Ankeny quarterback JJ Kohl is now listed as a four-star recruit on Rivals. Kohl, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound junior, is ranked No. 223 nationally in the Class of 2023. He is the No. 5 prospect in the state of Iowa and No. 14 nationally at his position. Kohl helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A this season. He completed … [Read more...] about Four-star recruit: Ankeny QB Kohl ranked No. 223 nationally by Rivals
Archives for November 2021
‘It should be a fun year’: Jaguars boast 6 returning state qualifiers
Thursday will be a special night for Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth. The Jaguars will open their season by hosting a dual meet against Waukee. "It will be the first time in my career that I will face a former wrestler of mine as a head coach," said Groth. "John Meeks wrestled at Des Moines Roosevelt when I was coaching there (and was a … [Read more...] about ‘It should be a fun year’: Jaguars boast 6 returning state qualifiers
Moss named Big Ten Conference Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year
If this ends up being the final season of Riley Moss' Iowa football career, it's been a memorable one. The former Ankeny Centennial star was named the Big Ten Conference Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year on Tuesday. He is the fifth Hawkeye to win the award and the first since Amani Hooker in 2019. Moss ranks 11th in the country and third in the … [Read more...] about Moss named Big Ten Conference Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year
FILLING IT UP: Senior’s 3-pointer sparks late run, lifts Hawkettes past North
Jadyn Filling didn't hesitate when she had an open look at the basket. The senior guard drained a huge 3-point goal with 3 minutes 32 seconds left, sparking a late 11-2 run that lifted the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 44-40 victory over visiting Des Moines North on Monday. "I was struggling with confidence coming into this game, but I really feel … [Read more...] about FILLING IT UP: Senior’s 3-pointer sparks late run, lifts Hawkettes past North
Ankeny’s Foels chooses soccer over volleyball, will play for Loras College
Ankeny senior Maddie Foels is a strong defender on the soccer field and on the volleyball court. She could have elected to play either sport at the collegiate level, but she decided that her future was on the pitch. Foels has verbally committed to play soccer for Loras College. She announced her decision via Twitter on Sunday. "I'm beyond excited to … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Foels chooses soccer over volleyball, will play for Loras College
Texas Tech’s Sauer, Wisconsin’s Robinson could meet in NCAA Tournament
Kenna Sauer helped the Texas Tech volleyball team end a 20-year NCAA Championship drought. Now, the former Ankeny Centennial star could be headed toward a possible second-round matchup against one of her ex-Jaguar teammates. Sauer and the Red Raiders (17-12) earned their first trip to the Big Dance since 2001 during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday … [Read more...] about Texas Tech’s Sauer, Wisconsin’s Robinson could meet in NCAA Tournament
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jenna Pitz, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior guard Jenna Pitz is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. She was named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team as a sophomore, when she averaged 9.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Pitz scored 12 points and had two steals in Ankeny's 59-45 loss to fifth-ranked Southeast Polk in its season opener on Tuesday. The … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jenna Pitz, Ankeny girls’ basketball
BLAINE’S MAGIC TRICK: Central reaches quarterfinals on Hawkins’ record-tying TD
Blaine Hawkins entered Saturday's second-round NCAA Division III playoff game with a chance to make some football history. The former Ankeny quarterback etched his name in the record book in the most dramatic way possible. Hawkins found teammate Tanner Schminke in the corner of the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown pass on the game's final play to give … [Read more...] about BLAINE’S MAGIC TRICK: Central reaches quarterfinals on Hawkins’ record-tying TD
Experienced Hawks looking to rebound from last season’s 10-10 campaign
There won't be any break for Ankeny football standouts Ryan Crandall, JJ Kohl and Braden Simonsen. After helping the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the Class 5A playoffs on the gridiron earlier this month, the trio has made a quick transition to the basketball court. The Ankeny boys' squad will open its season on Friday with a difficult road test at Ames, … [Read more...] about Experienced Hawks looking to rebound from last season’s 10-10 campaign
Jaguars make nine 3-pointers, cruise to 42-point victory at Urbandale
The ball was falling through the hoop on Friday for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The ninth-ranked Jaguars found their shooting stroke in a 58-16 victory at Urbandale. They raised their record to 2-0 on the season, while the J-Hawks dropped to 0-2. "We shot the ball well," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. "We hadn't done that in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars make nine 3-pointers, cruise to 42-point victory at Urbandale
‘Our seniors need to step up and lead’: Jaguars to lean on trio of returnees
It's going to be a challenge for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to win a third consecutive conference title. The Jaguars posted a 14-5 record a year ago and captured the CIML Iowa Conference crown, but all-state guard Jaron Crews and three other starters have graduated. Ames, which posted a 57-37 victory over Centennial in a Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘Our seniors need to step up and lead’: Jaguars to lean on trio of returnees
Hawk bowlers edge Dowling in season opener; Maroons win girls’ matchup
The Ankeny bowling teams opened the season on Tuesday by splitting a matchup against visiting Dowling Catholic at Great Escape. The Ankeny boys' squad edged the Maroons by a score of 2,328 to 2,289. Dowling won the girls' contest by a score of 1,865 to 1,435. "It was a hard-fought victory for the boys' team as it came down (the last three) frames of … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers edge Dowling in season opener; Maroons win girls’ matchup
Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes
A few days ago, Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly said he thought he could have a pretty good basketball team by mid-January. If Tuesday's season opener against fifth-ranked Southeast Polk was any indication, it's not going to take that long. Ankeny battled the visiting Rams on even terms for much of the game before Southeast Polk pulled away … [Read more...] about Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes
Hawk tankers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invitational
Tuesday's Ankeny Sprint Invitational gave the Ankeny boys' swimming team an early chance to see how the Hawks stack up against some of the state's top squads. Defending state champion Waukee won the six-team meet with 473 points. Valley placed second with 405 points, followed by Ankeny with 373. "There definitely was a lot of fast swimming in the pool … [Read more...] about Hawk tankers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invitational
‘We were happy to get out of there’: Jaguars win opener over improved North
A matchup against Des Moines North used to be an easy win for most girls' basketball teams in the CIML. Ankeny Centennial found out on Tuesday in its season opener that this year's version of the Polar Bears is different. The ninth-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the second half for a 44-30 road victory, but North showed that it's going to be a lot more … [Read more...] about ‘We were happy to get out of there’: Jaguars win opener over improved North
Centennial’s Mirembe signs letter of intent to play volleyball at DMACC
Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Monica Mirembe has signed a letter of intent with DMACC (Boone). Mirembe said she looked at some other schools before picking the Bears. "It was not very hard for me to decide I wanted to go there," Mirembe said. "They have a great nursing program and a welcoming and great environment and people on that … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Mirembe signs letter of intent to play volleyball at DMACC
Centennial Digital Network to live stream all Jaguars’ home events this winter
Fans of the Ankeny Centennial athletic teams will be able to watch all of the home events this winter from the comfort of their own homes. Centennial parent Andy Pollock will be live streaming all of the home girls' basketball, boys' basketball and wrestling events through Facebook. Coverage will begin with the basketball doubleheader against Southeast … [Read more...] about Centennial Digital Network to live stream all Jaguars’ home events this winter
Seven Ankeny players named to Class 5A all-state first team by IPSWA
Thirteen Ankeny football players have received all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Two Ankeny Centennial standouts were also honored. The Hawks, who posted a 10-3 record and earned a runner-up finish in Class 5A, placed seven players on the … [Read more...] about Seven Ankeny players named to Class 5A all-state first team by IPSWA
Challenging season ahead for Richtsmeier, Ankeny bowling teams
Ankeny bowling coach Lane Richtsmeier is still trying to determine his lineups for Tuesday's season opener against visiting Dowling Catholic at Great Escape. Right now, Richtsmeier doesn't have enough female bowlers for a full girls' varsity squad. "We have 27 total kids out but only four girls at the moment--with some possible late arrivals, hopefully … [Read more...] about Challenging season ahead for Richtsmeier, Ankeny bowling teams
Hawkettes could experience growing pains, but McAnelly sees some potential
It might take awhile for the Ankeny girls' basketball team to reach its potential. The Hawkettes return only two starters from a squad that posted a 10-7 record last year for the program's first winning season since the split into two high schools. "We are extremely young with only two seniors, and both of them have not played very many varsity minutes … [Read more...] about Hawkettes could experience growing pains, but McAnelly sees some potential