Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz challenged his team after the Hawks lost to visiting Urbandale, 4-1, in the first game of a season-opening doubleheader on Monday. The Hawks then responded with a 12-3 victory in the nightcap to earn a split. "I wanted our guys to have a better approach at the plate, and we were able to put some pressure on them with … [Read more...] about It’s a draw: No. 1 Ankeny, No. 2 Urbandale split season-opening doubleheader
Archives for May 2021
Leadoff hitter Murphy sparks Hawkettes to twinbill sweep over Urbandale
The job of a leadoff hitter is to get on base any way that you can. Ankeny softball standout Madeleine Murphy fills that role about as well as anybody in the CIML. Murphy got on base in six of her eight at-bats as the 13th-ranked Hawkettes opened the season on Monday by sweeping a non-conference doubleheader against visiting Urbandale. They posted a … [Read more...] about Leadoff hitter Murphy sparks Hawkettes to twinbill sweep over Urbandale
Hawks overcome disallowed goal for 1-0 victory over Ames in substate semifinal
One goal proved to be enough for the Ankeny boys' soccer team. Mason Yeatts scored in the first half and the 13th-ranked Hawks went on to defeat visiting Ames, 1-0, in a Class 3A substate semifinal on Monday. It was Ankeny's second consecutive victory over the Little Cyclones--the Hawks also won, 3-2, in a shootout on May 14 in what turned out to be their … [Read more...] about Hawks overcome disallowed goal for 1-0 victory over Ames in substate semifinal
Centennial boys use big 2nd half to beat S.E. Polk, earn shot at No. 1 Waukee
A dominant second half lifted the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team to a 5-0 victory over visiting Southeast Polk in a Class 3A substate semifinal on Monday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars scored all five of their goals after halftime to thwart Southeast Polk's upset bid. In 2019, the Rams posted a 1-0 win over Centennial in double overtime in a substate … [Read more...] about Centennial boys use big 2nd half to beat S.E. Polk, earn shot at No. 1 Waukee
‘The matches didn’t fall our way’: Jaguars drop 5-3 decision to Valley
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis squad was looking to advance to the final four of the Class 2A state team tournament for the first time ever. The Jaguars will have to wait at least another year to accomplish that goal. Visiting Valley broke a 3-3 tie by winning a pair of doubles matches and defeated Centennial, 5-3, in the Class 2A quarterfinals on … [Read more...] about ‘The matches didn’t fall our way’: Jaguars drop 5-3 decision to Valley
White leads the way as Centennial girls top S.E. Polk in regular-season finale
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team closed out the regular season on Monday with a 3-0 victory in a non-conference game at Southeast Polk. The fifth-ranked Jaguars improved to 15-2. They posted their 12th shutout of the year. "It was a really good team win," said Centennial coach Chris Allen. "Our pass accuracy has really started to improve which … [Read more...] about White leads the way as Centennial girls top S.E. Polk in regular-season finale
Webb shoots an 85, advances to state golf meet for 3rd time in her career
Ankeny senior Jaci Webb is headed to the girls' state golf meet for the third time in her high school career. And this time, she'll get to play on her home course. Webb carded an 85 to place fourth in a Class 4A regional meet on Monday at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. She advanced to the state meet, which is slated for June 1-2 at Otter Creek … [Read more...] about Webb shoots an 85, advances to state golf meet for 3rd time in her career
Loaded Ankeny baseball team looking to take one more step in 2021
When the Ankeny baseball team opens the season on Monday night by hosting a doubleheader against Urbandale, several major-league scouts are expected to be in attendance. They'll be watching the top two teams in Class 4A according to the Iowa Baseball Coaches Association's preseason rankings: Ankeny is No. 1 and Urbandale is No. 2. "This team is … [Read more...] about Loaded Ankeny baseball team looking to take one more step in 2021
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Shelby Romig, Ankeny girls’ track
Ankeny senior Shelby Romig won a state title in the long jump at the girls' Class 4A state track meet on Friday at Drake Stadium. She helped the Hawkettes to their highest finish overall since 1997. Romig also plays for the Ankeny softball team. The Hawkettes will host Urbandale in a season-opening doubleheader on Monday. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Shelby Romig, Ankeny girls’ track
‘Our program is in a really good spot’: Jaguars win SMR, place 3rd in Class 4A
Tommy Collins held the Class 4A third-place trophy high above his head as he stood on the track at Drake Stadium. Collins and his teammates on the Ankeny Centennial boys' track squad had accomplished one of their goals. "I'm just so proud of the team. It was one heck of a run," Collins said after the Jaguars earned a third-place finish in the state … [Read more...] about ‘Our program is in a really good spot’: Jaguars win SMR, place 3rd in Class 4A
‘I knew this would be a tough match’: Jaguars fall to Waukee in quarterfinals
Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis coach Tami Lewton knew it wasn't going to be easy for her team to avenge a 9-2 loss at Waukee on April 27. She was right. The Warriors posted a 5-1 victory over Centennial in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A state team tournament on Saturday at Ankeny. The Jaguars finished the season with a 9-5 dual record. "I knew … [Read more...] about ‘I knew this would be a tough match’: Jaguars fall to Waukee in quarterfinals
‘I knew it was really close’: State hurdles title eludes Thompson by .004 seconds
When he crossed the finish line at Drake Stadium on Saturday, Ankeny senior Mason Thompson wasn't sure if he had won a Class 4A state title in the 110 hurdles. Nobody else was sure, either. Thompson and the hurdler to his immediate right, Adam Wright of Dowling Catholic, leaned across the finish line simultaneously. "It was either mine or his," … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was really close’: State hurdles title eludes Thompson by .004 seconds
Jaguars advance to state, will host quarterfinal against Valley on Monday
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team cruised into the state tournament with a pair of shutout victories on Saturday at Ames. The Jaguars posted a 5-0 win over Des Moines Roosevelt in the semifinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament. They then followed with a 5-0 triumph over Ames in the final. Centennial (9-2) will host Valley in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance to state, will host quarterfinal against Valley on Monday
Hawkettes hold their own in 5-0 loss at Johnston in regional team tourney
Although the Ankeny girls' tennis team dropped a 5-0 decision at Johnston in the semifinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Saturday, the final score didn't tell the whole story. The Hawkettes got strong efforts from Anna Schmitz and Rachel Rolow in the loss, forcing Johnston to work hard to earn the victory. The Dragons then lost to Waukee, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold their own in 5-0 loss at Johnston in regional team tourney
Hawkettes tie for 4th in 4A, while Jaguars score most points in school history
The bar has been raised for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams. The Hawkettes tied for fourth place in the Class 4A state meet that concluded on Saturday at Drake Stadium. They finished with 40 points, matching Cedar Falls' total. It was Ankeny's highest finish since 1997, when the Hawkettes earned runner-up honors in Class 3A. "We … [Read more...] about Hawkettes tie for 4th in 4A, while Jaguars score most points in school history
Jaguars regroup at halftime for 3-1 win over Urbandale on Senior Night
It took awhile for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to find the net Friday during its Senior Night game against visiting Urbandale. After a scoreless first half, the fifth-ranked Jaguars took control in the second half and posted a 3-1 victory in the non-conference game. They improved to 14-2 on the season, while the J-Hawks' record dropped to … [Read more...] about Jaguars regroup at halftime for 3-1 win over Urbandale on Senior Night
‘I’m kind of at a loss for words’: Ankeny’s Romig leaps to long jump crown
For the second day in a row, the Ankeny girls' track team walked out of Drake Stadium with an individual state title. Senior Shelby Romig won the long jump at the Class 4A state meet on Friday, posting her victory about 24 hours after teammate Lauren McMahon raced to a win in the 3,000-meter run. "I'm kind of at a loss for words right now," Romig said. … [Read more...] about ‘I’m kind of at a loss for words’: Ankeny’s Romig leaps to long jump crown
‘We got points on the board, and we’ll get some more’: Jaguars take 2nd in 4×200
The goal of a top-five finish in the Class 4A state meet remains well within reach for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. The Jaguars picked up points in two more events on Friday and are currently tied with three other teams for seventh place with 18 points. Ankeny is tied with three other squads for 13th place with eight points. Cedar Falls has … [Read more...] about ‘We got points on the board, and we’ll get some more’: Jaguars take 2nd in 4×200
Centennial boys top Urbandale, will host Waukee in Class 2A quarterfinals
The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team has earned a rematch against Waukee. The Jaguars posted a 5-2 victory over visiting Urbandale in the final of a Class 2A substate team tournament on Friday. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the state team tournament and will host Waukee on Saturday at 11 a.m. Waukee, which rolled to a 5-0 win over Ames in … [Read more...] about Centennial boys top Urbandale, will host Waukee in Class 2A quarterfinals
Centennial girls advance 4 players to state for only 2nd time in school history
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team dominated a Class 2A regional singles and doubles tournament on Thursday at Fort Dodge. The Jaguars advanced four players to the state tournament for only the second time in school history. In 2017, Centennial swept the doubles competition, qualifying both of its teams for state. On Thursday, the Jaguars swept … [Read more...] about Centennial girls advance 4 players to state for only 2nd time in school history