The football pipeline from Ankeny to Pella will continue for awhile longer. Ankeny Centennial linebacker Desmond Vaughan has committed to play for Central College in the fall. He revealed his decision on Friday via Twitter. "Excited to announce my commitment to play football at Central College!@CUI_Football," Vaughan tweeted. Vaughan will become the … [Read more...] about Centennial linebacker Vaughan to play football at Central College
Archives for April 2020
Ankeny, Dowling share No. 1 spot in Gazette’s offseason football rankings
The expectations for the Ankeny football team in the 2020 season were already going to be high. Now, they might be going through the roof. Ankeny has earned a co-No. 1 ranking along with seven-time defending state champion Dowling Catholic in Class 4A in the Cedar Rapids Gazette's offseason rankings. Both teams scored 54 poll points from a panel of six … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Dowling share No. 1 spot in Gazette’s offseason football rankings
Updated schedule provides glimmer of hope for spring sport athletes, coaches
A glimmer of hope arrived earlier this week for Will Blevins, Jaci Webb and the rest of the spring sport athletes throughout the state of Iowa. On Monday, an updated schedule for spring sports was released in a joint statement from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association. All spring activities had … [Read more...] about Updated schedule provides glimmer of hope for spring sport athletes, coaches
COVID-19 outbreak disrupts Brandt’s rookie season with OL Reign in NWSL
Don't be surprised to see Meg Brandt kicking a soccer ball around the yard at her parents' home in Ankeny. The budding professional women's soccer player has nowhere else to go during the global pandemic. Brandt, a former Ankeny Centennial and Nebraska star, was in training camp with OL Reign of the National Women's Soccer League when the coronavirus … [Read more...] about COVID-19 outbreak disrupts Brandt’s rookie season with OL Reign in NWSL
‘It’s in the back of my head’: Campbell’s Cowan looks ahead to 2021 MLB draft
A month ago, Cam Cowan was likely putting himself in position to be selected in the 2020 Major League Baseball amateur draft. Now, it appears that the former Ankeny Centennial pitcher will have to wait at least another year to accomplish that goal. "I've thought about (being drafted)," said Cowan, a junior righthander on the Campbell University … [Read more...] about ‘It’s in the back of my head’: Campbell’s Cowan looks ahead to 2021 MLB draft
Centennial soccer player Hall decides to join women’s rowing team at Iowa
Jaecee Hall wasn't ready to give up her athletic career. An opportunity to join the University of Iowa women's rowing team was just what she needed. The Ankeny Centennial soccer player committed on Monday to become a member of the Hawkeyes' program in the fall. "I'm a super competitive person, and I didn't want to stop playing sports," said Hall. "I … [Read more...] about Centennial soccer player Hall decides to join women’s rowing team at Iowa
Ankeny’s Juhl commits to play baseball next year at Simpson College
It remains to be seen if the Ankeny baseball team will have a season this summer. At least senior Lucas Juhl knows where he'll be playing next year. Juhl has committed to play for Simpson College. He revealed his decision on Monday via Twitter. "I'm excited to announce my commitment to Simpson College to continue my academic and baseball career," … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Juhl commits to play baseball next year at Simpson College
There are lots of coronavirus stories; Here’s mine about March Sadness
I was supposed to be in the ATL right now. Specifically, I should have been strolling around Centennial Olympic Park on Sunday night with my good buddy Tony Rhoads, drinking a Blue Moon and taking in a free Taylor Swift concert as part of the March Madness Music Festival. But no, I'm experiencing March Sadness instead. I'm holed up in my house with the … [Read more...] about There are lots of coronavirus stories; Here’s mine about March Sadness
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis
Senior Cade Davis is the top returning player for the Ankeny boys' tennis team. The Wartburg recruit was the squad's No. 1 singles player as a junior, helping the Hawks to a 3-9 record. Davis was also a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks captured the Class 4A state title last month. Here is some inside info on Davis: We've had … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis
‘It was just over with out of thin air’: Strait recalls abrupt end to Bulldogs’ season
Hunter Strait struggles to keep busy as he sits in his mother's house in Cedar Rapids. "There's not a lot to do," he said. Like many Americans, Strait's life came to a screeching halt last month with the spread of the coronavirus. The former Ankeny Centennial basketball star was traveling to Indianapolis with his Truman State teammates on March 12 … [Read more...] about ‘It was just over with out of thin air’: Strait recalls abrupt end to Bulldogs’ season
Ankeny’s Brown promoted to head men’s soccer coach at William Penn
Ankeny girls' soccer coach Simon Brown has been promoted to head men's soccer coach at William Penn University, where he had been the associate head men's and women's coach for the last three years. Brown, who led the Hawkettes to the Class 3A state title in his first season last year, said he hopes to keep both coaching jobs for a long time. "There's … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Brown promoted to head men’s soccer coach at William Penn
Centennial’s Vincent to play soccer, study architecture at Drury University
Ankeny Centennial senior Cole Vincent didn't think he'd be able to play soccer at the collegiate level. He was wrong. Vincent has committed to play for Drury University, an NCAA Division II school located in Springfield, Mo. "Growing up I've always wanted to pursue a career as an architect," said Vincent. "This made playing college soccer difficult … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Vincent to play soccer, study architecture at Drury University
After missing entire season, Kasperbauer commits to play for Northern Michigan
Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Connor Kasperbauer has found a new home in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Kasperbauer, a redshirt sophomore guard at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, has committed to play for Northern Michigan. NMU is an NCAA Division II school located in Marquette, Mich. "I just liked the coach (Matt … [Read more...] about After missing entire season, Kasperbauer commits to play for Northern Michigan
Iowa’s Doocy, Florida’s Lindaman planning to return for 2021 season
March 12 was a day that Allison Doocy will never forget. Kendyl Lindaman likely won't, either. Both former Ankeny softball stars were in the state of Florida on that Thursday when they found out that their season had been cancelled by the NCAA due to the coronavirus. Lindaman and her Florida teammates were preparing for a weekend series against Baylor … [Read more...] about Iowa’s Doocy, Florida’s Lindaman planning to return for 2021 season
Brecht earns Preseason all-American honors from Rawlings, Perfect Game
Ankeny junior Brody Brecht has received a prestigious honor on the baseball field, even though it appears that football will be his future sport. Brecht, who recently announced that he will choose between scholarship offers from the Iowa and Iowa State football programs, has been named a third team Preseason Underclass all-American as an outfielder. The … [Read more...] about Brecht earns Preseason all-American honors from Rawlings, Perfect Game