Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Archives for January 2021

Ankeny’s Cox chooses track over other sports, commits to Western Illinois

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Ankeny senior Cooper Cox could have elected to play baseball in college. Football was another option. But in the end, it was a different sport that Cox decided to focus on. He has verbally committed to join the Western Illinois men's track and field program, announcing his decision via Twitter on Friday. "When I first started the recruiting … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Cox chooses track over other sports, commits to Western Illinois

Centennial boys outlast Hawks in seesaw battle, clinch share of league crown

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It's a good bet that the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team will be practicing its free throws before Tuesday's game against second-ranked Waukee. The No. 4 Jaguars nearly let Friday's game at Ankeny slip away due to some poor free-throw shooting. They missed all seven of their attempts in the third quarter, which allowed the Hawks to rally from a … [Read more...] about Centennial boys outlast Hawks in seesaw battle, clinch share of league crown

Jaguars hold off Ankeny’s upset bid, clinch share of Iowa Conference title

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team was in position on Friday to knock off crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial for the first time ever. But a pair of 3-point shots, one in the third quarter that would have put the Hawkettes ahead and another in the fourth that would have tied the game, bounced off the rim. Fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial then pulled away in … [Read more...] about Jaguars hold off Ankeny’s upset bid, clinch share of Iowa Conference title

Centennial wrestlers capture Iowa Conference crown on Wells’ pin

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There was a lot at stake when Ankeny Centennial's Jackie Wells and Ankeny's Will Hinrichs took the mat for the championship match at 195 pounds in the CIML Iowa Conference wrestling tournament on Friday night. Wells didn't know it, but the outcome of the whole tournament was on the line. The Centennial senior got a pin in 3 minutes 35 seconds, allowing … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers capture Iowa Conference crown on Wells’ pin

4A postseason assignments announced: Hawks, Jaguars face tough draws

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The road to the state tournament will be a tough one for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams. The Class 4A postseason assignments were announced on Friday by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Fourth-ranked Centennial (9-1) has been placed in Substate No. 2, while Ankeny (6-5) has been placed in Substate No. 8. Both … [Read more...] about 4A postseason assignments announced: Hawks, Jaguars face tough draws

Ankeny girls’ bowling team posts season-high score to snap losing skid

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A season-high score allowed the Ankeny girls' bowling team to snap its losing streak on Thursday. The visiting Hawkettes defeated Marshalltown by a score of 2,778 to 2,353 in a CIML Iowa Conference dual meet at Wayward Social. They eclipsed their previous high score by 245 pins. Ankeny improved its records to 2-0 in the conference and 6-2 overall. The … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ bowling team posts season-high score to snap losing skid

Hawks’ confidence grows with impressive road victory over Dowling Catholic

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team won't be lacking confidence heading into Friday's showdown against fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial. The Hawks are coming off an impressive 61-46 victory at Dowling Catholic in a non-conference game on Thursday. They raised their record to 6-5 on the season, while the Maroons dropped to 5-6. "When a young team gets … [Read more...] about Hawks’ confidence grows with impressive road victory over Dowling Catholic

Hawkettes begin difficult four-game stretch with 69-50 loss at No. 9 Dowling

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A four-game stretch over the next six days--all of them against ranked opponents--will severely challenge the Ankeny girls' basketball team. There won't be much time for the 13th-ranked Hawkettes to celebrate a huge win--or to hang their heads following a tough loss. That's why Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly said his team would quickly move on from … [Read more...] about Hawkettes begin difficult four-game stretch with 69-50 loss at No. 9 Dowling

‘His passing is a tragic loss’: Osborn motivated young people to be their best

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The loss of former Ankeny High School teacher, coach and administrator Scott Osborn has resonated throughout the entire community. Osborn passed away on Saturday after a three-year battle with ALS. He was 72 years old. "His passing is a tragic loss to all who knew him," said former Ankeny athletic director Fred Smith. During a 39-year career in the … [Read more...] about ‘His passing is a tragic loss’: Osborn motivated young people to be their best

Schumacher bowls career-best series of 489 in Hawks’ loss to Ottumwa

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The Ankeny boys' bowling team posted a season-high score on Wednesday at Great Escape. It still wasn't enough to stop the Hawks' losing streak. Visiting Ottumwa handed Ankeny its fifth consecutive loss, winning the non-conference dual meet by a score of 3,400 to 2,900. The Hawks dropped to 2-5 on the season. Ottumwa also won the girls' meet by a … [Read more...] about Schumacher bowls career-best series of 489 in Hawks’ loss to Ottumwa

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Chris Louis, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Chris Louis is a member of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. He has helped the fourth-ranked Jaguars to a 9-1 record. Louis is averaging 7.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high 16 points in Centennial's only loss at No. 5 Valley on Jan. 9. “Chris has provided us with an additional offensive threat," said … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Chris Louis, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball

Centennial’s Neal to play football at Wartburg College

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Defensive lineman Griffin Neal was one of the most consistent players on the Ankeny Centennial football team last fall. His performance led to an opportunity to play at the next level. Neal has verbally committed to join the Wartburg College football program. "I looked at a few schools other than Wartburg, but Wartburg just caught my attention a lot … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Neal to play football at Wartburg College

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ cross country team

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During his long tenure as the Ankeny boys' cross country coach, Steve Arneson guided dozens of runners to an appearance in the state meet. Ankeny qualified for state for 22 consecutive years from 1990-2011, the third-longest streak in state history. Only Cedar Falls (1992-2016) and Monticello (1997-2019) have had longer streaks. Arneson coached the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ cross country team

Hawks defend their Dave Ewing Duals title on Jace Anderson’s win in OT

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Jace Anderson picked a good time to make his return to the wrestling mat. The Ankeny sophomore won all three of his matches on Saturday at the Dave Ewing Duals, including a 7-5 overtime victory against Independence's Tyler Trumblee to give the Hawks a 35-32 win in the championship round of the tournament. "He hasn't been on the mat much (due to a … [Read more...] about Hawks defend their Dave Ewing Duals title on Jace Anderson’s win in OT

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jackie Pippett, Centennial girls’ basketball

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Senior forward Jackie Pippett has helped the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 9-1 record. She is averaging 8.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Pippett is shooting 58.2 percent from the field. She has made 94.1 percent of her free throws (16-of-17). Pippett scored a season-high 18 points in the Jaguars' 57-41 victory over … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jackie Pippett, Centennial girls’ basketball

‘We’ve put ourselves in a great spot’: Ankeny girls remain in title chase

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Saturday's win at Ames was one of the biggest of Abby Johnson's high school basketball career. It sets up an even bigger game for the Ankeny girls' squad on Friday. Johnson scored a career-high 20 points before fouling out to lead the 13th-ranked Hawkettes to a 66-55 victory in the CIML Iowa Conference matchup. They raised their records to 6-1 in the … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve put ourselves in a great spot’: Ankeny girls remain in title chase

Lipsey leads Little Cyclones past Ankeny boys, into tie for 2nd place

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Ames guard Tamin Lipsey showed on Saturday why he's considered one of the nation's top boys' basketball players in the Class of 2022. The junior poured in a game-high 23 points to lead the host Little Cyclones past Ankeny, 55-34, in a CIML Iowa Conference game. He also had four rebounds, four assists and two steals. "He's never (out of control), and … [Read more...] about Lipsey leads Little Cyclones past Ankeny boys, into tie for 2nd place

Five Centennial players score in double figures as Jaguars top Mason City

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team moved another step closer to the CIML Iowa Conference title with a 76-48 victory over visiting Mason City on Saturday. The win, coupled with Ames' triumph over Ankeny, gives the Jaguars a two-game lead in league play with only three contests remaining. They are now 7-0 in the conference and 9-1 overall. Ames … [Read more...] about Five Centennial players score in double figures as Jaguars top Mason City

‘I’d probably give us about a C’: Jaguars tie for 8th place at Ed Winger Invite

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Saturday wasn't a great day for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers. The Jaguars tied for eighth place among 20 teams in the prestigious Ed Winger Invitational at Urbandale. They finished with 87 points, equaling the total amassed by a Valley squad that Centennial defeated earlier this month, 51-24. "I'd probably give us about a C," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘I’d probably give us about a C’: Jaguars tie for 8th place at Ed Winger Invite