Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Archives for March 2022

Pennington scores 4 goals, leads Jaguars past Marshalltown in season opener

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team overcame the blustery conditions to open its season with a 10-0 victory over visiting Marshalltown in a CIML Iowa Conference game on Tuesday. The Jaguars built a 5-0 halftime lead, then added five more goals in the second half before the contest ended in the 59th minute due to the mercy rule. "When we were … [Read more...] about Pennington scores 4 goals, leads Jaguars past Marshalltown in season opener

With 8 returning varsity golfers, Jaguars looking to be more competitive

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As the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team prepares for its season opener on April 5 at Fort Dodge, Mother Nature has not made things easy for the Jaguars. Centennial coach John Petersen said the cold, rainy and windy conditions this spring have prevented his players from getting much time on the golf course. "The weather has made practices difficult," … [Read more...] about With 8 returning varsity golfers, Jaguars looking to be more competitive

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maraye Breeding, Centennial girls’ track

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Senior Maraye Breeding is one of 12 returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. She helped the Jaguars to a 14th-place finish in last year's Class 4A state meet. Breeding ran on the fifth-place 4x200 relay which set a school record with a time of 1:45.05. She also ran on the 14th-place shuttle hurdle relay. Here is some … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maraye Breeding, Centennial girls’ track

Ankeny girls’ swimming coach Stout announces retirement after 15 seasons

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Ankeny girls' swimming coach Michelle Stout wanted to leave her program in a good place. She has certainly done that. The longtime coach of the Hawkettes has announced her retirement. "I always knew I wanted to be sure I retired at a time when the team was in a position to succeed after my departure," said Stout, who has also been an assistant … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ swimming coach Stout announces retirement after 15 seasons

‘We’ll keep the same focus’: Hawkettes look to build on winning season

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A year ago, the Ankeny girls' tennis team laid the foundation for a bright future under first-year coach Steve Smith. The Hawkettes posted an 8-7 record, including a 3-2 mark in the CIML Iowa Conference. It was the program's first winning season since 2012. "Last year we focused on culture and process-oriented goals," said Smith. "So, we dialed in on … [Read more...] about ‘We’ll keep the same focus’: Hawkettes look to build on winning season

Centennial’s James verbally commits to play softball at Simpson College

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Ankeny Centennial softball player Mackenzie James didn't have to wait any longer to make her college plans. The junior outfielder verbally committed on Friday to play for Simpson College, beginning in the fall of 2023. "The decision was pretty easy for me," said James. "Simpson was the first school I visited and instantly I felt at home. The softball … [Read more...] about Centennial’s James verbally commits to play softball at Simpson College

Peterson, 3 other varsity regulars are back for Centennial boys’ tennis team

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Despite losing state runner-up Will Blevins to graduation, the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team has a capable replacement to take over the squad's No. 1 spot. Junior Caleb Peterson posted a 15-2 record at the No. 2 singles position a year ago. He also teamed up with Nic Mackaman, who graduated as well, for a 12-4 mark in doubles, including a … [Read more...] about Peterson, 3 other varsity regulars are back for Centennial boys’ tennis team

Four returning varsity regulars expected ‘to set the tone’ for Ankeny golfers

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Although the Ankeny girls' golf team boasts four returning varsity regulars, the Hawkettes' lineup could look a lot different this season. Gone is Jaci Webb, a three-time state qualifier who graduated last spring and is now playing for William Jewell College. She placed ninth in Class 4A last season, equaling the highest finish by an Ankeny golfer since … [Read more...] about Four returning varsity regulars expected ‘to set the tone’ for Ankeny golfers

‘Our goal is to go as far as possible’: Experienced Hawks return 10 starters

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A year ago, the Ankeny boys' soccer team posted an 11-6 record despite having an inexperienced squad. Now, the Hawks are beginning their second campaign under coach Marcus Varnum with a roster that is both seasoned and talented. "The strengths of our team are definitely the year of experience and growth that all of our returning players are bringing," … [Read more...] about ‘Our goal is to go as far as possible’: Experienced Hawks return 10 starters

Aguirre, Crandall, Johnson named to all-substate boys’ basketball team

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Ankeny players Lio Aguirre, Ryan Crandall and Carson Johnson have been named to the Class 4A Substate 1 boys' basketball team. The trio helped the Hawks to a 19-5 record and a trip to the state tournament this season. Crandall, a senior forward, averaged a team-high 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He was earlier selected to … [Read more...] about Aguirre, Crandall, Johnson named to all-substate boys’ basketball team

Central outfielder Burnett named NFCA Division III softball player of the week

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Former Ankeny Centennial softball star Franie Burnett has been named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's Division III player of the week. She is the first Central College player to receive the NFCA honor since Kiley Lythberg was tabbed on March 23, 2011. Burnett, a sophomore right fielder, was earlier named the American Rivers Female Athlete … [Read more...] about Central outfielder Burnett named NFCA Division III softball player of the week

Despite heavy losses to graduation, Centennial girls return wealth of talent

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Most girls' soccer teams would have a hard time replacing an all-stater like Elizabeth Overberg. Not to mention four other all-conference players in Cecilia Burroughs, Macy Epp, Aly Jumper and Meghan White. But Ankeny Centennial still returns a wealth of talent from last year's team that posted an 18-3 record and handed eventual Class 3A state champion … [Read more...] about Despite heavy losses to graduation, Centennial girls return wealth of talent

Roosevelt’s Patton to transfer to Ankeny, will play safety to prepare for next level

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One of the state's top football players in the Class of 2023 is headed to Ankeny High School. Des Moines Roosevelt star Jamison Patton, who is being recruited by Power Five schools as an athlete, announced on Sunday via Twitter that he will play for the Hawks in the fall. "After a lot of thought and talking it over with my family I will be transferring … [Read more...] about Roosevelt’s Patton to transfer to Ankeny, will play safety to prepare for next level

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Logan Fincham, ACA boys’ basketball

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Senior guard Logan Fincham helped the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 15-8 record this season. Fincham averaged a team-high 13.8 points per game. He shot 35.8 percent from 3-point range (24-of-67) and 81.7 percent at the free-throw line (58-of-71). Here is some inside info on Fincham: Congratulations on an outstanding season. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Logan Fincham, ACA boys’ basketball

After earning all-region honors, Bayless’ season ends with one-point loss at Hutch

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March Madness is over for Braxton Bayless and the Indian Hills Community College men's basketball team. The seventh-seeded Warriors dropped a 65-64 decision to No. 10 seed Northwest Florida State in the second round of the National Junior College Athletic Association DI Tournament on Tuesday at the Hutchinson (Kan.) Sports Arena. Bayless, a former Ankeny … [Read more...] about After earning all-region honors, Bayless’ season ends with one-point loss at Hutch

Ex-star Gustafson returns to Centennial girls’ tennis program as head coach

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When Ankeny Centennial first opened in 2013, the school opted to hire Collin Daniels--who was then a student at Iowa State University--to coach the boys' tennis team. Now, the Jaguars have turned to another Iowa State student to coach the girls' tennis squad. Alli Gustafson, a former Centennial standout, has returned to the program as head coach. A … [Read more...] about Ex-star Gustafson returns to Centennial girls’ tennis program as head coach