Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong isn't too worried about the CIML Iowa Conference race. He's more concerned about the bigger picture. "We're just trying to get better and if the conference (title) comes along the way, that's great," DeJong said. The third-ranked Jaguars clinched at least a share of the league crown with a 53-15 … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just trying to get better’: Jaguars roll past Ames, clinch share of CIML title
Rhoads leaves Ohio State, lands job as defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores High
Ankeny native Paul Rhoads has landed a new coaching gig. The former Iowa State head football coach has been named the defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores High School in Alabama. His hiring was approved by the Gulf Shores City Board of Education on Thursday night. Rhoads replaces Brian VanGorder as the Dolphins' defensive coordinator. Both Rhoads and … [Read more...] about Rhoads leaves Ohio State, lands job as defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores High
Centennial wrestlers fall to Waukee NW, but could get rematch in regional duals
Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth spent 19 years coaching at Des Moines Roosevelt before he left to begin the Jaguars' program in 2013. On Thursday, Groth returned to Roosevelt for the first time as Centennial's coach. The Jaguars opened a double dual meet with a 74-6 victory over Roosevelt, recording seven pins along the way. "I might … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers fall to Waukee NW, but could get rematch in regional duals
Jaguars’ winning streak reaches 10 games with rout over Marshalltown
The winning streak for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has reached double digits. The third-ranked Jaguars rolled to their 10th straight victory with a 59-6 win over visiting Marshalltown on Thursday. It was their second triumph over the Bobcats in the last seven days after posting a 66-23 victory at Marshalltown on Friday. Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ winning streak reaches 10 games with rout over Marshalltown
‘I wasn’t ready to be done with Gopher soccer’: Gray to come back for 5th year
Megan Gray's soccer career isn't over just yet. The former Ankeny Centennial star has decided to take advantage of a fifth year at the University of Minnesota, putting off the start of her entry into the physical therapy graduate program. "Originally, I had planned on beginning physical therapy school here at the U in the summer," Gray said. "When the … [Read more...] about ‘I wasn’t ready to be done with Gopher soccer’: Gray to come back for 5th year
Ex-ACA point guard Goergen reaches 1,000 career points at Faith Baptist
During high school, Jayce Goergen was a productive point guard for the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team who often passed first before taking a shot himself. Now a junior on the Faith Baptist Bible College men's basketball squad, Goergen has become more of a scoring threat at the collegiate level. On Monday, the 5-foot 10-inch guard scored … [Read more...] about Ex-ACA point guard Goergen reaches 1,000 career points at Faith Baptist
‘I’ll be competing with the best of the best’: Stearns commits to Iowa Western
The Iowa Western Community College football team has produced a lot of high-level recruits over the years. Ankeny Centennial receiver Isaiah Stearns is hoping to be another one. Stearns has committed to play for the Reivers next fall. He announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday. "Blessed to announce my commitment to Iowa Western!!" Stearns … [Read more...] about ‘I’ll be competing with the best of the best’: Stearns commits to Iowa Western
Hawk bowlers edge Roosevelt; Ankeny girls post season-high score in loss
The Ankeny bowling teams traveled to Air Lanes Bowling Center on Tuesday for their final dual meet of the season and came away with a split. The Hawks defeated host Des Moines Roosevelt by a score of 2,433 to 2,373 in the non-conference matchup. The Roughriders won the girls' meet by a score of 1,744 to 1,517, even though the Hawkettes posted a … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers edge Roosevelt; Ankeny girls post season-high score in loss
Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois
Ryan Crandall has decided to wear different shades of purple and gold. After earlier committing to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato, the Ankeny defensive back has signed a letter of intent to play for Western Illinois next year. "It was a hard decision, but it's always been a dream of mine to play at the highest level I can possibly play at," … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois
On Senior Night, Jaguars overcome some poor shooting to defeat Waukee
It's been a long winter already for Ankeny Centennial senior Olivia Anderson. Anderson has missed her final basketball season due to a knee injury that she suffered while playing volleyball in the fall, but she got an opportunity to take the court one last time on Tuesday. Anderson started for the Jaguars in their Senior Night game against visiting … [Read more...] about On Senior Night, Jaguars overcome some poor shooting to defeat Waukee
Hawkettes rally for dramatic victory, keep their Iowa Conference title hopes alive
The Ankeny girls' basketball team's bid to win the CIML Iowa Conference title was hanging by a thread on Tuesday at Fort Dodge. Trailing by 58-51 late in the fourth quarter, the 10th-ranked Hawkettes appeared to be dangerously close to falling out of championship contention. But Ankeny then rallied for 10 consecutive points down the stretch, posting a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally for dramatic victory, keep their Iowa Conference title hopes alive
Hawks pull away in 2nd half, defeat Fort Dodge by 18-point margin for 2nd time
The Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't have any time to dwell on Monday's loss to top-ranked Ames. The No. 6 Hawks traveled to Fort Dodge on Tuesday for another CIML Iowa Conference game and posted a 69-51 victory, defeating the Dodgers by an 18-point margin for the second time this season. "It was nice to win after a tough Monday night game," said … [Read more...] about Hawks pull away in 2nd half, defeat Fort Dodge by 18-point margin for 2nd time
‘They’re the best team in the state’: Ames boys snap Hawks’ 8-game winning streak
The Ankeny boys' basketball team made a huge statement with Friday's win at third-ranked Waukee Northwest. No. 1 Ames made one of its own on Monday. The Little Cyclones jumped out to a 13-0 lead and cruised to a 69-50 victory at No. 8 Ankeny, snapping the Hawks' eight-game winning streak. "They were definitely ready, and we just didn't have an … [Read more...] about ‘They’re the best team in the state’: Ames boys snap Hawks’ 8-game winning streak
Ankeny girls romp past Little Cyclones, get their swagger and confidence back
Monday's game against visiting Ames gave the Ankeny girls' basketball team a chance to reset mentally. Coming off its worst loss of the season, the 10th-ranked Hawkettes placed four players in double figures and rolled to a 77-19 victory in a CIML Iowa Conference contest. "We just kind of needed to recharge the battery and clear the mindset," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls romp past Little Cyclones, get their swagger and confidence back
Centennial safety Andriano weighs 15 offers, commits to Augustana University
Ankeny Centennial football standout Keegan Andriano spent a lot of time looking at more than a dozen colleges. He eventually committed to Augustana University (S.D.), an NCAA Division II school. Andriano announced his decision via Twitter on Sunday. "I am proud to announce my commitment to the University of Augustana," Andriano tweeted. "Thank you … [Read more...] about Centennial safety Andriano weighs 15 offers, commits to Augustana University
Ex-Minnesota Twins Sampson, Sears thrilled by Ortiz’s election to Hall of Fame
David Ortiz left a big impression on everybody who crossed his path during a 20-year career in the major leagues. Two former Ankeny baseball stars, Benj Sampson and Todd Sears, were among the players who had a chance to play with one of the game's all-time greats. Sampson was elated when Ortiz was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame last week in his … [Read more...] about Ex-Minnesota Twins Sampson, Sears thrilled by Ortiz’s election to Hall of Fame
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ben Hansen, Ankeny wrestling
Sophomore Ben Hansen has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team to a 15-2 dual-meet record. He is ranked sixth at 126 pounds in Class 3A with a 25-6 mark. Hansen placed second in the CIML Invitational on Friday at Johnston, where he helped the Hawks to a third-place finish in the 18-team field. He reached the finals before losing by a technical … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ben Hansen, Ankeny wrestling
Snyder scores season-high 18 points, leads Jaguars past Davenport West
Ankeny Centennial's Jackson Snyder is going to wait until after the basketball season to undergo surgery for a torn labrum. The senior guard hasn't been slowed by the injury. Snyder sat out three games after getting hurt, then returned to the court on Friday and scored 12 points in the Jaguars' 80-75 victory at Marshalltown. On Saturday, he poured … [Read more...] about Snyder scores season-high 18 points, leads Jaguars past Davenport West
Hawks, Jaguars could see familiar opponents in Class 4A substate play
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams could see some familiar opponents in substate play. The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced its postseason assignments on Friday. The eighth-ranked Hawks (12-2) have been placed in Class 4A Substate 1, while the Jaguars (9-6) have been placed in Substate 2. Ankeny will be joined in … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars could see familiar opponents in Class 4A substate play
Hawks place 3rd, Jaguars finish 4th in final year of CIML’s 18-team tournament
As the wrestling season heads into the home stretch, both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial are sitting in good positions. The two teams earned top-four finishes in the CIML Invitational on Friday at Johnston. This was the final year of the 18-team tournament before the CIML splits into two conferences next year. Eighth-ranked Ankeny placed third with 174 … [Read more...] about Hawks place 3rd, Jaguars finish 4th in final year of CIML’s 18-team tournament