Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for November 2018

Sindt chooses Iowa State over Arkansas, Oregon and Drake

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Like most high school athletes these days, Ankeny runner Tim Sindt announced his college choice Monday through social media. "Extremely excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic, track, and cross country career at Iowa State University next fall! Go Cyclones," Sindt tweeted. Sindt won his second consecutive Class 4A state cross country … [Read more...] about Sindt chooses Iowa State over Arkansas, Oregon and Drake

‘All the hard work is finally paying off’ for Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer

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It didn't take long for Connor Kasperbauer to find his shooting rhythm after sitting out last season. The former Ankeny Centennial star poured in 30 points to lead the Kirkwood Community College men's basketball team to a 96-64 victory over Morton College on Saturday at Cicero, Ill. He made 9-of-14 shots, including 8-of-12 from 3-point range. "I just … [Read more...] about ‘All the hard work is finally paying off’ for Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer

Lindaman named Class 4A At Large Coach of the Year

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Ankeny boys' cross country coach Jon Lindaman has been named a Class 4A At Large Coach of the Year by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. Lindaman guided Ankeny to a fifth-place finish in the Class 4A state meet on Oct. 27 at Fort Dodge. It was the Hawks' highest finish since 2005. Lindaman also played a key role in the development of senior Tim … [Read more...] about Lindaman named Class 4A At Large Coach of the Year

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Riley Morgan, Centennial volleyball

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Senior setter Riley Morgan helped the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team to its fourth state championship in five years last week at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. She dished out 34 assists as the second-ranked Jaguars swept No. 1 Cedar Falls in the Class 5A title match on Friday. Morgan finished her career with more than 1,000 assists, … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Riley Morgan, Centennial volleyball

Riordan’s 30-footer forces OT, but Simpson drops season opener

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Conor Riordan is still making big buckets. The former Ankeny star hit a 30-foot jumper at the end of regulation to force overtime in Simpson's season opener against Bethany Lutheran on Saturday at Indianola. His heroics weren't enough, though, as the Vikings eventually prevailed, 103-100. Riordan, a junior guard, poured in a game-high 35 points. He … [Read more...] about Riordan’s 30-footer forces OT, but Simpson drops season opener

Knights fall to UW-La Crosse, finish season at 13-6-1

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Emily Fontana has no regrets about her decision to transfer to Wartburg College. The former Ankeny Centennial soccer standout played the final game of her sophomore season on Saturday, when the Knights dropped a 2-0 decision at 23rd-ranked University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament. The midfielder transferred … [Read more...] about Knights fall to UW-La Crosse, finish season at 13-6-1

Gray’s goal seals Gophers’ 2-0 victory at Auburn in NCAA opener

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Megan Gray's freshman season just keeps getting better and better. The former Ankeny Centennial soccer standout scored a goal in the 80th minute to help seal Minnesota's 2-0 victory at Auburn in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. The Gophers (12-8-2) converted on a pair of set pieces to earn their first postseason road win in program … [Read more...] about Gray’s goal seals Gophers’ 2-0 victory at Auburn in NCAA opener

BACK ON TOP: Jaguars dethrone Cedar Falls for their 4th state title

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The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team was not at full strength when the Jaguars lost to Cedar Falls at the Centennial Invitational on Aug. 25. The top-ranked Tigers discovered on Friday that one player can make a huge difference, especially when she's 6-foot-1 and can jump out of the gym. Devyn Robinson had 12 kills and three blocks to help the No. 2 … [Read more...] about BACK ON TOP: Jaguars dethrone Cedar Falls for their 4th state title

Sauer named all-tournament team captain for 2nd time in 3 years

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When Kenna Sauer was a sophomore in 2016, she enjoyed a dream season for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team, earning all-tournament team captain honors after leading the Jaguars to the Class 5A state title. Sauer may have topped herself on Friday. The senior outside hitter smashed a kill from the left side to give second-ranked Centennial its fourth … [Read more...] about Sauer named all-tournament team captain for 2nd time in 3 years

The numbers behind Centennial’s stunning sweep over No. 1 Cedar Falls

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How did the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team pull off a stunning sweep in the Class 5A championship match against top-ranked Cedar Falls, which had dropped only two sets all year and entered the final with a 75-match winning streak? The numbers tell part of the story: * The Jaguars outhit Cedar Falls by a .266 to .168 margin. Both teams racked up 42 … [Read more...] about The numbers behind Centennial’s stunning sweep over No. 1 Cedar Falls

Jaguars outlast Valley in epic five-set semifinal thriller

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The jubilant voices of Ankeny Centennial volleyball players Devyn Robinson and Kenna Sauer could be heard in the bowels of the U.S. Cellular Center long before the duo entered the media interview room on Thursday at the state tournament in Cedar Rapids. When Robinson and Sauer finally made their entrance along with Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart, all … [Read more...] about Jaguars outlast Valley in epic five-set semifinal thriller

Jaguars hold off Dowling Catholic, earn rematch against No. 3 Valley

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There was no panic in the huddle after the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team lost to Dowling Catholic in Set 3 of a Class 5A quarterfinal at the state tournament on Tuesday. The Jaguars knew what they had to do. "I think what we have that the other teams don't is that we all trust each other," said Centennial middle hitter Megan Lively. "We all knew … [Read more...] about Jaguars hold off Dowling Catholic, earn rematch against No. 3 Valley

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kenedy Balentine, Ankeny Centennial volleyball

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Senior Kenedy Balentine of the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Balentine has helped second-ranked Centennial to a 39-3 record and a sixth consecutive appearance in the state tournament. She had six digs to help the Jaguars to a victory over No. 7 Dowling Catholic in the Class 5A quarterfinals … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kenedy Balentine, Ankeny Centennial volleyball

Hawkettes fall to Valley for 4th time, finish season at 31-13

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The Ankeny volleyball team got off to a shaky start Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament. The Hawkettes never recovered. Third-ranked Valley jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the opening set and went on to post a 25-12, 25-17, 25-18 victory over No. 6 Ankeny at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. The Hawkettes finished the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes fall to Valley for 4th time, finish season at 31-13

Ankeny assistant Delaney named Centennial softball coach

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Brett Delaney took advantage of a second opportunity to apply for the head softball coaching position at Ankeny Centennial. This time, he got it. The Ankeny assistant has been named the Jaguars' head coach. His hiring was approved by the Ankeny School Board on Monday night. "I'm pretty excited," Delaney said. "It's been a fun process to go through, … [Read more...] about Ankeny assistant Delaney named Centennial softball coach

Pairings announced for Division I, II and III soccer tournaments

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Molly Close wasn't too worried when the Wartburg College women's soccer team lost to Loras, 3-2, in the championship game of the American Rivers Conference Tournament on Saturday. The former Ankeny standout thought the Knights would still receive an at-large berth to the NCAA Division III tournament, and she was right. Wartburg (13-5-1) received its … [Read more...] about Pairings announced for Division I, II and III soccer tournaments

Jaguars, Hawkettes ready for showdowns against WDM rivals

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The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial volleyball team will face a familiar opponent in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Tuesday. So will sixth-ranked Ankeny. The Jaguars (38-3) will play No. 7 Dowling Catholic (29-12) at noon on Court Two at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. The match will be followed by a showdown between … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes ready for showdowns against WDM rivals

Ballenger sparks Wayne State to victory over No. 6 Concordia St. Paul

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Ankeny High School's all-time kills leader has become an offensive force at the NCAA Division II volleyball level. Alyssa Ballenger pounded a career-high 18 kills to lead Wayne State College (Neb.) to a victory at sixth-ranked Concordia St. Paul on Saturday at the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul. The sophomore outside hitter racked up a .472 hitting … [Read more...] about Ballenger sparks Wayne State to victory over No. 6 Concordia St. Paul