The drought is over. Ankeny finally has a state tennis champion. Top-seeded Kira Smith posted a 6-1, 6-2 victory over No. 2 Sescie Haan of Clinton to capture the Class 2A singles title on Saturday afternoon at Iowa City. She rolled through the two-day tournament without losing a set. Ankeny Centennial's Samara Peterson, meanwhile, finished in eighth … [Read more...] about ONE OF A KIND: Smith becomes city of Ankeny’s first-ever state tennis champion
Archives for May 2025
‘We just can’t take anything for granted’: Jaguars rout Roosevelt, advance to state
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There were two completely different vibes on the sideline after the first 40 minutes of play in Friday's Class 3A Region 3 girls' soccer championship game. The Ankeny Centennial players were dancing and clapping along with Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” blasting over the Ankeny Stadium speakers. The Des Moines Roosevelt … [Read more...] about ‘We just can’t take anything for granted’: Jaguars rout Roosevelt, advance to state
Smith tops Holland, will play Clinton’s Haan for Class 2A singles championship
Kira Smith is one win away from becoming the city of Ankeny's first-ever state tennis champion. The top-seeded Ankeny senior posted a 6-3, 6-3 victory over No. 4 Lily Holland of Cedar Rapids Jefferson in the semifinals of the Class 2A singles division at the girls' state tournament on Saturday morning at Iowa City. She will play for the title this … [Read more...] about Smith tops Holland, will play Clinton’s Haan for Class 2A singles championship
‘We just needed a little luck’: Hawkettes earn another trip to state on Macke’s goal
For much of Friday's game against visiting Cedar Falls, the ball didn't bounce right for the Ankeny girls' soccer team. The fifth-ranked Hawkettes struggled to find the net in a Class 3A regional final, and the chances of going to overtime grew more and more likely as the minutes ticked off the clock in the second half. "I was definitely worried," said … [Read more...] about ‘We just needed a little luck’: Hawkettes earn another trip to state on Macke’s goal
Wahlberg’s golden goal sends Hawks back to state tourney in dramatic fashion
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) No matter how the extra time golden goal went in, it was going to be either the game that got away from Ankeny or the major comeback effort that fell just short for visiting Des Moines Lincoln. But in back-to-back seasons, the Hawks will now head into the boys' Class 4A state soccer tournament off the back of a dramatic … [Read more...] about Wahlberg’s golden goal sends Hawks back to state tourney in dramatic fashion
Smith cruises into Class 2A semifinals, while Peterson becomes placewinner
The potential matchup between Ankeny senior Kira Smith and Ankeny Centennial junior Samara Peterson never materialized on Friday in the Class 2A singles bracket, but both players advanced to the second day of the girls' state tournament at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City. The top-seeded Smith cruised into the semifinals with a pair … [Read more...] about Smith cruises into Class 2A semifinals, while Peterson becomes placewinner
‘It was awesome!’: Hawkettes celebrate coach’s birthday with sweep over Waukee
The Ankeny softball players gave head coach Sarah Saladino a perfect birthday present. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes rebounded from Wednesday's season-opening loss to sweep a doubleheader on Thursday against visiting Waukee, the No. 11 team in Class 5A. They won by scores of 3-1 and 2-1 to give their first-year coach her first two victories with the … [Read more...] about ‘It was awesome!’: Hawkettes celebrate coach’s birthday with sweep over Waukee
Severs, Starr, Morris hurl Jaguars to doubleheader sweep at No. 2 Johnston
It's never easy to win on the road against the Johnston baseball team. Sweeping a doubleheader against the Dragons on their home turf is almost impossible. But that's exactly what Ankeny Centennial did on Thursday, posting back-to-back wins of 6-1 and 6-3 against the most dominant program in Class 4A over the last decade. "Our guys played very … [Read more...] about Severs, Starr, Morris hurl Jaguars to doubleheader sweep at No. 2 Johnston
‘The girls rebounded well’: Centennial sweeps doubleheader at No. 10 Johnston
The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team bounced back from a season-opening loss to sweep a doubleheader on Thursday at No. 10 Johnston. The Jaguars posted a 3-2 victory in the opener, then rolled to a 9-0 win in five innings in the nightcap. They are now 2-1 in the CIML Conference and overall, while Johnston's records dropped to 1-2 and … [Read more...] about ‘The girls rebounded well’: Centennial sweeps doubleheader at No. 10 Johnston
Struggling Hawks drop both games of doubleheader against No. 4 Waukee
The Ankeny baseball team dropped both games of a doubleheader against visiting Waukee on Thursday. The fourth-ranked Warriors posted a 6-3 victory in the first game, then completed the sweep with a 15-1 win in five innings. They improved to 3-0 in the CIML Conference and 9-0 overall, while Ankeny's records dropped to 0-3 and 0-7. Waukee has outscored … [Read more...] about Struggling Hawks drop both games of doubleheader against No. 4 Waukee
‘They were out for vengeance’: No. 6 Ames boys avenge loss, end Jaguars’ season
The Ames boys' soccer team that showed up for Thursday's Class 4A substate final was the same squad that lost to Ankeny Centennial 24 days ago on its home pitch. The sixth-ranked Little Cyclones just played with a lot more energy in the rematch. Ames avenged a 4-2 loss on May 5 by defeating No. 9 Centennial, 2-1, with a trip to the state tournament on … [Read more...] about ‘They were out for vengeance’: No. 6 Ames boys avenge loss, end Jaguars’ season
‘Having fresh legs is a huge benefit’: Ankeny gets some rest in rout over Rails
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It took just a tick under 7 minutes into the game for Alli Macke to score off a corner kick, and the rest was history. The fifth-ranked and top-seeded Ankeny girls' soccer team set a new season-high in goals after seven different players combined for nine goals in a shutout victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in a Class … [Read more...] about ‘Having fresh legs is a huge benefit’: Ankeny gets some rest in rout over Rails
‘It just didn’t work out tonight’: Jaguars open season with 4-3 loss at Waukee
While the Waukee softball team opened its season on Tuesday with a doubleheader sweep over Des Moines Lincoln, Ankeny Centennial wasn't as fortunate. The Jaguars were hoping to tune up for their CIML Conference opener at Waukee with a game at Norwalk, but Tuesday's non-conference contest was postponed due to rain. Without a game under its belt, … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t work out tonight’: Jaguars open season with 4-3 loss at Waukee
Jaguars’ late rally falls short as No. 4 Waukee holds on to remain unbeaten
A late rally by the Ankeny Centennial baseball team came up short in a 6-3 loss at fourth-ranked Waukee on Wednesday. Trailing 5-0, the Jaguars rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth inning and then had the tying runs in scoring position with one out, but Waukee pitcher Grant Sorensen worked his way out of the jam to preserve the win in the CIML … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ late rally falls short as No. 4 Waukee holds on to remain unbeaten
‘We came out strong right away’: Ankeny takes 4-0 lead before Dragons rally to win
The seventh-ranked Ankeny softball team jumped out to a 4-0 lead before No. 10 Johnston rallied for a 6-4 victory in a CIML Conference game on Wednesday at Ankeny. It was the season opener for both squads. "That's what it's going to be like every night," said first-year Ankeny coach Sarah Saladino. "Whether it's a single (game) or a doubleheader, … [Read more...] about ‘We came out strong right away’: Ankeny takes 4-0 lead before Dragons rally to win
No. 2 Dragons edge Davies, Ankeny to win pitchers’ duel in CIML Conference opener
The Ankeny baseball team took a big step forward on Wednesday. The Hawks opened CIML Conference play with a 3-1 loss to visiting Johnston, the No. 2 team in Class 4A. The Dragons (5-1) scored the go-ahead runs in the sixth inning. "It was a very well-played high school baseball game," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz, whose team dropped to 0-5 on the … [Read more...] about No. 2 Dragons edge Davies, Ankeny to win pitchers’ duel in CIML Conference opener
Jaguars cruise past depleted Urbandale squad, will host Roosevelt in regional final
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team took advantage of a depleted opponent on Wednesday to move one victory away from another trip to the Class 3A state tournament. The third-ranked Jaguars scored a season-high nine goals and rolled to a 9-0 victory over Urbandale in a Class 3A regional semifinal at Ankeny Stadium. The J-Hawks had not allowed more … [Read more...] about Jaguars cruise past depleted Urbandale squad, will host Roosevelt in regional final
Goals by Mujakovic, Byauunda lift Jaguars to substate victory over Marshalltown
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) In a game where the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team found chance after chance to put the ball in the back of the net, it felt like it was just a matter of time until one went its way. Goals by junior Alen Mujakovic and senior Kai Byauunda in the second half finally powered the ninth-ranked Jaguars to a 2-0 victory over … [Read more...] about Goals by Mujakovic, Byauunda lift Jaguars to substate victory over Marshalltown
‘We deserve it’: Ankeny boys roll past Cedar Falls behind Benge, Wahlberg
Cal Wahlberg and Landon Benge each scored a pair of goals to lead the Ankeny boys' soccer team to a 6-2 victory over visiting Cedar Falls in a Class 4A substate semifinal on a rainy Tuesday night. Austin Lundberg and Andrew Loder also found the net for the eighth-ranked Hawks, who matched their season-high of six goals in a win over Ames on April … [Read more...] about ‘We deserve it’: Ankeny boys roll past Cedar Falls behind Benge, Wahlberg
Petersen to resign as Centennial girls’ golf coach; Smith exits from AHS girls’ tennis
John Petersen and Steve Smith were both hired for head coaching positions in the Ankeny school district in the spring of 2019. Now, several years later, they are both departing at the same time. Petersen is planning to resign as the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf coach. He has yet to officially submit his resignation letter, but has told his golfers of … [Read more...] about Petersen to resign as Centennial girls’ golf coach; Smith exits from AHS girls’ tennis