A talented group of seniors will lead the way this season for the Ankeny baseball team. A trio of all-conference players--catcher Max Watson, pitcher Alex Griess and outfielder Ben Sandvig--is back for the Hawks, along with some other key returnees. "The practices have been great this spring," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "Our seniors have done a … [Read more...] about Challenging new CIML awaits two-time defending league champion Hawks
Archives for May 2023
Coed state track qualifiers announced: Ankeny girls’ team advances in 17 events
The coed state track qualifiers have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The Ankeny girls' team has qualified in 17 events, one more than the Ankeny boys' squad. Both Ankeny Centennial teams have qualified in 12 events. Here are all of the qualifiers from Ankeny and Centennial, … [Read more...] about Coed state track qualifiers announced: Ankeny girls’ team advances in 17 events
Pritchard-to-Pitz connection gives Hawkettes 1-0 victory over No. 2 Valley
Jenna Pitz and the Ankeny girls' soccer team appear to be peaking at the right time. Pitz scored the game's only goal in the first half and the fourth-ranked Hawkettes went on to beat visiting Valley, 1-0, in the CIML Conference finale for both teams on Friday. The No. 2 Tigers were held scoreless for only the second time this season. "It's a really … [Read more...] about Pritchard-to-Pitz connection gives Hawkettes 1-0 victory over No. 2 Valley
‘We just lost the important points’: Jags fall to Johnston in substate semifinal, 5-4
It's been a year of close losses for the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team. The latest one brought the Jaguars' season to an end. After posting a 5-0 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes in a Class 2A substate team tournament on Friday at Johnston, Centennial dropped a 5-4 decision to the host Dragons in the semifinal round. The two teams were tied … [Read more...] about ‘We just lost the important points’: Jags fall to Johnston in substate semifinal, 5-4
Centennial girls ‘have a lot to be proud of’ despite 3-1 loss to No. 1 Wolves
There's no doubt which team is favored to win the Class 3A girls' soccer championship in a few weeks. Top-ranked Waukee Northwest completed an undefeated run through the rugged CIML Conference with a 3-1 victory over No. 8 Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The host Wolves finished 8-0 in the league and improved to 13-1 overall. Northwest's only loss came to … [Read more...] about Centennial girls ‘have a lot to be proud of’ despite 3-1 loss to No. 1 Wolves
‘We will regroup’: Jaguars close out regular season with loss to Waukee NW
Friday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest won't be the one that is going to define the 2023 season for the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team. There are more important contests coming up, including a likely rematch against the Wolves in a Class 4A substate final. Fourth-ranked Northwest closed out the regular season with a 2-1 victory over the … [Read more...] about ‘We will regroup’: Jaguars close out regular season with loss to Waukee NW
Centennial’s Pratt wins long jump, while Sandquist takes discus at Norwalk SQM
The rainy conditions provided a challenge for the Ankeny Centennial track teams on Thursday. Both squads overcame a steady drizzle to earn top-four finishes in a Class 4A state qualifying meet at Norwalk. The Jaguars placed third among eight teams in the girls' division with 117.5 points. "We had a great meet with strong performances across the board … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Pratt wins long jump, while Sandquist takes discus at Norwalk SQM
No. 1 Valley boys post 7th consecutive shutout with 5-0 victory over Hawks
There's a reason why the Valley boys' soccer team is ranked No. 1 in Class 4A. The Tigers are on a roll. Valley closed out its CIML Conference schedule with a 5-0 victory over visiting Ankeny on Thursday. It was the seventh consecutive shutout for the Tigers, who have not conceded a goal since dropping a 1-0 decision at No. 2 Johnston on April … [Read more...] about No. 1 Valley boys post 7th consecutive shutout with 5-0 victory over Hawks
‘We took care of business’: Ankeny teams score 193 points, place 2nd at SQM
A long bus ride to Council Bluffs turned into a successful business trip for the Ankeny track teams. Both the Hawks and Hawkettes scored 193 points and placed second among eight teams in a Class 4A state qualifying meet on Thursday at Wickersham Stadium. More importantly, both Ankeny squads qualified for next week's state meet in a combined 33 … [Read more...] about ‘We took care of business’: Ankeny teams score 193 points, place 2nd at SQM
Regional soccer pairings: Ankeny, Centennial girls earn No. 1 seeds in 3A
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer teams have both received No. 1 seeds for the upcoming Class 3A regional tournaments from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Fourth-ranked Ankeny (8-3-1) is the top seed in Region 4 and will host a semifinal game against Ames (8-7) or Fort Dodge (0-8) on Tuesday, May 23 at 7 p.m. No. 12 Urbandale … [Read more...] about Regional soccer pairings: Ankeny, Centennial girls earn No. 1 seeds in 3A
Centennial golfers place 6th at CIML meet, while Hawkettes finish 8th
The Ankeny Centennial girls' golf squad took sixth in the CIML Conference meet on Wednesday at Jester Park, while Ankeny finished eighth in the nine-team field. Third-ranked Southeast Polk shot a 326 to win the team title. No. 6 Waukee Northwest was second with a 331, followed by No. 8 Valley with a 337. Centennial and Dowling Catholic each finished … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers place 6th at CIML meet, while Hawkettes finish 8th
Smith earns another trip to state with runner-up finish at regional tourney
Ankeny sophomore Kira Smith has been battling an inflamed rotator cuff in her right shoulder for much of the girls' high school tennis season. The injury didn't prevent her from earning a second consecutive trip to the Class 2A state tournament. Smith placed second in singles in a Class 2A regional tournament on Wednesday at Valley. She advanced to the … [Read more...] about Smith earns another trip to state with runner-up finish at regional tourney
‘It was pretty amazing’: Centennial girls qualify all 6 players for state tourney
It's been a banner season for the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. It got even better on Wednesday. The third-ranked Jaguars qualified all six of their players for the Class 2A state tournament by sweeping the top two places in both singles and doubles in a regional tournament at Ames. The state tournament will be held on May 26-27 at the … [Read more...] about ‘It was pretty amazing’: Centennial girls qualify all 6 players for state tourney
GOOOOOOAL!: Jimenez’s blast gives Ankeny boys 1-0 triumph at Urbandale
One goal proved to be enough for the Ankeny boys' soccer team. Sophomore Brian Jimenez scored on a blast from 30 yards out to give the Hawks a 1-0 victory on Tuesday at Urbandale. It was the first goal of the season for Jimenez, who found the top corner of the net. That was all the support that freshman goalkeeper Jackson Dockendorff needed. He went on … [Read more...] about GOOOOOOAL!: Jimenez’s blast gives Ankeny boys 1-0 triumph at Urbandale
Dietz, Hawkettes roll past Urbandale, will host showdown vs. No. 2 Valley Friday
At times this season, the Ankeny girls' soccer team has struggled to find the net. That wasn't a problem on Tuesday night. Camryn Dietz scored a pair of goals and the fourth-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 4-0 victory over No. 12 Urbandale in a CIML Conference game at Ankeny. "A couple of the girls really set themselves apart," said Ankeny coach Simon … [Read more...] about Dietz, Hawkettes roll past Urbandale, will host showdown vs. No. 2 Valley Friday
Duax scores twice on PKs, leads Jaguars back from early deficit on Senior Night
The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team celebrated its Senior Night on Tuesday with a 4-1 victory over visiting Southeast Polk. Ty Duax scored a pair of goals for the 10th-ranked Jaguars, who improved to 4-3 in the CIML Conference and 7-4 overall. No. 14 Southeast Polk's records fell to 1-6 and 8-8. The game pitted Centennial coach Brian Duax against … [Read more...] about Duax scores twice on PKs, leads Jaguars back from early deficit on Senior Night
‘We connected passes really well’: Martin, Jaguars roll to 4-0 victory at S.E. Polk
Ava Martin scored a pair of goals in the first half and the eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team went on to post a 4-0 victory at Southeast Polk on Tuesday. McKenna Hilton and Emily Conger each added a goal for the Jaguars, who also got two saves from goalkeeper Kate Bergan en route to the shutout. “We played together and as a team with … [Read more...] about ‘We connected passes really well’: Martin, Jaguars roll to 4-0 victory at S.E. Polk
‘There is depth at all positions’: ACHS baseball team boasts loaded roster
The Ankeny Centennial baseball program is still seeking its first trip to the Class 4A state tournament. This year's team appears to have the talent to end that drought. The Jaguars return many of the key players from last year's squad that posted a 25-14 record and battled eventual state champion Johnston into the bottom of the seventh inning in a … [Read more...] about ‘There is depth at all positions’: ACHS baseball team boasts loaded roster
Substate soccer pairings: Road to state goes through No. 4 NW for Jaguars
Last year, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer teams both ended their seasons with a loss to Waukee Northwest in the Class 3A state tournament at Cownie Park. This year, the Jaguars may have to beat Northwest just to qualify for the first-ever Class 4A tournament. The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced its substate brackets on … [Read more...] about Substate soccer pairings: Road to state goes through No. 4 NW for Jaguars
Jaali Winters Volleyball Camps to be held in Ankeny this summer
Professional volleyball player Jaali WInters will be holding several different volleyball camps in Ankeny this summer. If you sign up before Friday, you can receive a 10 percent discount on the registration fee by using the code "EARLYBIRDJW2023". Winters is a former star at Ankeny Centennial who went on to break over 90 school records at Creighton, where … [Read more...] about Jaali Winters Volleyball Camps to be held in Ankeny this summer