Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for March 2025

Jaguars win 4 events, rack up 182 points vs. 7 other teams at Sherwood Relays

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team earned a fourth-place finish in the Sherwood Relays on Saturday at Iowa City High. The Jaguars won four events and racked up 182 points while competing against seven other squads. Cedar Falls won the team title with 360 points, finishing 90 points ahead of Southeast Polk. "We had another great day of … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4 events, rack up 182 points vs. 7 other teams at Sherwood Relays

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddison Balashaitis, ACHS girls’ soccer

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Senior defender Maddison Balashaitis is one of the top returning players for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. She helped the Jaguars to a 13-7 record last season and a trip to the Class 3A state tournament, where she was named to the all-tournament team. Balashaitis scored three goals and also had an assist while helping her squad record six … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddison Balashaitis, ACHS girls’ soccer

Carlson breaks school record in hurdles, qualifies for Drake along with Zuber

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Two days after helping the Ankeny boys' shuttle hurdle relay team to a school record, junior Hayden Carlson set another mark on Saturday. Carlson raced to a second-place finish in the 110 hurdles at the Ruth Marske Indoor Invitational, which was held at South Dakota State University. He posted a time of 14.36 seconds. Teammates Gavin Wise (15.64) and … [Read more...] about Carlson breaks school record in hurdles, qualifies for Drake along with Zuber

‘We are very deep’: Petersen optimistic about potential for Centennial golfers

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Despite graduating three seniors from last year's varsity lineup, the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team still boasts plenty of depth. There are 22 golfers on the roster, led by a trio of returning regulars in seniors Kate Geiselhart and Kaylee Sprecher and sophomore Cate Trewet. "We are very deep," said Centennial coach John Petersen. "We have a … [Read more...] about ‘We are very deep’: Petersen optimistic about potential for Centennial golfers

Centennial girls win 4 events at Dragon Invitational, including pair of relays

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team won four events in the Dragon Invitational on Thursday at Johnston. Five other squads competed at the meet. No team scores were kept, but Centennial coach Tyler Asbe was elated afterwards. "We had a beautiful night to compete, and our girls had some strong performances," said Asbe. "It was a great meet to get our … [Read more...] about Centennial girls win 4 events at Dragon Invitational, including pair of relays

Jaguars win 9 events at Early Bird Relays; Hawks ‘set the tone’ in shuttle hurdle

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams made some strong statements on Thursday at the Waukee Northwest Early Bird Relays. No team scores were kept, but the Jaguars turned in a dominant performance. They won nine events, including four relays. The Hawks, meanwhile, had three victories--and two of them were particularly impressive. Ethan … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 9 events at Early Bird Relays; Hawks ‘set the tone’ in shuttle hurdle

‘I’m very excited for the opportunity’: Menadue hired to coach Centennial boys

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A former Ankeny standout has been hired to take over the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis program. Grant Menadue, a state doubles qualifier in 2013, will replace the late Tami Lewton--who passed away last June after a courageous five-month battle against cancer. Lewton coached the team for eight seasons. "Coach Lewton was a very special coach and person … [Read more...] about ‘I’m very excited for the opportunity’: Menadue hired to coach Centennial boys

‘We are all ready to go’: Ankeny golfers gear up for their 2nd season under Emke

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With a year under her belt, Kelley Emke is ready for her second season as the Ankeny girls' golf coach. "I definitely feel more comfortable in my role this year," said Emke. "There was so much to learn last year that I often felt like I was always coming up on new challenges. This year I think we are all ready to go. We know the expectations, we know what … [Read more...] about ‘We are all ready to go’: Ankeny golfers gear up for their 2nd season under Emke

‘It was an amazing run’: DeJong retires after 37 seasons, record 7 state titles

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When Scott DeJong came to Ankeny in 1993 to take over the girls' basketball program, he replaced a legendary coach in Dick Rasmussen. Now, more than three decades later, DeJong has put an end to his own legendary career. The only head coach in Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball history, DeJong announced his retirement on Tuesday--shortly after giving … [Read more...] about ‘It was an amazing run’: DeJong retires after 37 seasons, record 7 state titles

THE END OF AN ERA: Jaguars’ coaching legend DeJong announces retirement

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Girls' basketball coaching legend Scott DeJong of Ankeny Centennial has retired after 37 seasons, including the last 12 with the Jaguars. DeJong turned in his resignation letter to Activities Director Nate Lingren on Tuesday afternoon. "I had thought I would be doing this, but when it came down to it, I had a hard time writing the letter," DeJong said. … [Read more...] about THE END OF AN ERA: Jaguars’ coaching legend DeJong announces retirement

‘I need to catch my breath’: Fontana steps down from Jags’ program after 12 years

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The only head coach in Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball history has stepped down from the program. Bob Fontana has resigned from his position after guiding the Jaguars to a 173-101 record over the last 12 seasons. "Not many coaches can say they got to come home and start a new program in a new school," said Fontana, who compiled a 474-299 mark … [Read more...] about ‘I need to catch my breath’: Fontana steps down from Jags’ program after 12 years

Crawford, Pratt to play in Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at DC-G

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Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball standouts Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt will both compete in the 2025 Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Crawford and Pratt will both play for the Southwest Iowa team that will be coached by Maddie Gelber of Roland-Story and Jon Weinrich of Shenandoah. North Polk senior Abby Tuttle will also … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt to play in Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at DC-G

Jaguars win 4×400 relay, Ankeny’s Badillo ties for 1st in high jump at Central Indoor

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams competed in the Central College Indoor Meet on Friday at Pella, and each squad came away with a victory. The Jaguars won the 4x400 relay with a time of 4:14.06. They won the race by more than 2 seconds over Southeast Polk. The highlight of Ankeny's day came in the high jump, where Mila Badillo … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4×400 relay, Ankeny’s Badillo ties for 1st in high jump at Central Indoor

Ankeny girls’ team returns several players, adds 2-time state qualifier Smith to lineup

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The Ankeny girls' tennis team has been strengthened by the addition of a two-time state qualifier. She's also a familiar face to the program. Senior Kira Smith, the daughter of Ankeny coach Steve Smith, has rejoined the squad after spending last year at a tennis academy in Florida. "She’s home this semester so she can graduate from Ankeny High … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ team returns several players, adds 2-time state qualifier Smith to lineup

‘The margins are so thin’: UNI’s Anderson falls one win shy of all-American status

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Former Ankeny wrestling star Trever Anderson nearly earned all-American honors in his NCAA Championship debut at 125 pounds. A redshirt sophomore at Northern Iowa, Anderson bounced back from a first-round loss on Thursday with three consecutive victories in the consolation bracket at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. He advanced to the blood round on … [Read more...] about ‘The margins are so thin’: UNI’s Anderson falls one win shy of all-American status

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Landon Pote, Ankeny boys’ track

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Senior Landon Pote is one of 12 returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny boys' track team. He helped the Hawks to the Class 4A championship a year ago for the program's first state title since 1972. Pote placed third in the high jump with a leap of 6 feet 3 inches and finished seventh in the 110 hurdles in 15.08 seconds. He also teamed up with Sam … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Landon Pote, Ankeny boys’ track

Centennial girls focus on spring season, prepare for switch to fall tennis in August

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Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson will be spending a lot of time with her players over the next several months. Tryouts for the spring season begin on Monday for the Jaguars, who will then transition to a fall season in August under schedule changes from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union for 2025-26. "So far, our numbers for … [Read more...] about Centennial girls focus on spring season, prepare for switch to fall tennis in August

‘These kids genuinely enjoy each other’: Jags look to have fun while chasing title

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Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players Maddison Balashaitis, Addison Fair, Olivia Kroska and Ava Martin have all experienced the joy of holding up a state championship trophy. The four seniors all saw some action as freshmen on the Jaguars' Class 3A title team in 2022. "Experience and joy will be huge strengths for our team," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘These kids genuinely enjoy each other’: Jags look to have fun while chasing title