Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for April 2025

‘I love the energy’: Beason, Mohrhauser run last Relays races; Zuber places 3rd

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For the first seven laps of the boys' 3,200 at the Drake Relays on Thursday, it appeared that Ankeny senior Ethan Zuber and Cedar Falls junior Jaden Merrick could be headed for another scintillating finish on the blue oval. Merrick and Zuber ran 1-2 almost the entire way--just like they did last year, when Zuber surged to the lead on the final lap before … [Read more...] about ‘I love the energy’: Beason, Mohrhauser run last Relays races; Zuber places 3rd

‘You want to get the best of the best’: Jags hire Delger, Harken to coach hoops teams

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Ankeny Centennial Activities Director Nate Lingren didn't have to look very far to find replacements for legendary basketball coaches Scott DeJong and Bob Fontana. Both of the Jaguars' new coaches were already in the building. Matt Delger, Fontana's former assistant, has been hired to take over the boys' program. He was introduced on Wednesday. "I … [Read more...] about ‘You want to get the best of the best’: Jags hire Delger, Harken to coach hoops teams

Geiselhart earns medalist honors, leads Jaguars past Ankeny in triangular meet

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team avenged one loss from six days ago and nearly avenged another one. The Jaguars shot a 183 in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Wednesday at Otter Creek, where they defeated crosstown rival Ankeny by nine strokes after losing to the Hawkettes by 12 shots in the Toni Dickey Invitational on the same course on April … [Read more...] about Geiselhart earns medalist honors, leads Jaguars past Ankeny in triangular meet

‘I love the fight’: Hawks use dramatic late rally to earn 3-3 tie against No. 5 Johnston

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Ankeny boys' soccer coach Trevor Fuccio wasn't happy with his team's effort in the early stages of Tuesday's game against visiting Johnston. The Hawks' performance over the last 10 minutes, though, more than made up for it. Ankeny scored two late goals in a dramatic rally to escape with a 3-3 tie against the two-time defending Class 4A state champions. … [Read more...] about ‘I love the fight’: Hawks use dramatic late rally to earn 3-3 tie against No. 5 Johnston

IGHSAU announces State Dual Meet Tourney coming to girls’ wrestling in 2027

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The Board of Directors at the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) unanimously approved the implementation of a girls' wrestling state dual tournament for the 2026-27 season. “A state dual meet tournament is something that our wrestling schools have wanted,” said IGHSAU Executive Director Erin Gerlich. “The impressive growth of girls' wrestling … [Read more...] about IGHSAU announces State Dual Meet Tourney coming to girls’ wrestling in 2027

‘The game plan didn’t work’: Mendez, No. 2 Dowling romp past Centennial boys, 7-2

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A week ago, the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team was mostly successful in containing high-scoring Ankeny forward Landon Benge. The Jaguars weren't as successful on Tuesday defending Dowling Catholic star Jonathan Mendez. Mendez erupted for four goals and two assists to lead the second-ranked Maroons to a 7-2 victory over No. 8 Centennial in a CIML … [Read more...] about ‘The game plan didn’t work’: Mendez, No. 2 Dowling romp past Centennial boys, 7-2

‘We put a lot of pressure on them’: Ankeny girls end drought in 2-0 win at Johnston

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The Ankeny girls' soccer team finally found the back of the net. After going scoreless in their last three games, the fourth-ranked Hawkettes got goals from Abby Steinkamp and Izzy Squires to post a 2-0 victory at No. 11 Johnston on Tuesday. "We put a lot of pressure on them," said Ankeny coach Simon Brown. "It's not easy to win on the road, but we … [Read more...] about ‘We put a lot of pressure on them’: Ankeny girls end drought in 2-0 win at Johnston

Jaguars finally solve Dowling’s defense, get late goal from freshman for 1-0 win

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One goal was all that the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team needed on Tuesday night. The third-ranked Jaguars finally got it with just under 10 minutes left to play on their home pitch. Adeline Kroska scored off an assist by Ava Martin, and Centennial went on to beat No. 10 Dowling Catholic, 1-0, in a CIML Conference game. "We felt if we could … [Read more...] about Jaguars finally solve Dowling’s defense, get late goal from freshman for 1-0 win

Centennial boys win 9 events, dominate Jaguar Invite to claim their 4th team title

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With the Drake Relays starting on Thursday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team could have elected to rest its qualifiers on Tuesday night. Head coach Nate Smith decided not to do that. Instead, Centennial relied on many of its regulars to easily win the Jaguar Invitational for its fourth team title of the season. The Jaguars racked up 156 points in … [Read more...] about Centennial boys win 9 events, dominate Jaguar Invite to claim their 4th team title

TENNIS ROUNDUP: Ankeny, Centennial squads get swept by Johnston, Dowling

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Tuesday was a rough night for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial tennis teams. All four squads suffered losses in CIML Conference play. At the Prairie Ridge courts, the Ankeny boys' team dropped an 11-0 decision to Johnston while the Centennial girls' squad was blanked by Dowling Catholic, 11-0. It was the fourth consecutive shutout loss for the Jaguars, … [Read more...] about TENNIS ROUNDUP: Ankeny, Centennial squads get swept by Johnston, Dowling

Jaguars place 2nd, Hawkettes finish 5th in Drake Relays tuneup at Weier Invitational

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Monday's Larry Weier Invitational at Dowling Catholic served as a final tuneup for the Drake Relays for six girls' track teams, including Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial. The Jaguars placed second overall with 168.5 points. Dowling won the meet for the third straight year, racking up 205.5 points. "The Dowling meet was a nice tuneup for the Drake Relays … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 2nd, Hawkettes finish 5th in Drake Relays tuneup at Weier Invitational

‘We didn’t play quite as well today’: AHS golfers finish 11th at Lamson Invitational

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Coming off a season-best score in the Toni Dickey Invitational on Thursday at Otter Creek, the Ankeny girls' golf team was hoping to play just as well in the Lamson Invitational on Monday at Willow Creek. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. The Hawkettes shot a 384 and finished 11th in the 17-team field. "We didn’t play quite as well today," said … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t play quite as well today’: AHS golfers finish 11th at Lamson Invitational

‘We continue to grow’: Depleted Jags gain experience in losses to Valley, Cedar Falls

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The depleted Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team traveled to the Byrnes Park Tennis Center in Waterloo on Monday and lost to a pair of tough opponents at the Cedar Falls Quadrangular. The Jaguars dropped an 11-0 decision to Valley in a CIML Conference meet, then fell to the host Tigers, 9-0, in a non-conference matchup. They are now 0-4 in the league and … [Read more...] about ‘We continue to grow’: Depleted Jags gain experience in losses to Valley, Cedar Falls

High school qualifiers announced for 115th running of Drake Relays

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The high school qualifiers for the 115th Drake Relays have been announced. All four of the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial squads will be well represented. Here are all of the Ankeny and Centennial qualifiers: BOYS 4x100 relay: Ankeny, Centennial 4x200 relay: Centennial 4x400 relay: Ankeny, Centennial 4x800 relay: Ankeny, Centennial Shuttle … [Read more...] about High school qualifiers announced for 115th running of Drake Relays

First boys’ soccer rankings announced: Surging Centennial is eighth in Class 4A

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Ankeny Centennial is eighth in Class 4A in the first rankings of the season from the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The rankings for all four classes will be determined through the regular season by official rankings committees, a process utilized in IHSAA football, basketball, and dual team wrestling. Each classification features a top 10 … [Read more...] about First boys’ soccer rankings announced: Surging Centennial is eighth in Class 4A

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Caleb Murray, Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer

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Senior midfielder/defender Caleb Murray has helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team to a 5-2 record, including a 2-1 mark in the CIML Conference. The Jaguars extended their winning streak to four games with a 2-0 victory over visiting Urbandale on Friday. Murray earned all-conference honorable mention as a junior for Centennial, which will travel … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Caleb Murray, Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer

Hawks win twice at Valley Invite as Benge, Wahlberg combine for 7 goals, 4 assists

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Ankeny boys' soccer coach Trevor Fuccio challenged his players to come away with a pair of wins this weekend. The Hawks responded in a big way. After posting a 3-0 triumph over Linn-Mar (Marion) on Friday at the Valley Invitational, Ankeny capped off the tournament Saturday with a 6-4 victory over previously unbeaten Ames. The Hawks are now 4-3 on the … [Read more...] about Hawks win twice at Valley Invite as Benge, Wahlberg combine for 7 goals, 4 assists

‘UNI was a perfect fit’: Rathjen to wrestle for Panthers, will reunite with Anderson

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Former Ankeny wrestling star Caleb Rathjen is heading to Cedar Falls. The two-time state champion announced that he will transfer to Northern Iowa. The ex-Iowa Hawkeye will have one season of eligibility remaining. "I was looking for a place close to home that I felt I fit on with the team and the culture, and UNI was a perfect fit," said … [Read more...] about ‘UNI was a perfect fit’: Rathjen to wrestle for Panthers, will reunite with Anderson