Ankeny Centennial junior Olivia Kroska is headed to the Mile High City in the fall of 2025.
Kroska, a midfielder, has committed to play Division I soccer for the University of Denver.
“I looked at quite a few schools, and they were all in different areas,” said Kroska. “It was a little hard at first to wrap my head around being so far away from family and friends, but from the minute I stepped on campus I knew Denver was the place for me. I really just love the Denver area and all there is to do with the city and especially the mountains.”
The Pioneers are members of the Summit League.
“I really liked the coaches and who they are as people, and the team just had such a good competitive yet fun environment,” Kroska said.
Kroska helped Centennial to the Class 3A state title as a freshman in 2022, when she contributed four goals and three assists. She earned all-conference honorable mention.
As a sophomore, Kroska helped the Jaguars to a 10-7-1 record and another trip to the state tournament. She was named to the CIML Conference third team after racking up five goals and five assists.
Kroska will miss the 2024 season due to a left knee injury.
“Unfortunately, I tore my ACL and a part of my meniscus,” she said. “So I won’t be able to play this spring, which I am very bummed about. But (Centennial coach Chris) Allen says he has a special way for me to continue to help the team so I’m excited to take on that new role even though it’s not what I was planning on.”