The way that her teammates were hitting the ball, Ankeny Centennial pitcher Lauren Gustofson didn't have to be perfect in the Jaguars' softball season opener on Monday. But the senior was anyway. Gustofson tossed a five-inning perfect game with 11 strikeouts as Centennial rolled to a 15-0 victory at Waukee in the opener of a CIML Conference … [Read more...] about HOP ON THE BUS, GUS: Senior tosses perfect game in Jaguars’ sweep
‘Uninspired’ Jaguars top C.B. Lincoln, advance to substate final vs. No. 4 NW
The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team earned the rematch that it wanted. The 10th-ranked Jaguars posted a 3-1 victory over Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Monday at Waukee Northwest. They raised their record to 8-5 and advanced to Wednesday's substate final at No. 4 Northwest (14-3) at 7 p.m. The Wolves followed … [Read more...] about ‘Uninspired’ Jaguars top C.B. Lincoln, advance to substate final vs. No. 4 NW
‘You can’t be anything but proud’: Hawks close out season with hard-fought loss
The Ankeny boys' soccer players left it all out on the field. The visiting Hawks battled second-ranked Johnston on even terms for much of the game before dropping a 2-0 decision in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Monday. They finished the season with a 4-10 record. "I'm super, super proud of not only the style of play, but the demeanor by which they … [Read more...] about ‘You can’t be anything but proud’: Hawks close out season with hard-fought loss
Ankeny Fanatic Coach of the Month: Jordan Mullen, Ankeny boys’ track
The first-year coach guides the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the Class 4A state meet after an epic battle against CIML rival Johnston. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Coach of the Month: Jordan Mullen, Ankeny boys’ track
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Payton Drefke, Centennial girls’ golf/softball
Ankeny Centennial junior Payton Drefke qualified for the girls' Class 4A state golf meet as an individual by placing third in a regional meet on Wednesday at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. She shot an 8-over-par 81 to lead the Jaguars to a fourth-place finish in the 10-team field. The state meet will be held on Thursday and Friday at Otter Creek Golf Course … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Payton Drefke, Centennial girls’ golf/softball
The Pratt & Glatt Show: Duo combines on 2-hitter with 6 K’s in Jaguars’ victory
It took two trips to Gilbert for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to post a 12-0 victory in five innings in a non-conference game last week. The second-ranked Jaguars built a 6-0 lead in the first two innings on Thursday before play was suspended due to rain. They returned 24 hours later to complete the game. "Gilbert's a good team," said Centennial … [Read more...] about The Pratt & Glatt Show: Duo combines on 2-hitter with 6 K’s in Jaguars’ victory
THE CIML RULES: Johnston boys edge Hawks in epic battle for Class 4A crown
It was an epic battle that neither team deserved to lose. In the end, though, the Ankeny boys' track squad was nosed out for the Class 4A state championship by one of its CIML rivals. Johnston edged the Hawks in the final two events, the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, to capture the title on a sunny Saturday at Drake Stadium. The Dragons racked up 84 points, … [Read more...] about THE CIML RULES: Johnston boys edge Hawks in epic battle for Class 4A crown
Ankeny girls break 42-year-old school record in 4×400 relay, finish 5th in 4A
On a gorgeous Saturday afternoon at Drake Stadium, the Ankeny girls' track team closed out the Class 4A state meet in style. The Hawkettes placed sixth in the 4x400 relay with a time of 3:54.26, breaking a school record that had stood since 1981. The team was comprised of Sophie Loeffler, Morgan Johnson, Zoe Shadravan and Alli Macke. Macke ran the … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls break 42-year-old school record in 4×400 relay, finish 5th in 4A
Centennial girls blank Cedar Falls, advance to final four of 2A team tourney
The magical season continued on Saturday for the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. The third-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 5-0 victory over No. 6 Cedar Falls in the opening round of the Class 2A state team tournament at the Prairie Ridge courts. The match was halted before doubles play even began after Centennial swept the first five singles matches to … [Read more...] about Centennial girls blank Cedar Falls, advance to final four of 2A team tourney
No. 7 C.R. Kennedy uses 10-run outburst in 1st inning to roll past Ankeny
A 10-run first inning helped the seventh-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy baseball team to an 11-0 victory at Ankeny in five innings on Saturday. The Cougars improved to 5-1 on the season. Ankeny dropped to 1-3. "It was a strange deal," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "They just hit it where we weren't. They scored five runs before we got an … [Read more...] about No. 7 C.R. Kennedy uses 10-run outburst in 1st inning to roll past Ankeny
Hawkettes settle for 2nd in DMR, trail Waukee NW by 1 point in 4A team race
Ankeny's Zoe Shadravan couldn't watch the final section of the girls' Class 4A distance medley relay on Friday at Drake Stadium. The defending champion Hawkettes had just won the second section in a time of 4:05.63, but they had to await the results of the fastest heat to determine their final placing. Shadravan and teammates Lillian Smith, Sophie … [Read more...] about Hawkettes settle for 2nd in DMR, trail Waukee NW by 1 point in 4A team race
Bettendorf rallies from 8-2 deficit to earn walk-off win over Ankeny in 9 innings
The Ankeny baseball team's first road trip of the season resulted in a disappointing loss. The Hawks built an 8-2 lead before Bettendorf rallied for a 10-9 victory in nine innings on Thursday. The Bulldogs (3-0) scored three runs in the fifth and three more in the seventh to force extra innings, then walked it off in the ninth. "We played really well … [Read more...] about Bettendorf rallies from 8-2 deficit to earn walk-off win over Ankeny in 9 innings
Ankeny boys place 3rd in DMR, 4×200 relays, stay in Class 4A title contention
A pair of top-three finishes helped keep the Ankeny boys' track team in contention for the Class 4A state title on Friday at Drake Stadium. The Hawks sit in fourth place with 30 points heading into the final day of the meet. Johnston leads the Class 4A field with 47 points, followed by Linn-Mar (Marion) with 45 and Iowa City High with 41. There are … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys place 3rd in DMR, 4×200 relays, stay in Class 4A title contention
‘It feels amazing!’: Pratt leaps to first individual state title in Jaguars’ history
Ankeny Centennial's Jaeden Pratt wasn't even planning to go out for track until her basketball teammate, Mya Crawford, talked her into it. Now, the sophomore owns the distinction of becoming the first individual girls' state track champion in program history. Pratt won the Class 4A long jump on Friday at Drake Stadium with a leap of 18 feet 1 inch. Her … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing!’: Pratt leaps to first individual state title in Jaguars’ history
‘It’s something I’ll never forget’: Ankeny’s Belding races to 4A state crown in 400
A year ago, Ankeny's Jack Belding watched as teammate Tyrese Miller raced to a victory in the 400 at the Class 4A state meet. On Thursday at Drake Stadium, Belding accomplished the same feat. The junior came out of Lane 2 to win the event in a time of 47.94 seconds. He nearly broke the school record of 47.91 that Miller set at last year's Drake … [Read more...] about ‘It’s something I’ll never forget’: Ankeny’s Belding races to 4A state crown in 400
Ankeny girls capture 4×800 relay title, take Class 4A lead with 27 points
Alli Macke could hardly walk after anchoring Ankeny's 4x800 relay team to a Class 4A state title on Thursday at Drake Stadium. "It really takes a toll on my body, but it's totally worth it to be standing here as state champs with my best friends," said Macke. The sophomore teamed up with Sophie Loeffler, Reagan Prendergast and Drew Beason to win the … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls capture 4×800 relay title, take Class 4A lead with 27 points
Hawks earn split against No. 6 Pleasant Valley with 2-1 victory in nightcap
A season-opening split was just fine with Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz. The Hawks kicked off the 2023 season on Wednesday by splitting a non-conference twinbill against visiting Pleasant Valley, the No. 6 team in Class 4A. After dropping a 5-3 decision in the opener, Ankeny rebounded with a 2-1 win in the nightcap. The Spartans (2-1), who won the … [Read more...] about Hawks earn split against No. 6 Pleasant Valley with 2-1 victory in nightcap
SOFTBALL CAN WAIT: Drefke shoots an 81, qualifies for state golf meet
The Ankeny Centennial softball team will have to wait a little longer for Payton Drefke to make her season debut. Drefke, a starting outfielder for the Jaguars, earned her second consecutive trip to the girls' Class 4A state golf meet on Wednesday. The junior shot an 8-over-par 81 to place third in a regional meet at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. "I'm … [Read more...] about SOFTBALL CAN WAIT: Drefke shoots an 81, qualifies for state golf meet
Hawkette golfers place 5th in regional meet as Hagarty’s tenure at Ankeny ends
The season ended on Wednesday for the Ankeny girls' golf team. A long trip to Waterloo for a Class 4A regional meet also marked the end of Seth Hagarty's coaching tenure at the school. Hagarty, who has also served as an assistant coach for the girls' basketball program, is moving back to Jesup this summer to be closer to both his and his wife's … [Read more...] about Hawkette golfers place 5th in regional meet as Hagarty’s tenure at Ankeny ends
Jaguars seek return to Class 5A state tournament after one-year absence
After a one-year absence, the Ankeny Centennial softball team will be looking to return to Fort Dodge for the Class 5A state tournament this summer. The Jaguars placed third in Class 5A in 2020 and earned a runner-up finish in 2021. Last year, they advanced to a regional final before Linn-Mar (Marion) erupted for seven runs in the sixth inning to post a … [Read more...] about Jaguars seek return to Class 5A state tournament after one-year absence