Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for December 2024

‘We had a great couple of days’: Ankeny girls earn 3rd-place finish at Donnybrook

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The Dan Gable Donnybrook proved to be a valuable experience for the Ankeny girls' wrestling team. Third-ranked Ankeny placed third among 44 teams in the tournament on Thursday and Friday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, finishing with 277 points. Coach Dustin Roland's team had six top-10 finishers. "We had a great couple of days competing with some … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great couple of days’: Ankeny girls earn 3rd-place finish at Donnybrook

‘I just think we executed better’: Aguirre, Hawks rally past Centennial in 2nd half

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't panic when it fell behind at halftime, 28-23, against its visiting archrival on Friday. The Hawks knew there was still plenty of time to make a comeback. Rio Aguirre scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half and Ankeny dominated the final 16 minutes of the game to post a 58-48 victory over Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘I just think we executed better’: Aguirre, Hawks rally past Centennial in 2nd half

‘I thought we showed some maturity’: Jaguars hand Ankeny girls their first loss

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It wasn't difficult for Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong to get the attention of his players following Tuesday's overtime loss to Waukee Northwest. The fifth-ranked Jaguars responded on Friday with a 44-33 victory at No. 7 Ankeny in a CIML Conference matchup. It was Centennial's third straight win in the series after dropping two of … [Read more...] about ‘I thought we showed some maturity’: Jaguars hand Ankeny girls their first loss

‘We knew this would be a challenge’: Hawk swimmers fall at Waukee by 1 point

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Thursday's CIML Conference dual meet at the Waukee Natatorium came down to the final event. In the end, Waukee won the 400 freestyle relay and also got a third-place finish from its "B" unit to edge visiting Ankeny, 85.5-84.5, in the boys' swimming matchup. "It was tough to lose this meet that way as we were ahead the entire way up until the final … [Read more...] about ‘We knew this would be a challenge’: Hawk swimmers fall at Waukee by 1 point

‘That was huge’: Smith’s fall helps Jaguars open season with 40-39 win over Wolves

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With a 34-28 lead through the first 11 matches on Thursday, the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers were in position to knock off fifth-ranked Waukee Northwest in their season opener. However, the visiting Wolves had a trio of ranked wrestlers lined up for the final three matches, meaning that Centennial needed to pull off an upset in order to win the CIML … [Read more...] about ‘That was huge’: Smith’s fall helps Jaguars open season with 40-39 win over Wolves

‘I saw what I wanted to see’: Ankeny wrestlers thump Valley in opener, 53-19

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) From the start of the very first practice to late February, everything is done with the plan to succeed by the time the state wrestling tournament arrives. The Ankeny wrestling team is already prepping for February as the Hawks found big success in their first of three days of competition this week with a season-opening … [Read more...] about ‘I saw what I wanted to see’: Ankeny wrestlers thump Valley in opener, 53-19

Ankeny girls’ bowling squad tops J-Hawks by 57 pins, while boys’ team drops opener

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The Ankeny bowling teams came away with a split in their season opener against Urbandale on Thursday at Game Day Lanes. The girls' squad defeated the J-Hawks by a score of 2,155 to 2,098 in the CIML Conference dual meet. Johanna Shaw led the way with a two-game series of 349. Olivia Harris bowled a 309, Savannah Dye had a 280, Kali Ogg rolled a 248, … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ bowling squad tops J-Hawks by 57 pins, while boys’ team drops opener

Ski-U-Mah!: Centennial softball star Kennedy commits to play for Minnesota

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Ankeny Centennial softball star Jordyn Kennedy is headed to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The junior announced on Thursday that she has verbally committed to play for Minnesota, beginning in the fall of 2026. She becomes the second player in Centennial history to commit to the Gophers, following in the footsteps of Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union … [Read more...] about Ski-U-Mah!: Centennial softball star Kennedy commits to play for Minnesota

Aguirre pours in 30 points, but Valley uses late run to seal 76-65 victory in opener

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There’s nothing like opening up the season with a bang, and the Ankeny boys' basketball team had just that. Powered by a career-high 30-point outing from junior guard Rio Aguirre, the new-look Hawks went out on the road and nearly knocked off two-time reigning Class 4A state champion Valley, but were outlasted in the home … [Read more...] about Aguirre pours in 30 points, but Valley uses late run to seal 76-65 victory in opener

‘It was definitely a little bit weird’: Baldwin, Hawkettes defeat Valley for 4-0 start

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For junior forward Reagan Baldwin, it felt a little weird being the opposition rather than the home team inside the Valley High School gym. Baldwin, who transferred to Ankeny from Valley after her sophomore season, stepped foot back in her old stomping grounds on Tuesday and played a key role in helping the eighth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘It was definitely a little bit weird’: Baldwin, Hawkettes defeat Valley for 4-0 start

‘They’re a very talented team’: Wolves cruise past Centennial boys in opener

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The Waukee Northwest boys' basketball team is as good as advertised. The Wolves, bolstered by the addition of multiple transfers in the offseason, jumped out to a 15-4 lead in the first quarter and cruised to a 60-38 victory at CIML Conference rival Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday. It was the season opener for both squads. "They're a very talented team … [Read more...] about ‘They’re a very talented team’: Wolves cruise past Centennial boys in opener

‘I think it was very humbling’: Jags open CIML play with OT loss to Waukee NW

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Mya Crawford sat in the bleachers with an icepack on her foot following Tuesday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest. It was that kind of night for the senior guard and the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. Crawford scored 18 points, but her desperation heave at the buzzer bounced off the backboard and the third-ranked Jaguars dropped a … [Read more...] about ‘I think it was very humbling’: Jags open CIML play with OT loss to Waukee NW

Bauer re-enters transfer portal, will look for new school to play his final season

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Former Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer has re-entered the transfer portal. Bauer, who played three seasons at Central Michigan before transferring to Sam Houston last December, announced on Tuesday that he will play his final season elsewhere. His departure comes two days after Sam Houston coach K.C. Keeler announced that he is stepping down, effective … [Read more...] about Bauer re-enters transfer portal, will look for new school to play his final season

‘I’m having a lot of fun’: Baldwin helps Hawkettes past Des Moines Christian

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It's been a smooth transition onto the Ankeny girls' basketball team for former Valley player Reagan Baldwin. The junior forward scored nine points on Monday to help the eighth-ranked Hawkettes to a 50-36 victory in a non-conference game at Des Moines Christian. "I'm having a lot of fun playing with everyone," said Baldwin. Baldwin has averaged nine … [Read more...] about ‘I’m having a lot of fun’: Baldwin helps Hawkettes past Des Moines Christian

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Finn Stukerjurgen, Ankeny boys’ swimming

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Senior Finn Stukerjurgen is a five-time state qualifier for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. He helped the Hawks to a third-place finish in the season-opening Sprint Invitational on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. Stukerjurgen placed fifth in the 100 individual medley with a time of 56.76 seconds and finished third in the 50 backstroke in 26.01. He … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Finn Stukerjurgen, Ankeny boys’ swimming

THE END OF AN ERA: Ex-Jaguar star Robinson to play in final NCAA Tourney

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Former Ankeny Centennial volleyball star Devyn Robinson will try to close out her collegiate career in style. The fifth-year senior is headed to the NCAA Tournament along with second-seeded Wisconsin, which was placed in the Nebraska regional when the NCAA pairings were announced on Sunday. The Badgers (23-6) have earned a bid to the tournament for the … [Read more...] about THE END OF AN ERA: Ex-Jaguar star Robinson to play in final NCAA Tourney

Minnesota State women’s soccer team reaches Elite Eight of NCAA Tournament

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The Minnesota State women's soccer team is headed to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division II national tournament for the third time in program history. The Mavericks (17-1-6) prevailed in a nail-biting Central Region match against Central Missouri on Sunday, securing their spot in the quarterfinals with a thrilling 1-0 overtime win at South Recreation … [Read more...] about Minnesota State women’s soccer team reaches Elite Eight of NCAA Tournament

Jaguars shut down Pleasant Valley in opener, give DeJong his 700th career win

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The 700th career victory for Ankeny Centennial's Scott DeJong followed a familiar script. The legendary girls' basketball coach reached the milestone on Saturday when the third-ranked Jaguars opened their season by winning a defensive battle against No. 5 Pleasant Valley, 39-26, at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. "It was two good teams … [Read more...] about Jaguars shut down Pleasant Valley in opener, give DeJong his 700th career win