Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Archives for January 2023

Centennial tops Prairie behind Winkel, Bryan; Jaguars will host Ankeny Friday

by

Luke Winkel and Evan Bryan combined for 51 points to lead the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 71-55 victory at Cedar Rapids Prairie in a non-conference game on Monday. Winkel poured in 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting, while Bryan added 20 on 7-of-10 shooting. It was a career-high for both players, who each had a pair of 3-point … [Read more...] about Centennial tops Prairie behind Winkel, Bryan; Jaguars will host Ankeny Friday

Westover commits to Iowa Western, joining trio of Centennial recruits

by

Ankeny defensive back PJ Westover has made his college choice. Westover announced on Twitter Monday that he has verbally committed to play football at Iowa Western Community College. Westover helped the Hawks to a 9-2 record last season. He made 42.5 tackles and intercepted a pair of passes. Westover was named to the Class 5A all-state second team … [Read more...] about Westover commits to Iowa Western, joining trio of Centennial recruits

‘I loved the small-town feel’: Centennial’s Price to play tennis at Central College

by

Ankeny Centennial senior Madison Price has signed a letter of intent to play tennis at Central College in Pella. Price was looking for a smaller college where she could continue her athletic career. "I mainly looked at Loras and Central because I loved the small-town feel of the campus," said Price. "Dubuque is beautiful, but I really like the … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the small-town feel’: Centennial’s Price to play tennis at Central College

Ankeny assistant Sheldon named head volleyball coach at Pella High School

by

Ankeny assistant volleyball coach Sam Sheldon felt like she was ready to take over her own program. Now, she'll be able to do just that. Sheldon has been named the head coach at Pella High School, pending school board approval. "I feel very ready to serve their community and lead this program," said Sheldon. Sheldon has been an assistant coach at … [Read more...] about Ankeny assistant Sheldon named head volleyball coach at Pella High School

Pairings announced for girls’ state tourney; Ankeny duo earns top-5 seeds

by

The pairings have been announced for the inaugural girls' state wrestling tournament on Thursday and Friday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. Eight Ankeny wrestlers qualified for the tournament by placing among the top four finishers in a super regional on Friday at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Only three schools had more qualifiers than … [Read more...] about Pairings announced for girls’ state tourney; Ankeny duo earns top-5 seeds

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Elyse Engebretson, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

by

Sophomore Elyse Engebretson is one of eight state qualifiers for the Ankeny girls' wrestling team. She helped lead the squad to a runner-up finish in a regional tournament on Friday at the Iowa Events Center. Engebretson pinned all three of her opponents to win the 115-pound title. In the finals, she recorded a fall over Jasmine Oleson of Cedar Falls in 1 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Elyse Engebretson, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

‘We didn’t quite deserve it’: Jaguars lose late lead, fall at No. 2 Johnston in OT

by

A week ago, the Johnston girls' basketball team suffered its first loss in 43 games, proving that the second-ranked Dragons are beatable. On Friday, the defending state champions nearly took another loss--this time on their home court. No. 6 Ankeny Centennial built a 49-42 lead with 2 minutes 51 seconds left, but Johnston used a 10-3 run to force … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t quite deserve it’: Jaguars lose late lead, fall at No. 2 Johnston in OT

‘We played them pretty tough’: Hawks show progress in 66-55 loss at No. 3 NW

by

For nearly three quarters on Friday night, the Ankeny boys' basketball team threatened to knock off the state's No. 3 squad for the second time in two weeks. The Hawks, who posted a 56-51 upset over Waukee on Jan. 13, battled host Waukee Northwest to a 41-41 tie about 5 minutes into the second half. But the Wolves then closed the third quarter with an 8-2 … [Read more...] about ‘We played them pretty tough’: Hawks show progress in 66-55 loss at No. 3 NW

‘It was huge’: Gage, Hawkettes dominate final 4 minutes to earn road win over NW

by

If the Ankeny girls' basketball team hopes to finish the season with a winning record, Friday's contest at Waukee Northwest was a must-win game. The 14th-ranked Hawkettes got what they needed with a 59-52 victory, allowing them to sweep the season series. They improved to 4-9 in the CIML Conference and 9-9 overall with three games left in the regular … [Read more...] about ‘It was huge’: Gage, Hawkettes dominate final 4 minutes to earn road win over NW

Centennial lineman Jones to join Simon, Targgart on Iowa Western squad

by

There's another Ankeny Centennial football player headed to Iowa Western Community College. Offensive lineman Cavan Jones verbally committed to the Reivers on Friday. He joins teammates Hudson Simon and Brody Targgart, who both committed to Iowa Western last week. "It definitely played a factor in my decision," said Jones. "I've been really close … [Read more...] about Centennial lineman Jones to join Simon, Targgart on Iowa Western squad

Ankeny advances 2 champions, 6 other qualifiers to girls’ state wrestling tourney

by

Friday was another historic day for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program. Competing in a regional tournament at the Iowa Events Center, Ankeny placed second in the 25-team field and qualified eight of its wrestlers for the first girls' state tournament next week at Xtream Arena in Coralville. "It was a great day!" said Ankeny coach Dustin Roland. "We … [Read more...] about Ankeny advances 2 champions, 6 other qualifiers to girls’ state wrestling tourney

After slow start, Centennial boys pull away in 2nd half for 78-48 win at Carlisle

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team pulled away in the second half for a 78-48 victory at Carlisle in a non-conference game on Thursday. The seventh-ranked Jaguars held a 32-23 lead at halftime. They extended the margin to 54-34 after three quarters, then continued to pull away in the final period. "We were pretty inconsistent the first half, … [Read more...] about After slow start, Centennial boys pull away in 2nd half for 78-48 win at Carlisle

RAM TOUGH: S.E. Polk wrestlers top Ankeny to capture conference crown

by

There's still a gap between the Southeast Polk wrestling team and the rest of the CIML Conference. The top-ranked Rams won 11 of the 14 matches and rolled to a 45-12 victory at No. 4 Ankeny on Thursday, allowing them to wrap up the league's dual-meet crown. The Hawks finished 7-1 in the conference and dropped to 19-2 overall. "We got outwrestled in … [Read more...] about RAM TOUGH: S.E. Polk wrestlers top Ankeny to capture conference crown

Centennial wrestlers close out regular season with 36-34 loss at Waukee NW

by

The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team closed out the regular season on Thursday with a 36-34 loss at Waukee Northwest. The Wolves won eight of the 14 matches to offset four pins and two technical falls by Centennial. The 10th-ranked Jaguars finished 4-4 in the CIML Conference and dropped to 20-6 overall. Northwest sealed the win when defending state … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers close out regular season with 36-34 loss at Waukee NW

‘It was another nailbiter’: Ankeny bowlers fall to Urbandale by combined 15 pins

by

The Ankeny bowling teams entered Wednesday's dual meet against Urbandale with a chance to even their record at .500 in the CIML Conference. Instead, both squads suffered a narrow loss to the host J-Hawks at Merle Hay Lanes. Urbandale won the boys' meet by a score of 2,813 to 2,806. The J-Hawks won the girls' meet by a score of 1,885 to 1,877. "It … [Read more...] about ‘It was another nailbiter’: Ankeny bowlers fall to Urbandale by combined 15 pins

Hawks struggle in loss to Dowling after leading scorer Johnson injures ankle

by

A challenging season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team may have gotten even more challenging on Tuesday. Junior guard Carson Johnson, the Hawks' leading scorer, suffered an ankle injury during his team's 61-49 loss to visiting Dowling Catholic. The Maroons avenged a 74-65 loss to Ankeny last month. "We struggled offensively," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawks struggle in loss to Dowling after leading scorer Johnson injures ankle

‘They’re on a roll’: Surging Maroons top Ankeny girls for 9th straight victory

by

The schedule hasn't been kind to the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes ran into perhaps the state's hottest team on Tuesday in No. 4 Dowling Catholic, which entered the contest on an eight-game winning streak. The Maroons, who snapped No. 1 Johnston's 42-game winning streak with a 62-48 victory on Friday, kept their momentum … [Read more...] about ‘They’re on a roll’: Surging Maroons top Ankeny girls for 9th straight victory

‘Things just kind of snowballed’: Waukee builds big lead in 72-58 win over Jaguars

by

This time, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team couldn't make a dramatic rally against Waukee. The seventh-ranked Jaguars--who nearly overcame an 18-point deficit in a 55-52 loss at Waukee on Dec. 16--got off to a slow start in Tuesday's rematch at Centennial and fell behind by 30 points in the third quarter. The No. 2 Warriors went on to post a … [Read more...] about ‘Things just kind of snowballed’: Waukee builds big lead in 72-58 win over Jaguars

No. 6 Centennial girls roll past Waukee for their 7th victory in last 8 games

by

After a rare Friday night off, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team returned to the court on Tuesday and put together a complete performance. The sixth-ranked Jaguars placed four players in double figures and rolled past No. 14 Waukee, 55-36, in a CIML Conference game at Centennial. It was their second 19-point win over the Warriors, who had … [Read more...] about No. 6 Centennial girls roll past Waukee for their 7th victory in last 8 games