Jayden Maifeld tossed a gem in the first game of a doubleheader against visiting Ames on Thursday. Then teammate Cameron Rinker threw another one in the nightcap, allowing the Hawks to sweep the CIML Central Conference opener. "It's fun to watch those two guys talk to each other. They kind of feed off each other," said Ankeny coach Joe … [Read more...] about Maifeld, Rinker hurl back-to-back gems in Hawks’ sweep over Ames
Unbeaten S.E. Polk holds off Centennial rally to sweep doubleheader
A late rally fell short, and the Ankeny Centennial softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against visiting Southeast Polk on Thursday. After Southeast Polk posted a 6-2 victory in the first game, the Rams built a 4-1 lead in the nightcap of the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams. The Jaguars then rallied for two runs in the bottom of … [Read more...] about Unbeaten S.E. Polk holds off Centennial rally to sweep doubleheader
Hawkettes roll past Clarke for 6th consecutive victory
The Ankeny softball team is on a roll. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes pounded out 16 hits and romped to a 10-3 victory over visiting Clarke (Osceola) in a matchup of 5-1 teams on Thursday at Ankeny. It was the sixth consecutive triumph for Ankeny, which is averaging 11 runs per game during its winning streak. "Overall, it was a good team performance," … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Clarke for 6th consecutive victory
Stockwell pitches gem, helps Jaguars earn split at Mason City
A strong pitching performance by Stefan Stockwell helped the Ankeny Centennial baseball team salvage a split of a doubleheader on Thursday at Mason City. Stockwell (1-0) allowed just four hits and had seven strikeouts over the first six innings as the Jaguars posted a 4-2 victory in the nightcap. Cory Prange struck out two of the three batters he faced in … [Read more...] about Stockwell pitches gem, helps Jaguars earn split at Mason City
‘Unlucky bounce’ ends Jaguars’ season in Class 3A quarterfinals
The cruel nature of soccer is that the ball doesn't always bounce your way. That was the case on Thursday for eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial, which suffered a 2-1 overtime loss to No. 5 Iowa City West in the Class 3A quarterfinals of the boys' state tournament at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. Micah Frisbie scored the game-winner for the Trojans … [Read more...] about ‘Unlucky bounce’ ends Jaguars’ season in Class 3A quarterfinals
Rally falls short; Centennial doubles team earns 6th-place finish
The Ankeny Centennial doubles team of Alyssa Lewton and Alli Gustafson nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback Thursday in the fifth-place match at the girls' Class 2A state tennis tournament in Iowa City. Dubuque Hempstead's Erin Connolly and Joyce Sun built a 6-4, 5-2 lead before Lewton and Gustafson rallied to win five consecutive games, tying the … [Read more...] about Rally falls short; Centennial doubles team earns 6th-place finish
Hawks stun No. 2 C.R. Prairie, will play Bettendorf in Friday’s semifinals
If the Ankeny boys' soccer team was supposed to be an underdog, the Hawks didn't play like one. Peter Gaspari scored the go-ahead goal in the 55th minute, Kolby Raineri added two late goals to seal the outcome, and sixth-ranked Ankeny stunned No. 2 Cedar Rapids Prairie, 3-0, in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament on Thursday at Cownie … [Read more...] about Hawks stun No. 2 C.R. Prairie, will play Bettendorf in Friday’s semifinals