Ankeny Centennial wrestler Max Dhabolt is building a pretty impressive resume. The sophomore-to-be earned a second-place finish at 150 pounds in the 16U Freestyle Nationals last week at Fargo, N.D. He advanced to the championship match before dropping a 10-0 decision to Jayden James of New Jersey, a returning freestyle national champion. "I was going … [Read more...] about Dhabolt earns runner-up finish at 150 pounds in 16U Freestyle Nationals
‘You could feel this’: Ankeny girls blank Wolves, will face No. 1 Valley in semifinals
On paper, the ninth-ranked Ankeny softball team appeared to be facing an uphill battle against No. 4 Waukee Northwest in Monday's Class 5A quarterfinals at the state tournament. Ankeny coach Dave Bingham, though, had plenty of confidence in his squad. "I don't know if a team was more prepared for a game in all of my years of coaching," Bingham said … [Read more...] about ‘You could feel this’: Ankeny girls blank Wolves, will face No. 1 Valley in semifinals
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Abby Rusher, Ankeny senior
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Avery Nelson, Ankeny softball
Sophomore outfielder Avery Nelson has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny softball team to a 21-20 record and a second consecutive trip to the Class 5A state tournament. She is batting .362 on the season with 13 RBIs. Nelson leads the Hawkettes with 138 at-bats, 50 hits, 41 singles, eight doubles and 21 stolen bases. She ranks second on the squad with 26 runs … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Avery Nelson, Ankeny softball
State softball preview: 5 CIML schools begin quest for Class 5A title on Monday
The state softball tournament gets under way on Monday with the Class 5A quarterfinals at Harlan Rogers Park. The Class 5A field includes the top four teams in the final rankings, but a rash of upsets in regional play also saw three teams ranked ninth or lower make it to Fort Dodge along with unranked Cedar Rapids Prairie. Will the upsets continue this … [Read more...] about State softball preview: 5 CIML schools begin quest for Class 5A title on Monday
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 268
‘They just played better and beat us’: Jags drop 2-0 decision to Baumler, Dowling
While Ankeny Centennial star Joey Oakie elected to turn pro after being selected in the MLB amateur draft, Dowling Catholic's Trever Baumler reportedly turned down some pretty good offers to finish out his high school career and to play college baseball at TCU. The Maroons benefited from that decision on Wednesday night. Baumler tossed a three-hitter … [Read more...] about ‘They just played better and beat us’: Jags drop 2-0 decision to Baumler, Dowling
‘I just couldn’t be prouder’: Christensen tosses gem, but ACA falls in 9 innings
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) With a trip to the state tournament on the line, one run was all that was needed to settle Class 1A Substate 7’s representative. The Ankeny Christian Academy Eagles (18-9) attempted to knock off the fifth-ranked Lynnville-Sully Hawks (26-3) during Tuesday's substate final in Pella. The Hawks ultimately outlasted ACA with a … [Read more...] about ‘I just couldn’t be prouder’: Christensen tosses gem, but ACA falls in 9 innings
‘We have some unfinished business’: Hawkettes top S.E. Polk, earn trip to state
The struggles of early July have been long forgotten by the Ankeny softball players. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes are headed to the state tournament. Abby Rusher tossed a six-hitter and Kensington Arringdale hit a home run to lead Ankeny past No. 10 Southeast Polk, 6-2, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Ankeny. The Hawkettes (21-20), who ended … [Read more...] about ‘We have some unfinished business’: Hawkettes top S.E. Polk, earn trip to state
‘This was a tough loss’: Defending state champs fall to Waukee in regional final
Back on May 23, the Ankeny Centennial softball team opened its season with a 1-0 loss to eventual Class 4A state qualifier Norwalk. Fifty-four days later, the defending state champion Jaguars closed out their campaign with another shutout loss on their home field. Lillie Struck tossed a two-hitter and retired 13 of the last 14 batters that she faced to … [Read more...] about ‘This was a tough loss’: Defending state champs fall to Waukee in regional final
Ankeny’s Rusher, Centennial’s Starr to play in Senior All-Star Softball Classic
Seniors Abby Rusher of Ankeny and Addi Starr of Ankeny Centennial have been selected to play in the Senior All-Star Softball Classic on July 27 at Waukee. Rusher will be a member of the Red Team coached by Katie Burman of Clarksville and Andy Pals of Waukee. Starr will play for the White Team coached by Troy Houge of Collins-Maxwell and Megan Anderson of … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rusher, Centennial’s Starr to play in Senior All-Star Softball Classic
‘It just wasn’t our night’: Hawks close out season with 8-1 loss at Sioux City East
Sioux City's East Jax Theeler homered on the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning and the Black Raiders went on to beat visiting Ankeny, 8-1, in a Class 4A substate baseball semifinal on Monday. Sioux City East (26-13) advanced to Wednesday's substate final at second-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes (34-3). The Hawks finished the season at … [Read more...] about ‘It just wasn’t our night’: Hawks close out season with 8-1 loss at Sioux City East
Ankeny softball quartet, Centennial trio earn IGCA academic all-state honors
Four Ankeny softball players and three from Ankeny Centennial have been named to the academic all-state team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. The Hawkettes were represented by Marah Hansen, Hannah Howard, Cassie Johnson and Ava Tomlinson. The Jaguars, meanwhile, placed Payton Drefke, Addie Pollock and McKenna Vallejo on the squad. Pollock earned … [Read more...] about Ankeny softball quartet, Centennial trio earn IGCA academic all-state honors
‘Whatever team selected me would be a dream come true’: Guardians draft Oakie
When Joey Oakie was passed over on the first night of the MLB amateur draft on Sunday, it appeared that the Ankeny Centennial pitcher might be headed to Iowa to play college baseball. But then his agent called with some big news: There was a team willing to pay him the money that he wanted. On Monday, the Cleveland Guardians selected Oakie in the third … [Read more...] about ‘Whatever team selected me would be a dream come true’: Guardians draft Oakie
‘It’s been a super long process’: Ex-Jaguar hoops star Crews to play for Ashland
Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Jaron Crews has found a new home. Crews, a guard, announced on Friday that he has committed to play for Ashland University, an NCAA Division II program. The school is located in Ashland, Ohio, which sits about halfway between Columbus and Cleveland. "I built a good relationship with the coaching staff and … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been a super long process’: Ex-Jaguar hoops star Crews to play for Ashland
‘Everything happens for a reason’: Brecht selected by Rockies with 38th pick
Brody Brecht had to wait a little longer than expected to hear his name called. But in the end, it all worked out. The former Ankeny and Iowa pitcher was selected by the Colorado Rockies with the 38th pick in the 2024 Major League Baseball amateur draft on Sunday night. He was chosen in the Competitive Balance Round A, becoming Iowa's first first-round … [Read more...] about ‘Everything happens for a reason’: Brecht selected by Rockies with 38th pick
‘It’s just one step at a time’: Jaguars rout Marshalltown, will host Waukee next
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial softball team has taken the first step toward defending its Class 5A state championship. The sixth-ranked Jaguars were dominant in every aspect of the game as they romped to a 10-0 victory over visiting Marshalltown in five innings in a regional semifinal on Saturday. “Marshalltown is a real quality … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just one step at a time’: Jaguars rout Marshalltown, will host Waukee next
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Sean Stewart, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Senior pitcher Sean Stewart tossed a five-inning perfect game to lead the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 10-0 victory over visiting Marshalltown in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. He struck out eight of the 15 batters that he retired. Stewart has helped the Jaguars to a 29-10 record. He has compiled a 7-1 mark with a 2.03 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Sean Stewart, Ankeny Centennial baseball
‘We knew we could get the job done’: Lensmeyer, Ankeny girls oust Wahawks
It wasn't ideal for the Ankeny softball team to be entering postseason play on the heels of a six-game losing streak. The lack of momentum didn't seem to bother Aubrey Lensmeyer. The junior combined with Abby Rusher on a three-hitter and also hit a home run to lead the ninth-ranked Hawkettes to a 6-2 victory over visiting Waterloo West in a Class 5A … [Read more...] about ‘We knew we could get the job done’: Lensmeyer, Ankeny girls oust Wahawks
‘We’ve never been here before’: Eagles advance to substate final for first time
The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball program has reached unprecedented heights. The Eagles advanced to a Class 1A substate final for the first time in school history by defeating Earlham, 5-3, in a district final on Saturday at Ankeny High School. "The guys have put in a ton of work this year," said Ankeny Christian coach Ryan Johnson. "It's the first … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve never been here before’: Eagles advance to substate final for first time