The Harrison Barnes Gym at Ames' new high school could become a tough place to play for opposing basketball teams. That wasn't the case on Friday for the Ankeny boys' squad. The visiting Hawks pulled away in the second half for a 64-50 victory over Ames in a non-conference game. The defending Class 4A state champion Little Cyclones (2-1) suffered their … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys pull away in 2nd half, hand defending champions their 1st loss
Ex-Jaguar Phipps leaves Drake, will transfer to Colorado Christian University
Former Ankeny Centennial basketball star Maggie Phipps is transferring from Drake to Colorado Christian University. Phipps, a sophomore guard, said she decided to enter the transfer portal after thinking about it for several months. "It was a very tough decision that I have been praying about since last February," said Phipps. "I know many people may … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Phipps leaves Drake, will transfer to Colorado Christian University
Hawkettes rout Ames, set school record for most points in five-player game
Coming off a pair of tough losses, the Ankeny girls' basketball team needed a little bit of a break. The Hawkettes' schedule provided one on Friday. Tenth-ranked Ankeny made 11-of-16 3-point shots and rolled to a 96-37 victory at Ames in a non-conference game. The Hawkettes set a school record for the most points in a five-player game, breaking the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout Ames, set school record for most points in five-player game
‘We really wanted it’: Winkel, Centennial boys hold off Tigers for huge road victory
Luke Winkel and the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team are making some noise. Winkel made four straight free throws down the stretch and the Jaguars held on for a 56-51 victory on Friday at Valley to remain unbeaten. "I really just wanted to close the game out for the team," said Winkel, who led Centennial with 19 points and four assists. "That's … [Read more...] about ‘We really wanted it’: Winkel, Centennial boys hold off Tigers for huge road victory
Valley girls hold Jaguars scoreless over last 5 minutes to win seesaw battle
A late scoring drought proved costly for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team on Friday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars went scoreless over the last 5 minutes and suffered a 44-40 loss at No. 8 Valley. The Tigers have won the last five meetings against Centennial. "We turned the ball over way too much," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. "You have … [Read more...] about Valley girls hold Jaguars scoreless over last 5 minutes to win seesaw battle
Jaguars improve to 6-0 with win over Missouri foe, will host dual tourney next
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team tuned up for Saturday's Centennial Duals with a 57-16 victory over visiting Park Hill South (Mo.) on Friday. The Jaguars recorded seven falls while raising their mark to 6-0 on the season. "We wrestled OK," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "Our guys fight and scrap so we are happy about that. We are still finding … [Read more...] about Jaguars improve to 6-0 with win over Missouri foe, will host dual tourney next
‘Our guys are giving us everything they have’: Hawks top Webster City, Ballard
With some of its best wrestlers still out of the lineup, Ankeny nevertheless managed to earn a pair of victories on Thursday at Huxley. But it wasn't easy. The Hawks, who are sixth in the Class 3A dual rankings, opened the triangular meet with a 41-35 win over Webster City. They later posted a 36-30 triumph over the host Bombers to improve to 3-0 on … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys are giving us everything they have’: Hawks top Webster City, Ballard
Ankeny swimmers tie Dowling Catholic after being DQ’d in 400 freestyle relay
A dual-meet victory got away from the Ankeny boys' swimming team on Thursday. The fifth-ranked Hawks battled No. 8 Dowling Catholic to an 85-85 tie in a CIML Conference matchup at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The Maroons won the final event, the 400 freestyle relay, to forge the tie. Ankeny held an 81-75 lead going into the last race, but the Hawks' … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers tie Dowling Catholic after being DQ’d in 400 freestyle relay
Centennial pitcher Stahr commits to play softball at Iowa Central
Ankeny Centennial pitcher Jadeyn Stahr will continue her softball career at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Stahr announced her verbal commitment to the Tritons via Twitter on Wednesday. "It was a tough decision, but I had to pick what was best for me and I knew it was Iowa Central!" Stahr said. "I looked at a few other schools with great … [Read more...] about Centennial pitcher Stahr commits to play softball at Iowa Central
‘We needed that for the team mojo’: Akers, Hawks pull away from S.E. Polk
The Ankeny boys' basketball team got a much-needed win on Tuesday. The Hawks pulled away in the second half to defeat visiting Southeast Polk, 57-40, for their first victory of the season. They improved to 1-2 in the CIML Conference, while the Rams' records dropped to 0-2 in the league and 0-3 overall. "Anytime you start the season and you get your … [Read more...] about ‘We needed that for the team mojo’: Akers, Hawks pull away from S.E. Polk
‘She was very efficient’: White scores career-high 23 in Jaguars’ win over Riders
Kennedy White was coming off a season-low six-point game in a loss to Dowling Catholic on Friday. It didn't take long for the senior post player to surpass that total on Tuesday. White poured in a career-high 23 points and also grabbed seven rebounds to lead the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 69-34 victory over No. 10 Des … [Read more...] about ‘She was very efficient’: White scores career-high 23 in Jaguars’ win over Riders
‘We got very stagnant’: Cold-shooting Ankeny girls tumble to No. 8 S.E. Polk
With the final seconds of the first half ticking off the clock on Tuesday night, Southeast Polk guard Alyssa Bartlett hurried the ball up the court during a CIML Conference girls' basketball game at Ankeny. Bartlett dribbled behind her back to avoid an Ankeny defender, then launched a 3-point shot from half-court that swished through the net as time … [Read more...] about ‘We got very stagnant’: Cold-shooting Ankeny girls tumble to No. 8 S.E. Polk
Jaguars rack up 23 pins, romp past 3 foes at C.B. Lewis Central quadrangular
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team turned in a dominating performance on Tuesday at the Council Bluffs Lewis Central quadrangular. The Jaguars easily defeated all three of their opponents, racking up 23 pins while raising their record to 5-0. They posted a 66-16 win over Clarinda, a 66-18 victory over Denison-Schleswig, and a 65-11 triumph over Lewis … [Read more...] about Jaguars rack up 23 pins, romp past 3 foes at C.B. Lewis Central quadrangular
KUMM & GO: Walk-on receiver to leave Hawkeyes’ football program
When the 2022 football season began, Iowa's wide receivers room included a trio of former Ankeny standouts. Now, Brody Brecht is the only one of the three remaining. Walk-on Jordan Kumm announced via Twitter on Monday that he is entering the transfer portal. "I want to start off by saying thank you to coach (Kelton) Copeland and coach (Kirk) Ferentz … [Read more...] about KUMM & GO: Walk-on receiver to leave Hawkeyes’ football program
‘Our kids didn’t quit’: Hawk wrestlers run into tough foes at Donnybrook event
Coach Jack Wignall never wants his Ankeny wrestling team to shy away from strong competition. That's why the Dan Gable Donnybrook on Friday and Saturday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville was such a positive experience for the Hawks. "This was arguably the toughest high school tournament in the country this weekend," said Wignall. "There were some teams … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids didn’t quit’: Hawk wrestlers run into tough foes at Donnybrook event
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Karsen Jacks, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior guard Karsen Jacks has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 2-1 record. She made 4-of-5 3-point shots and scored 14 points in the Hawkettes' 68-59 loss to No. 2 Johnston on Friday at Ankeny. Jacks is averaging 9.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. She has committed just one turnover on the season. Jacks is the team's best … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Karsen Jacks, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Schwebach wins 2 events, leads Ankeny to 3rd-place finish at Wittmer Invite
Only 62 points separated the top four teams in the Mike Wittmer Invitational boys' swimming meet on Saturday at Ames. Pleasant Valley won the team title with 378 points, edging defending champion Ames by 17 points. Ankeny was third in the eight-team field with 326 points, followed by Cedar Falls with 306. "It was definitely hit or miss in terms of … [Read more...] about Schwebach wins 2 events, leads Ankeny to 3rd-place finish at Wittmer Invite
Bruhl, Cody Vandermark claim titles; Jaguars place 4th at Mustang Invite
This isn't the same Ankeny Centennial wrestling team that opponents will see later in the season. That's what coach Jay Groth is hoping anyway. The Jaguars placed fourth among 14 teams in the Andy Davidson Mustang Invitational on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. They finished with 184.5 points. "We had some guys who overperformed and some guys who … [Read more...] about Bruhl, Cody Vandermark claim titles; Jaguars place 4th at Mustang Invite
‘Our depth showed in this tournament’: Ankeny girls take 5th at Donnybrook
The Ankeny girls' wrestling team emerged from the two-day Dan Gable Donnybrook with a fifth-place finish. Even if the girls didn't know it right away. Ankeny racked up 288 points in the prestigious tournament on Thursday and Friday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. The event featured 30 teams from across the Midwest. Lebanon (Mo.) won the … [Read more...] about ‘Our depth showed in this tournament’: Ankeny girls take 5th at Donnybrook
‘We just couldn’t get the lid off the rim’: Hawks struggle late in loss to Johnston
Brandt Carlson isn't too concerned about his team's 0-2 start. The Ankeny boys' basketball coach knows that the Hawks will continue to improve. "We're getting better in some ways, but it's just not showing up in the win column," said Carlson. "But I like our team." The Hawks dropped a 61-45 decision to visiting Johnston in a CIML Conference game on … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t get the lid off the rim’: Hawks struggle late in loss to Johnston