Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Archives for July 2020

Seniors lead the way as Jaguars pound Muscatine to end season in style

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The seniors on the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team were determined to go out in style. The outcome of Thursday's Class 5A consolation final against No. 8 Muscatine was never in doubt. Centennial scored in every inning and rolled to a 10-0 victory over the Muskies in five innings at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. The Jaguars (23-9) … [Read more...] about Seniors lead the way as Jaguars pound Muscatine to end season in style

‘We were not going to lose’: Jaguars roll past Muscatine to earn 3rd-place finish

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team closed out the best season in school history with a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. The sixth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 10-0 victory over No. 8 Muscatine in five innings in the consolation final on Thursday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. They finished with a 23-9 record, while Muscatine … [Read more...] about ‘We were not going to lose’: Jaguars roll past Muscatine to earn 3rd-place finish

STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz was tempted to pull his starting pitcher after the Hawks jumped out to a 4-0 lead against Pleasant Valley in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament on Wednesday night. Brody Brecht was even campaigning to come out of the game, because such a move would have allowed him to potentially return to the mound in … [Read more...] about STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

‘Our girls showed that they belonged’: Jaguars fall short against Fort Dodge

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Franie Burnett is looking forward to Thursday's Class 5A consolation final. The third-place game will give Burnett and her Ankeny Centennial softball teammates a chance to end their season with a victory at the state tournament. "I'm really glad we have another game," Burnett said after the sixth-ranked Jaguars lost to No. 1 Fort Dodge, 5-3, in the … [Read more...] about ‘Our girls showed that they belonged’: Jaguars fall short against Fort Dodge

Blimpie Sub of the Week: McKayla Doyle, Ankeny softball

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Junior catcher McKayla Doyle helped the Ankeny softball team to a 19-11 record this season. Doyle played in 17 games and made nine starts while backing up the team's No. 1 catcher, Cassie Johnson. She batted .368 with two doubles and four RBIs. "McKayla is unselfish and has showed up and done the work since seventh grade," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: McKayla Doyle, Ankeny softball

Monumental challenge awaits Centennial girls in Class 5A semifinals

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A thrilling win over fourth-ranked Waukee provided the Ankeny Centennial softball team with an opportunity to pull off an even bigger upset. The No. 6 Jaguars (22-8) will now meet No. 1 Fort Dodge (27-3) in the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. The game will be played on the Dodgers' home field at Harlan Rogers Park in … [Read more...] about Monumental challenge awaits Centennial girls in Class 5A semifinals

‘We’re hitting our stride’: Hawks’ bid for 3rd state title begins with Pleasant Valley

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Weston Fulk knew that this year's Ankeny baseball team had a chance to be special. The second-ranked Hawks are now just three wins away from completing a magical journey. Ankeny is making its second straight appearance in the Class 4A state tournament. The Hawks (19-8) will meet Pleasant Valley (13-11) in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at Principal … [Read more...] about ‘We’re hitting our stride’: Hawks’ bid for 3rd state title begins with Pleasant Valley

Revised football schedules announced: Hawks, Jaguars to meet Aug. 28

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The revised 2020 football schedules for both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have been announced. The Hawks and Jaguars will still open the season against each other on Aug. 28. Ankeny will be the home team. Both squads will play a seven-game regular season under the revised plan announced last week by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. All Class … [Read more...] about Revised football schedules announced: Hawks, Jaguars to meet Aug. 28

‘It was just a matter of when’: Centennial erupts for dramatic win over Waukee

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Ankeny Centennial runner Mackenzie James watched from third base as her teammate, Franie Burnett, swung and missed at a third strike during Monday's Class 5A quarterfinal against Waukee. Then James noticed the ball skip past Waukee catcher Natalie Wellet. The freshman raced home with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the sixth-ranked Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a matter of when’: Centennial erupts for dramatic win over Waukee

Jaguars stun No. 4 Waukee in their state tournament debut

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Ankeny Centennial's first trip to the state softball tournament has already been a memorable one. The sixth-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A semifinals with an improbable 5-2 victory over No. 4 Waukee on Monday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Down to its final five outs, Centennial rallied for five runs in the last two innings to erase a … [Read more...] about Jaguars stun No. 4 Waukee in their state tournament debut

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Smith, Ankeny baseball

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Junior second baseman Carter Smith has helped the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team to a 19-8 record. He went 1-for-3 and scored a run as the Hawks posted a 5-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. Smith is batting .302 with two doubles, one triple and 15 RBIs. He ranks second on the team with 25 runs … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Smith, Ankeny baseball

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ tennis team

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The Ankeny boys' tennis program dates back to the early 1970s. The biggest highlight for the Hawks over the last 50 years came nearly two decades ago. In 2003, head coach Dennis Hoefle guided Ankeny to the best season in school history. The Hawks advanced to the state team tournament for the first time ever and went on to capture the Class 2A … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ tennis team

‘No one can stop us’: Confident Jaguars ready for showdown against Waukee

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Madi Huisman is hoping to spend most of the upcoming week in Fort Dodge. Huisman and her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial softball squad aren't satisfied with just making it to the Class 5A state tournament. They want to win a trophy, too. "We're definitely going to win the state championship," Huisman said. Huisman tossed an eight-hitter to … [Read more...] about ‘No one can stop us’: Confident Jaguars ready for showdown against Waukee

IHSAA announces revised schedule for 2020 football season

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The Iowa High School Athletic Association has announced a revised schedule for the 2020 football season. The plan allows for member school adjustments due to COVID-19 and was approved by the Board of Control on Friday. The IHSAA plans to release further fall season and sport-specific guidance next week. Under the revised plan, a seven-week regular … [Read more...] about IHSAA announces revised schedule for 2020 football season

Hawks soar back to Principal Park, will face Pleasant Valley in 4A quarterfinals

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Mo Watson isn't taking this abbreviated baseball season for granted. The senior catcher hit an RBI single to ignite second-ranked Ankeny to a 5-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The Hawks (19-8) advanced to next week's state tournament for the second straight year. "It feels awesome," said Watson. … [Read more...] about Hawks soar back to Principal Park, will face Pleasant Valley in 4A quarterfinals