Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Archives for July 2020

‘It’s the best feeling ever’: Jaguars earn trip to Fort Dodge, will play No. 4 Waukee

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Ella Schulz watched from behind home plate as her teammate, second baseman Anna Christiansen, fielded a ground ball and threw to first for the final out of Tuesday's Class 5A regional final. The two juniors then raced toward each other and embraced as the Ankeny Centennial softball team advanced to the state tournament for the first time ever with a 10-5 … [Read more...] about ‘It’s the best feeling ever’: Jaguars earn trip to Fort Dodge, will play No. 4 Waukee

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Eliot Alberhasky, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Junior Eliot Alberhasky is a member of the eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team. He helped the Jaguars to a 14-12 record this season. Alberhasky compiled a 2-2 mark on the mound with a 4.85 ERA. He limited opposing batters to a .178 average. Alberhasky posted wins over Marshalltown on June 19 and Valley on June 26. He allowed no earned runs … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Eliot Alberhasky, Ankeny Centennial baseball

Jaguars outslug Urbandale, advance to state for first time in school history

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Many of the Ankeny Centennial softball players have been dreaming of playing in the state tournament their whole lives. Lizzy Klunder thought she was dreaming again on Tuesday night. Klunder hit a two-run homer to break a 1-1 tie and later added an RBI single to lead the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 10-5 victory over visiting CIML rival Urbandale in a … [Read more...] about Jaguars outslug Urbandale, advance to state for first time in school history

‘I love those guys with all my heart’: Centennial seniors bow out with 5-3 loss

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team tried to keep its season alive with a dramatic seventh-inning rally. Trailing 5-2 against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Monday, the eighth-ranked Jaguars loaded the bases with one out against Roughriders reliever Will Armstrong. "I was so proud of our guys," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘I love those guys with all my heart’: Centennial seniors bow out with 5-3 loss

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ella Schulz, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Junior catcher Ella Schulz went 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI to help the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 12-2 victory over visiting Cedar Falls in six innings in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. The Jaguars (20-8) will host Urbandale (10-17) in the regional final on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Schulz is now batting .546 and leads … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ella Schulz, Ankeny Centennial softball

S.E. Polk overcomes Johnson’s monster game, ends Hawkettes’ season at 19-11

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The Ankeny softball team had the right batter at the plate on Saturday with the Hawkettes' season on the line. Trailing by three runs on its home field, 14th-ranked Ankeny loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh inning against Southeast Polk in a Class 5A regional semifinal. Stepping into the batter's box was Marina Carter, the Hawkettes' junior … [Read more...] about S.E. Polk overcomes Johnson’s monster game, ends Hawkettes’ season at 19-11

Jaguars erupt for 8 runs in 5th inning, roll past Cedar Falls in regional semifinal

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team is just one win away from a trip to Fort Dodge. The sixth-ranked Jaguars erupted for eight runs in the fifth inning to break a 2-2 tie and went on to defeat visiting Cedar Falls, 12-2, in six innings in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. Centennial (20-8) will host CIML rival Urbandale (10-17) in the regional … [Read more...] about Jaguars erupt for 8 runs in 5th inning, roll past Cedar Falls in regional semifinal

Morris mows down Ottumwa; Jaguars will host semifinal against Roosevelt next

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It took only two batters for the Ottumwa baseball team to jump out to an early lead in Friday's Class 4A substate game at Ankeny Centennial. If the Bulldogs thought they had solved Centennial pitcher Trey Morris, they were wrong. Morris recovered after a shaky start and tossed a three-hitter to lead the eighth-ranked Jaguars to a 5-1 victory. He racked … [Read more...] about Morris mows down Ottumwa; Jaguars will host semifinal against Roosevelt next

TREY-MENDOUS!

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Trey Morris tossed a three-hitter and had 14 strikeouts to lead the eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 5-1 victory over visiting Ottumwa in the opening round of a Class 4A substate tournament on Friday. Morris allowed an RBI double by Mitch Wood in the first inning, but then struck out the next six batters and retired 11 in a row before … [Read more...] about TREY-MENDOUS!

Ankeny’s Christmann to play soccer at Wartburg College

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The Ankeny connection to the Wartburg women's soccer program continues to grow. Ankeny midfielder Rachael Christmann, who helped the Hawkettes to the Class 3A state title in 2019, has committed to play for the Knights. She will join the Division III program in 2021. When Christmann took an overnight visit to Waverly, she stayed with current Wartburg … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Christmann to play soccer at Wartburg College

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lucas Juhl, Ankeny baseball

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Senior third baseman Lucas Juhl is a member of the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team. He has helped the Hawks to an 18-8 record. Juhl has played in 23 of the 26 games with 15 starts. He will play for Simpson College next year. "Lucas always has a team-focused approach," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "He knows that his role as a defensive specialist … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lucas Juhl, Ankeny baseball

‘That was a big-time comeback’: 5-run 7th inning allows Hawks to salvage split

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The Ankeny baseball team appeared to be on its way to a doubleheader loss on Monday that would have stifled the Hawks' momentum heading into postseason play. Visiting Valley was three outs away from completing a sweep before second-ranked Ankeny rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to post a dramatic 7-6 victory. "That was a … [Read more...] about ‘That was a big-time comeback’: 5-run 7th inning allows Hawks to salvage split

Indiana State’s Sharar to transfer to Minnesota State-Mankato

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Former Ankeny soccer standout Olivia Sharar is coming home. Well, sort of. The Indiana State midfielder has decided to transfer to Minnesota State-Mankato in order to be closer to her family. "Some people might hate being close to home, but I personally love it here," said Sharar. "I also just felt that (Indiana State) just wasn't where I belonged … [Read more...] about Indiana State’s Sharar to transfer to Minnesota State-Mankato

‘I trust my defense’: Billings hurls 3-hitter as Hawkettes earn split against Valley

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If Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham was still undecided about his pitching plans for the postseason, Monday's doubleheader against defending Class 5A state champion Valley may have helped him come to a decision. Sophomore Ashtyn Billings tossed a three-hitter in the nightcap as the 15th-ranked Hawkettes salvaged a split of the twinbill with a 1-0 … [Read more...] about ‘I trust my defense’: Billings hurls 3-hitter as Hawkettes earn split against Valley

Ankeny, Centennial athletes compete at Iowa Track and Field Carnival

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There's nothing that could replace having your entire track and field season wiped out by a global pandemic. But Mike Jay wanted to at least try something. Jay, the lead PA announcer for the Drake Relays and the high school state meet, organized a track and field meet for those Iowans who wanted an opportunity to compete after losing their season to … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial athletes compete at Iowa Track and Field Carnival

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Vermeer, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Senior catcher Ryan Vermeer has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 13-11 record. He went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs as the Jaguars closed out the regular season on Friday by sweeping a doubleheader against visiting Ames. Vermeer, who is batting .194 with three doubles and nine RBIs, is a two-time all-conference first-team … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Vermeer, Ankeny Centennial baseball

No. 6 Jaguars celebrate Senior Night sweep with tears of joy–and sadness

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There were tears of joy on Friday night at the Ankeny Centennial softball field. Tears of sadness flowed, too. The sixth-ranked Jaguars celebrated their Senior Night with a doubleheader sweep over visiting Ames. They posted a 4-3 victory in eight innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 10-3 triumph. Afterwards, the team's six seniors … [Read more...] about No. 6 Jaguars celebrate Senior Night sweep with tears of joy–and sadness

‘Exactly what I needed’: Morris tunes up for postseason with 1-hitter against Ames

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A 60-pitch tuneup was just what Ankeny Centennial senior Trey Morris needed to get ready for the postseason. Morris tossed a one-hitter and had five strikeouts to lead the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 10-0 victory over visiting Ames in five innings in the first game of a CIML baseball doubleheader on Friday. He also went 2-for-2 at the plate and drove in two … [Read more...] about ‘Exactly what I needed’: Morris tunes up for postseason with 1-hitter against Ames