The Ankeny boys' soccer team split a pair of games on Saturday in eastern Iowa. The Hawks opened the day with a 3-0 victory over Cedar Rapids Kennedy at Coe College. They scored all three of their goals in the second half. "It took us a little while to get going, but we grew into the game and gained control," said Ankeny coach Trevor Fuccio. … [Read more...] about Hawks dominate C.R. Kennedy in 3-0 victory, then tumble to Linn-Mar in OT
Archives for March 2024
Centennial girls fall to Russmann, No. 6 Pleasant Valley in double OT, 3-2
A win over Pleasant Valley would have provided a huge boost for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. Even a 3-2 loss in double overtime showed the seventh-ranked Jaguars that they can play with one of the state's top squads. "I think we can definitely take some positives away from this," said Centennial junior Ava Martin, who scored both of her … [Read more...] about Centennial girls fall to Russmann, No. 6 Pleasant Valley in double OT, 3-2
Hawkettes win 3 events at Emporia St. Relays, surpass coaches’ expectations
Friday's trip to the Sunflower State produced some solid results for the Ankeny girls' track team. The Hawkettes won three events and placed second overall in the 13-team field at the Emporia State (Kan.) High School Relays with 128 points. Olathe (Kan.) North won the meet with 169 points. "Our purpose for attending this meet matches our program's … [Read more...] about Hawkettes win 3 events at Emporia St. Relays, surpass coaches’ expectations
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Maddison Balashaitis, Centennial junior
The junior defender plays the whole game despite battling an illness as the Jaguars drop a 3-2 decision to Pleasant Valley in the Crosstown Invitational girls' soccer tournament. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Maddison Balashaitis, Centennial junior
Jaguars win 4 events, earn 14 other top-3 finishes at unscored Dragon Invitational
The first outdoor meet of the season for the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team proved to be a successful one. The Jaguars won four events and had 14 other top-three finishes in the Dragon Invitational on Thursday at Johnston. No team scores were kept. "We took a large squad over there, and it was great to have so many girls competing," said … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4 events, earn 14 other top-3 finishes at unscored Dragon Invitational
‘Wayne State felt like a family’: Jaguars’ Miller to play volleyball for Wildcats
Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Delaney Miller has verbally committed to play for Wayne State College. Miller said she looked at several different schools in a variety of conferences and different divisions. "The recruiting process is long and complicated, and it was really tough trying to narrow down schools and try to find what was best for … [Read more...] about ‘Wayne State felt like a family’: Jaguars’ Miller to play volleyball for Wildcats
Centennial boys capture 7 events, including 4 relays, at Early Bird Relays
The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team won seven events in the Early Bird Relays on Thursday at Waukee Northwest. No team scores were kept at the meet, where Ankeny also competed. The Hawks withheld most of their top athletes with the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational coming up on Saturday. "We got some younger guys that have been working really hard … [Read more...] about Centennial boys capture 7 events, including 4 relays, at Early Bird Relays
‘We hope to make her proud’: Jaguars drop opener without coach Lewton
The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team opened the season on Thursday with an 8-3 loss to visiting Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference meet at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Jaguars were without head coach Tami Lewton, who has been hospitalized for the last several weeks as she battles a serious illness. Ankeny swimming coach Dustin Rhoads has joined … [Read more...] about ‘We hope to make her proud’: Jaguars drop opener without coach Lewton
‘We made many mistakes’: Jaguars open season with 4-3 loss at Urbandale
The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team won't have to wait long to get back onto the field. After dropping a 4-3 decision at Urbandale in their season opener on Thursday, the Jaguars will head to Iowa City West on Friday for three more contests this weekend. "It was not the start we were hoping for, but lots of good things came out of the game," said … [Read more...] about ‘We made many mistakes’: Jaguars open season with 4-3 loss at Urbandale
Ex-Centennial QB Gibson enters transfer portal, will leave Tennessee Tech
Hayes Gibson is looking for a new home. The former Ankeny Centennial quarterback announced this week on social media that he will be transferring. "I have entered my name into the transfer portal as a graduate transfer," Gibson tweeted on X Wednesday. "Thank you Tennessee Tech!" Gibson played in four games last season at Tennessee Tech, an NCAA … [Read more...] about Ex-Centennial QB Gibson enters transfer portal, will leave Tennessee Tech
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 253
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews the girls' soccer season with coaches Simon Brown of Ankeny and Chris Allen of Ankeny Centennial. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 253
‘I’m looking to play my game and be myself’: Bayless enters transfer portal
Former Ankeny basketball star Braxton Bayless has entered the transfer portal. Bayless, a 6-foot-2 guard, appeared in 29 games for Niagara this season, averaging 11.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists. The grad transfer will have one season of eligibility remaining. Bayless helped the Purple Eagles to a 16-16 record. He started only one game, but … [Read more...] about ‘I’m looking to play my game and be myself’: Bayless enters transfer portal
Hawks outlast Pella in shootout to give Fuccio dramatic win in coaching debut
Trevor Fuccio's head coaching debut with the Ankeny boys' soccer team produced a memorable result. Overcoming the miserable weather conditions, the Hawks outlasted visiting Pella, 2-1, in a shootout in a non-conference game on Tuesday. "It definitely feels good to get the win," said Fuccio. "But I hope they're not all this stressful." Ankeny won … [Read more...] about Hawks outlast Pella in shootout to give Fuccio dramatic win in coaching debut
Ankeny defensive back Mohrfeld to join Morrison on Grand View football team
Ankeny defensive back Jacob Mohrfeld has committed to play football at Grand View. Mohrfeld becomes the second Ankeny player in the Class of 2024 to join the Vikings' program. Linebacker Nolan Morrison previously committed to Grand View. Mohrfeld helped the Hawks to a 9-4 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A last season. He led his team with six … [Read more...] about Ankeny defensive back Mohrfeld to join Morrison on Grand View football team
With 6 returning all-conference players, Jaguars look to contend for 3A crown
Although one of its top returning players will miss the season due to an injury, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team still boasts a talented roster. Six all-conference players are back from last year's squad that posted a 10-7-1 record and advanced to the Class 3A state tournament. "Our returners have expressed a desire to make it back to state, … [Read more...] about With 6 returning all-conference players, Jaguars look to contend for 3A crown
Victor, Josten are back for Ankeny boys, who will rely heavily on newcomers
There will be a lot of new faces in the lineup for the Ankeny boys' tennis team this season. The Hawks return only two of their top six singles players from last year's squad that posted a 2-9 record, including a 1-7 mark in the CIML Conference. "It looks like a building year for our underclassmen and every senior expected to contribute significantly," … [Read more...] about Victor, Josten are back for Ankeny boys, who will rely heavily on newcomers
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jack Belding, Ankeny boys’ track
Ankeny senior Jack Belding is one of the state's top sprinters. He led the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the boys' Class 4A state track meet last season. Belding won a state title in the 400 in 47.94 seconds, equaling the 17th-fastest time in state history. He also placed third in the 200. Belding anchored Ankeny to a second-place finish in the sprint … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jack Belding, Ankeny boys’ track
Ankeny boys set 4 meet records, place 2nd overall at Marske Indoor Invitational
The Ankeny boys' track team set four meet records and placed second overall in the Ruth Marske Indoor Invitational on Saturday at Brookings, S.D. Sioux Falls (S.D.) Lincoln won the meet with 93.5 points. Defending champion Ankeny finished with 77 points, four more than Waukee Northwest. "We are firing on all cylinders right now!" said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys set 4 meet records, place 2nd overall at Marske Indoor Invitational
Jaguars return much of varsity lineup, but will have to replace state runner-up
Despite returning many of its varsity players, the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team will have to fill a gaping hole at the top of the Jaguars' lineup. Caleb Peterson graduated after posting a 20-1 record and placing second in the Class 2A state singles tournament a year ago. He took fifth as a junior and finished sixth in doubles while playing with Nic … [Read more...] about Jaguars return much of varsity lineup, but will have to replace state runner-up
‘I see a lot of potential in our golfers’: Jaguars return Drefke, 2 other regulars
Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke has already enjoyed a tremendous high school golf career. The Augustana University (S.D.) recruit now has one final season to close it out in style. "I know Payton will want to be one of the top golfers in the state," said Centennial coach John Petersen. Drefke is a two-time state placewinner. She tied for 15th … [Read more...] about ‘I see a lot of potential in our golfers’: Jaguars return Drefke, 2 other regulars