Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for March 2025

‘We have a lot of talent all around’: Jaguars boast 12 returning state qualifiers

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The first outdoor meet is still two weeks away for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team, but the balmy spring weather has already allowed the Jaguars to spend a lot of time outside on the track. "The weather has been great," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "We've been lucky to be able to be outside since the first day of practice." Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘We have a lot of talent all around’: Jaguars boast 12 returning state qualifiers

Crawford, Pratt, Williams earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers

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Girls' basketball standouts Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial have earned some more all-state honors along with Ankeny star Jayla Williams. Crawford was a repeat selection to the Class 5A first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Pratt was named to the Class 5A second team for the third consecutive year, while Williams was … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt, Williams earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers

Centennial girls’ track team earns four top-10 finishes at Dickinson Relays

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team earned four top-10 finishes in the Dickinson Relays on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The Jaguars' highest finish came in the 4x800 relay. They placed third in that event with a time of 9:55.90. Bella Hodges took fourth in the 800. She was clocked in 2:28.51. Anna Woods tied for fifth in the high … [Read more...] about Centennial girls’ track team earns four top-10 finishes at Dickinson Relays

‘It’s time to make some noise!’: Hawks appear loaded for another run at 4A title

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Ankeny boys' track coach Jordan Mullen has already put 2024 behind him. The Hawks' record-setting performance in last year's Class 4A state meet won't mean anything when the 2025 season begins on Thursday with the ISU Indoor Meet at Ames. "In our preseason meeting I spoke about last year with the kids and how special of a year it was, and how that … [Read more...] about ‘It’s time to make some noise!’: Hawks appear loaded for another run at 4A title

Jaguars win 4×200 relay at Dickinson Relays, also compete at Wartburg

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team competed in a pair of indoor meets on Monday. The Jaguars tied for ninth place with 17 points in the Wartburg College meet at Waverly. Waverly-Shell Rock captured the team title with 82 points. Centennial also competed in the Dickinson Relays at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The Jaguars won the 4x200 relay in a … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4×200 relay at Dickinson Relays, also compete at Wartburg

‘I have high expectations’: McGrew to wrestle for Simpson College, McGinness

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Ankeny girls' wrestling standout Haylee McGrew is hoping to reach her potential at the collegiate level. Perhaps an Iowa wrestling legend will help her get there. McGrew has verbally committed to wrestle at Simpson College, which started its program in February of 2022 by naming Jeff McGinness the team's first head coach. The Storm completed its third … [Read more...] about ‘I have high expectations’: McGrew to wrestle for Simpson College, McGinness

Anderson places 7th at Big 12 Tourney, earns trip to NCAA Championships

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Former Ankeny standout Trever Anderson has qualified for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. A redshirt sophomore at Northern Iowa, Anderson automatically qualified with a seventh-place finish at 125 pounds in the Big 12 Championships last weekend at Tulsa, Okla. After splitting his first four matches in the tournament, Anderson was locked in … [Read more...] about Anderson places 7th at Big 12 Tourney, earns trip to NCAA Championships

Crawford again named to 5A 1st team; Two others earn repeat 2nd-team honors

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There were a lot of familiar names on the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association's all-state girls' basketball teams that were announced on Monday. Some of the players were named to the same squads for the second year in a row, including senior stars Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial and versatile junior Jayla Williams of Ankeny. Crawford was … [Read more...] about Crawford again named to 5A 1st team; Two others earn repeat 2nd-team honors

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Aidan Beck, Ankeny Christian boys’ basketball

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Senior center Aidan Beck helped the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 17-8 record this season. The Eagles advanced to a Class 1A substate final before dropping a 66-46 decision to second-ranked Madrid on March 1 at the Knapp Center. Beck averaged 9.0 points and a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game. He led the Eagles with 11 blocks and … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Aidan Beck, Ankeny Christian boys’ basketball

Ankeny’s Gage to play alongside Jags’ duo of Crawford, Pratt in Senior All-Star Game

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Ankeny's Savannah Gage has been selected to play in the Larry Niemeyer Senior All-Star Game along with fellow girls' basketball standouts Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial. The event will be held on Saturday at Cedar Falls. It will consist of a series of six all-star games, beginning at 9:15 a.m. Crawford, Gage and Pratt will all play … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Gage to play alongside Jags’ duo of Crawford, Pratt in Senior All-Star Game

A CHANGE OF PLANS: Ankeny’s Lindaman to join women’s rowing program at Kansas

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When Ankeny swimmer Gracie Lindaman committed to join the women's rowing program at Iowa, she thought she'd be spending the next four years of her life in Iowa City. "I loved their staff, had some great connections with some of the other freshmen recruits, and I was familiar with campus," Lindaman said. Everything changed, though, just 24 hours before … [Read more...] about A CHANGE OF PLANS: Ankeny’s Lindaman to join women’s rowing program at Kansas

Crawford, Pratt, Williams earn all-CIML Conference first-team honors for 2nd time

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Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball stars Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt have been named to the CIML Conference first team along with Ankeny standout Jayla Williams. Crawford was a unanimous pick for the second straight year, while Williams was again a repeat selection. Pratt also earned first-team honors for the second time; she was previously honored as … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt, Williams earn all-CIML Conference first-team honors for 2nd time

Ankeny’s Bernholtz to join teammate Hill in Iowa Central’s football recruiting class

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Karsten Bernholtz didn't join the Ankeny football team until his senior year. The defensive end made enough of an impact, though, to earn an opportunity to take his skills to the next level. Bernholtz has committed to play next year for Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. He becomes the second Hawk in the Tritons' recruiting class, following … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Bernholtz to join teammate Hill in Iowa Central’s football recruiting class

Johnson leads MSU Moorhead to NSIC Tournament crown, earns MVP honors

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When the college basketball season tipped off, former Ankeny star Carson Johnson wasn't even expected to play for the MSU Moorhead squad. "The plan for me at the start of the year was to redshirt," said Johnson, a freshman guard. "Then our two great older guards got injured, and that’s when they asked if I wanted to pull my redshirt." Johnson was … [Read more...] about Johnson leads MSU Moorhead to NSIC Tournament crown, earns MVP honors

‘Tremendous’ four-year run for Centennial seniors ends with loss to potent Dragons

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Scott DeJong stood in the media interview room in the bowels of Wells Fargo Arena and beamed with pride even though the season had just ended for his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. "It's just been a tremendous run with these guys," DeJong said of his nine seniors. "They're my type of team. They play hard, they compete, and they work together. … [Read more...] about ‘Tremendous’ four-year run for Centennial seniors ends with loss to potent Dragons

‘There’s no margin for error’: Jaguars fall to No. 1 Johnston in Class 5A semifinals

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The fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team ended its season on Thursday with a 61-42 loss to No. 1 Johnston in the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mya Crawford and Ava Martin each had 13 points for the Jaguars, who finished the season at 17-8. Jaeden Pratt added six points and seven rebounds. "I was … [Read more...] about ‘There’s no margin for error’: Jaguars fall to No. 1 Johnston in Class 5A semifinals

Wehde helps Dutch to ARC tourney title, 12th trip to NCAA Div. III Championship

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For the 12th time in program history, the Central College men's basketball team is heading to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. The Dutch qualified after winning the American Rivers Conference tournament championship over Nebraska Wesleyan University, 68-57, on Saturday. The squad was picked to go to St. Louis and take on No. 13-ranked … [Read more...] about Wehde helps Dutch to ARC tourney title, 12th trip to NCAA Div. III Championship

The CIML Invitational: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

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The girls' Class 5A state basketball tournament--also known as the CIML Conference Invitational--resumes on Thursday morning with a semifinal doubleheader at Wells Fargo Arena. All four of the highest seeds from the CIML Conference posted victories in Monday's quarterfinals by an average of 16 points. That means that Friday's championship game will be an … [Read more...] about The CIML Invitational: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

‘They all showed they cared’: Iowa Central coaches convince Hill to become a Triton

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Ankeny linebacker Tristan Hill has committed to play football at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Hill helped the Hawks to a 6-5 record and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals last season. "I looked at quite a few schools all the way from JUCO and NAIA up to D2 so I got to experience the different levels a little bit throughout my … [Read more...] about ‘They all showed they cared’: Iowa Central coaches convince Hill to become a Triton