Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

Hawks edge Waukee as trio combines on 1-hitter, Irlmeier delivers 2-run single

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A slow start this season knocked the Ankeny baseball team out of CIML Conference title contention right away. But that doesn't mean the Hawks can't be a factor in the race. Three Ankeny pitchers combined on a one-hitter as the Hawks posted a 2-1 victory over visiting Waukee on Thursday. It was the third straight loss for the fifth-ranked Warriors, who … [Read more...] about Hawks edge Waukee as trio combines on 1-hitter, Irlmeier delivers 2-run single

Rusher, Lensmeyer combine to shut down Dowling Catholic in Hawkettes’ sweep

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Abby Rusher and Aubrey Lensmeyer combined to allow just three runs as the Ankeny softball team swept a doubleheader on Wednesday at Dowling Catholic. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes posted a 5-0 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 9-3 triumph. They improved to 6-2 in the CIML Conference and 11-7 overall, while Dowling's records dropped to … [Read more...] about Rusher, Lensmeyer combine to shut down Dowling Catholic in Hawkettes’ sweep

‘We swung the bats a lot better’: Jaguars snap out of funk to sweep No. 5 Waukee

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team couldn't have picked a better time to break out of its recent offensive funk. The second-ranked Jaguars swept a doubleheader against No. 5 Waukee on Wednesday at Centennial, allowing coach Mark Hey's team to avenge an earlier 10-4 loss and move closer to the top of the CIML Conference standings. Centennial rolled to … [Read more...] about ‘We swung the bats a lot better’: Jaguars snap out of funk to sweep No. 5 Waukee

Jaguars roll past Waukee twice, move into tie for first place in CIML Conference

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team moved into a tie for first place in the CIML Conference by sweeping a doubleheader against visiting Waukee on Wednesday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 10-0 victory in five innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with an 8-4 triumph. They improved to 7-1 in the conference and 15-4 overall, while No. 9 … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Waukee twice, move into tie for first place in CIML Conference

‘They can play that way all the time’: Hawks erupt for 24 runs, sweep Dowling

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Wednesday's doubleheader at 10th-ranked Dowling Catholic might have been a turning point for the Ankeny baseball team. The Hawks used a seven-run eighth inning to post a 12-5 victory in the first game, then erupted for 11 runs in the first inning of the nightcap and went on to complete a sweep with a 12-2 win in five innings. "I hope it's a confidence … [Read more...] about ‘They can play that way all the time’: Hawks erupt for 24 runs, sweep Dowling

‘It is a devastating blow’: Ankeny Fanatic photographer Drue Wolfe passes away

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There are some stories that I never thought I'd have to write. This is one of them. Drue Wolfe, who joined Ankeny Fanatic as a photographer shortly after we launched our website in 2018, passed away earlier this week. He will be greatly missed. Drue touched the lives of countless athletes over the years with his incredible photos. The images that he … [Read more...] about ‘It is a devastating blow’: Ankeny Fanatic photographer Drue Wolfe passes away

Rawlings, Carrasco combine on 7-hitter in Centennial’s 2-1 victory at Norwalk

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Tripp Rawlings and Johnathan Carrasco combined on a seven-hitter to lead the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 2-1 victory at Norwalk in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The second-ranked Jaguars improved to 14-4 on the season. Norwalk's record dropped to 7-10. Rawlings (3-0) racked up nine strikeouts over the first 6 1/3 innings. Carrasco recorded … [Read more...] about Rawlings, Carrasco combine on 7-hitter in Centennial’s 2-1 victory at Norwalk

‘We just had to find a different way’: Jaguars grind out sweep over Cedar Falls

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After pounding six home runs during a doubleheader sweep over Linn-Mar (Marion) on Saturday, the Ankeny Centennial softball team didn't rely as much on the long ball during Monday's twinbill against visiting Cedar Falls. The fourth-ranked Jaguars hit only two roundtrippers while sweeping the non-conference games by scores of 9-2 and 6-3. They improved to … [Read more...] about ‘We just had to find a different way’: Jaguars grind out sweep over Cedar Falls

No. 9 Waukee Northwest outlasts Oakie, Centennial for 3-2 victory in 8 innings

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Another large crowd showed up at Ankeny Centennial on Monday night to watch one of the nation's top high school pitchers. Centennial senior Joey Oakie showed flashes of his brilliance before a throng of MLB scouts, but Tanner Jackson and the Waukee Northwest baseball team stole the spotlight. Jackson hit a solo homer off Oakie in the fourth inning, … [Read more...] about No. 9 Waukee Northwest outlasts Oakie, Centennial for 3-2 victory in 8 innings

Hawks drop 3-2 decision at Valley despite quality start, 3 hits from Clevidence

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The Ankeny baseball team got a quality start from senior righthander Jack Clevidence, but it wasn't enough to produce a victory on Monday at Valley. After the Hawks took a 2-0 lead in the third inning, Valley answered with three runs in the fourth and then held on for a 3-2 win to snap a six-game losing streak. The Tigers improved to 2-7 in the CIML … [Read more...] about Hawks drop 3-2 decision at Valley despite quality start, 3 hits from Clevidence

Centennial’s Ty Duax joins his father as three-time all-state selection by IHSSCA

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer standout Ty Duax has joined his father in an exclusive club. Duax, a senior midfielder, has earned all-state honors from the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association for the third time, landing a spot on the Class 4A first team. He was a Class 4A second-team pick as a junior after being named to the Class 3A first team as … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Ty Duax joins his father as three-time all-state selection by IHSSCA

Ankeny’s Macke earns all-state honors from IHSSCA for 2nd consecutive year

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Junior midfielder Alli Macke of Ankeny has earned all-state honors from the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association for the second straight year. Macke, who was named to the Class 3A second team as a sophomore, was selected to the first team along with teammate Emma Gott. Ava Martin of Ankeny Centennial was also a first-team pick. Macke led the … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Macke earns all-state honors from IHSSCA for 2nd consecutive year

Hawks erupt for season-high 16 runs in five-inning victory over Davenport West

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The Ankeny baseball team bounced back from a 7-5 loss to Davenport Central with a 16-1 victory over Davenport West in five innings on Saturday at Davenport. The Hawks are now 7-13 on the season after splitting the non-conference games. "I was glad to come back with a win, but I was certainly hoping for two," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. Ankeny had … [Read more...] about Hawks erupt for season-high 16 runs in five-inning victory over Davenport West

Jaguars rally past Ames for walk-off win, then drop 5-0 decision to C.R. Kennedy

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A three-run rally in the seventh inning allowed the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to beat Ames, 5-4, on Saturday at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids. The fourth-ranked Jaguars won their eighth consecutive game before their winning streak then came to an end with a 5-0 loss to No. 2 Cedar Rapids Kennedy. "(The rally) just kind of came out of … [Read more...] about Jaguars rally past Ames for walk-off win, then drop 5-0 decision to C.R. Kennedy

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Mady Ott, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Sophomore outfielder Mady Ott has helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to an 11-4 record. She is batting .429 with four home runs, three doubles and 12 RBIs. Ott's bat heated up in the last week, when she homered four times during a six-game stretch. She hit a grand slam in the Jaguars' 10-4 victory over No. 13 Southeast Polk in the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Mady Ott, Ankeny Centennial softball

Kennedy blasts 4 homers, drives in 8 runs in Centennial’s sweep over Linn-Mar

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Opposing softball teams have often pitched carefully to Ankeny Centennial's Jordyn Kennedy this season. Linn-Mar (Marion) decided to challenge the sophomore slugger on Saturday. The strategy backfired in a big way. Kennedy went 6-for-6 with four home runs, a double and eight RBIs as the fourth-ranked Jaguars swept a non-conference doubleheader on … [Read more...] about Kennedy blasts 4 homers, drives in 8 runs in Centennial’s sweep over Linn-Mar

‘It was a lot of innings!’: Lensmeyer carries heavy load as AHS finishes 3-1 at Creston

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Aubrey Lensmeyer and her Ankeny softball teammates have earned a little time off. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes played six games over the last three days, beginning with a doubleheader split at Urbandale on Thursday. They then went 3-1 in the John Stephens Classic this weekend, capped off by a pair of victories on Saturday. Lensmeyer, a junior, pitched … [Read more...] about ‘It was a lot of innings!’: Lensmeyer carries heavy load as AHS finishes 3-1 at Creston

Jaguars post 5-1 victory over Waterloo West before Wahawks salvage split

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team extended its winning streak to four games with a 5-1 victory over visiting Waterloo West in the opener of a non-conference doubleheader on Friday before the Wahawks earned a split with a 3-2 win in the nightcap. The Jaguars (9-4) pounded out 10 hits in the first game. Jordyn Kennedy went 3-for-3 with a double and scored … [Read more...] about Jaguars post 5-1 victory over Waterloo West before Wahawks salvage split

No. 4 Centennial baseball team sweeps Rams, extends winning streak to 7 games

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It's already been a good week for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. It got even better on Thursday as the fourth-ranked Jaguars extended their winning streak to seven games by sweeping a doubleheader against visiting Southeast Polk, the No. 6 team in Class 4A. Centennial rallied for a 13-6 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 10-3 … [Read more...] about No. 4 Centennial baseball team sweeps Rams, extends winning streak to 7 games