Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for August 2021

Meier, Kelling help Centennial past Bobcats in battle of undefeated teams

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Caden Kelling and Ben Meier played in the No. 5 and 6 positions for the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team on Monday. But the duo turned out to be instrumental in the Jaguars' dual-meet victory over visiting Marshalltown at Briarwood Golf Club. Meier carded a 1-under-par 35 to share medalist honors with Marshalltown's Grant Greazel, while Kelling shot a … [Read more...] about Meier, Kelling help Centennial past Bobcats in battle of undefeated teams

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Hannah Baier, Ankeny volleyball

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Junior outside hitter Hannah Baier has helped the third-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a 7-1 record. She had 19 kills and 11 digs as the Hawkettes opened their season on Tuesday by winning the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. Ankeny then competed in the Ankeny Centennial Invitational on Saturday. The Hawkettes swept all three of their opponents during … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Hannah Baier, Ankeny volleyball

Ankeny boys, girls earn runner-up finish at Dragon Twilight Invitational

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It appears that the Ankeny boys' and girls' cross country teams may have been underrated in the Class 4A preseason rankings. Both squads opened their season on Saturday night by placing second in the Dragon Twilight Invitational at Johnston High School. The Hawks and Hawkettes defeated multiple higher-ranked teams, including Ankeny Centennial. "I'm … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys, girls earn runner-up finish at Dragon Twilight Invitational

Hawkettes, Jaguars suffer back-to-back losses to Valley at Centennial Invite

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For the second time in five days, a potential matchup between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial volleyball teams was spoiled by one of the schools' CIML rivals. On Saturday at the Centennial Invitational, sixth-ranked Valley posted a 25-21, 25-17 victory over No. 3 Ankeny in the quarterfinals. It was the first loss of the season for the Hawkettes (7-1) and … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars suffer back-to-back losses to Valley at Centennial Invite

‘We did not have our best day’: Jaguars shoot 165, but still earn dual-meet win

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Friday wasn't the best day for a round of golf. With temperatures soaring into the 90s once again, the conditions were more favorable for a trip to the swimming pool. "It was a rough day," said Centennial boys' golf coach Rick Fee. "The course was wet, it was hot, and very windy. We did not have our best day as a team." Still, Centennial remained … [Read more...] about ‘We did not have our best day’: Jaguars shoot 165, but still earn dual-meet win

OPENING STATEMENT: Hawks’ defense shines in 49-0 win over Waukee

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Braden Simonsen will have a lot to celebrate Saturday on his birthday. Simonsen returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and the third-ranked Ankeny football team rolled to a 49-0 victory over visiting Waukee in the season opener for both squads on Friday. "Scoring the touchdown was a great early birthday present!" Simonsen said. It was an … [Read more...] about OPENING STATEMENT: Hawks’ defense shines in 49-0 win over Waukee

Ex-Hawk Kluver guides Indianola to 42-13 victory over Jaguars, Pezzetti

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Eric Kluver grew up in Ankeny wanting to play football for legendary coach Jerry Pezzetti. Kluver eventually followed in Pezzetti's footsteps, becoming a head coach and building a solid program at Indianola. On Friday, Kluver prevented his mentor from tying the state's all-time record for coaching wins. Indianola overcame an early 13-7 deficit by … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk Kluver guides Indianola to 42-13 victory over Jaguars, Pezzetti

Ex-Jaguars Gray, Overberg help Gophers to 1-0 victory over Ubben, Drake

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Back in 2018, Megan Gray and Tori Ubben played key roles as the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team captured the Class 3A state title. On Thursday at Drake Stadium, the former teammates found themselves on opposite sides of the pitch. Gray and another former Centennial star--Elizabeth Overberg--helped visiting Minnesota to a 1-0 victory over Ubben's … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguars Gray, Overberg help Gophers to 1-0 victory over Ubben, Drake

‘It’ll be fun to watch’: No. 3 Hawks look to contend for first Class 5A crown

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The cupboard is hardly bare for the Ankeny football team. The Hawks suffered heavy losses to graduation after winning the Class 4A state title last fall, but several standouts are back from the squad that finished with an 11-1 record. Some talented newcomers have joined the roster as well. Ankeny is third in the new Class 5A division in the preseason … [Read more...] about ‘It’ll be fun to watch’: No. 3 Hawks look to contend for first Class 5A crown

‘We’re all trying to get it for him’: Pezzetti needs just 2 wins to set all-time mark

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The losses stick out in Jerry Pezzetti's mind much more than the victories. Over the last six decades, there haven't been a lot of them. "People talk about the wins, but I think I remember the losses a lot more than the wins," said Pezzetti, who has been coaching high school football for 60 years. "Someone asked me how many wins (I have), and I don't … [Read more...] about ‘We’re all trying to get it for him’: Pezzetti needs just 2 wins to set all-time mark

Hawkettes rally past Dowling Catholic to win DC-G Invitational crown

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The Ankeny volleyball team has picked up right where it left off a year ago. The defending Class 5A state champions opened their season on Tuesday by winning the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. Third-ranked Ankeny rallied to beat No. 10 Dowling Catholic, 18-21, 21-10, 15-10, in the championship match. "The last match was the best one," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally past Dowling Catholic to win DC-G Invitational crown

Jaguars finish 3rd at DC-G Invite after losing to Urbandale during pool play

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For awhile on Tuesday, it appeared that the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team was headed for a showdown against crosstown rival Ankeny in the championship match of the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. While third-ranked Ankeny easily won its pool, No. 4 Ankeny Centennial got off to a great start in the other pool and seemed to be on a collision course … [Read more...] about Jaguars finish 3rd at DC-G Invite after losing to Urbandale during pool play

Peters, Ankeny divers defend their titles at Johnston Invitational

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Last year, the Ankeny girls' swimming team had three divers among the top 13 finishers at the state meet. The Hawkettes might be able to duplicate that feat this season. Even though Dasha Toth has graduated, Ankeny showed off its diving depth on Monday at the Johnston Invitational. The Hawkettes placed three girls among the top six finishers in the … [Read more...] about Peters, Ankeny divers defend their titles at Johnston Invitational

Defending champs look to ‘maintain high expectations program has reached’

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The goals haven't changed for the Ankeny volleyball team, even after losing Class 5A player of the year Phyona Schrader and fellow all-stater McKenna Scheib from last year's state championship squad. Ankeny coach Dave Whims thinks the Hawkettes can contend for another crown. "My goal is to get the players to play the best they can play as an individual … [Read more...] about Defending champs look to ‘maintain high expectations program has reached’

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Rondi Quass, Centennial girls’ cross country

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Ankeny Centennial junior Rondi Quass is one of the state's best distance runners. She is eighth in the girls' Class 4A individual cross country preseason rankings by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. Quass placed 14th in last year's Class 4A state meet with a time of 18 minutes 54 seconds. She led the Jaguars to a third-place finish, the best … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Rondi Quass, Centennial girls’ cross country

‘We definitely have a lot of experience’: Loaded Jaguars look to contend in 5A

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Jessica Rinehart has coached a lot of talented volleyball teams at Ankeny Centennial. This year's squad may be one of her most experienced ever. The Jaguars return nearly every player who had a major role on last year's team that posted a 16-10 record and advanced to the state tournament for the seventh time in eight seasons. "We return all of our … [Read more...] about ‘We definitely have a lot of experience’: Loaded Jaguars look to contend in 5A

After McMahon’s departure, Hawkettes look to rebuild around Dosh, Beason

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A year ago, Ankeny's Lauren McMahon emerged from out of nowhere to become one of the state's top girls' cross country runners. Now, as quickly as she arrived on the scene, she is gone. McMahon went out for the sport for the first time and won six of her first seven races before placing sixth in the Class 4A state meet, where she led the Hawkettes to a … [Read more...] about After McMahon’s departure, Hawkettes look to rebuild around Dosh, Beason

Jaguars seek back-to-back trips to state meet for first time in school history

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While dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team enjoyed the best season in school history. The Jaguars won a conference title for the first time and went on to place ninth in the Class 4A state meet with 243 points. It was the first top-10 finish for Centennial, which had placed 13th in its only previous … [Read more...] about Jaguars seek back-to-back trips to state meet for first time in school history