Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer star Tate Duax has been named the 2025-26 Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year.
Duax was told that he won the award following his training session with the Des Moines Menace on Friday morning.
“My initial reaction was how blessed I am and how good it felt to be named Gatorade Player of the Year,” Duax said.
Duax, a forward, enjoyed a sensational senior season. He led all of Class 4A with 28 goals, 21 assists and 77 points while helping the Jaguars to a 17-1-2 record.
Duax led Centennial to the CIML Conference championship and a runner-up finish in Class 4A. He was named to the Class 4A all-tournament team after the Jaguars dropped a 3-1 decision to Waukee Northwest in the title game on June 5 at Mediacom Stadium.
Duax earned all-state honors for the third time, landing a spot on the Class 4A first team for the second straight year. He was also a repeat pick to the all-conference first team.
“This is the best way to end my high school career,” Duax said.
Duax left Ankeny as a freshman to join the Austin FC Academy, where he helped the U-15 team to the championship of the 2023 Generation Adidas Cup. He returned home in the spring of 2024 and joined the Jaguars’ squad at midseason.
Duax flourished at Centennial under the coaching of his father, Brian. He will play for Northeastern University in the fall.
“I’m very proud of him,” said Brian Duax. “Big things are coming for that young man.”
Ranked as the Heartland Region’s No. 26 recruit by TopDrawer Soccer, Duax was a 2025 ECNL Heartland Conference U17 first-team selection during club play. He is also a finalist for Sports Illustrated’s Iowa Class 4A Player of the Year.
Duax has volunteered locally as a mentor for special needs children and on behalf of the Special Olympics. He’s also become a passionate advocate for the foster child community following his family’s hosting of a foster child for the past year.
On the field, Duax constantly produced for the Jaguars despite often being double- or triple-teamed by opposing defenders.
“Tate impacts the game in so many ways,” said Des Moines Lincoln coach Joe Sithonnorath. “He consistently puts himself in dangerous positions, creates opportunities and is a complete finisher. If we’re being microscopic, Tate is simply the state’s most well-rounded player; better movement, better involvement, better finishing profile.”