There was no letdown for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. Riding the momentum of Tuesday's victory at Ankeny, the fourth-ranked Jaguars captured the championship of the Urbandale Invitational on Saturday. They rallied for a 23-25, 25-18, 15-8 win over No. 3 Urbandale in the title match. "It was a huge day for us," said Centennial coach Jessica … [Read more...] about ‘It was a huge day for us’: Jaguars capture championship of Urbandale Invitational
‘We just couldn’t stop them’: Jaguars fall to Urbandale in final seconds
With less than 2 minutes left to play, the Ankeny Centennial football team was in position to pull out a huge victory on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. The 10th-ranked Jaguars had just taken an 18-12 lead over No. 8 Urbandale and needed one defensive stop to seal the outcome. But they couldn't close the deal. The J-Hawks drove 80 yards down the field and … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t stop them’: Jaguars fall to Urbandale in final seconds
Centennial cross country teams place 2nd, 3rd at Bud Williams Invitational
While the Ankeny cross country teams were unable to run Thursday when the Southeast Polk Invitational was cancelled due to lightning, the Ankeny Centennial squads traveled to Iowa City to compete in the Bud Williams Invitational at the Iowa City Kickers Soccer Club. The seventh-ranked Centennial girls' team placed second in the nine-team field with 50 … [Read more...] about Centennial cross country teams place 2nd, 3rd at Bud Williams Invitational
‘They made more plays than we did’: Valley’s late TD hands Hawks 38-35 loss
The Ankeny football team knows how to rebound from a tough loss. Now, the Hawks will have to do it again. Mason Morrow threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ayden Price with 13 seconds left and fifth-ranked Valley defeated No. 1 Ankeny, 38-35, on Friday at Valley Stadium. "I definitely think we will bounce back stronger," said Ankeny receiver Brady … [Read more...] about ‘They made more plays than we did’: Valley’s late TD hands Hawks 38-35 loss
COMMITTED: Centennial’s Kovacs to join Ankeny’s Gibson, Macke at Minnesota St.
Ankeny Centennial soccer standout Courtney Kovacs decided earlier this week that she wanted to continue her playing career at Minnesota State-Mankato. Ankeny players Eden Gibson and Kennedy Macke came to the same conclusion at about the same time. Kovacs announced her verbal commitment to the Mavericks via Twitter on Tuesday. Gibson and Macke then … [Read more...] about COMMITTED: Centennial’s Kovacs to join Ankeny’s Gibson, Macke at Minnesota St.
Centennial’s Winkel named Iowa PGA Junior Tour Player of the Year
Ankeny Centennial senior Jack Winkel has been named the 2021 Iowa PGA Junior Tour Player of the Year in the 16-18 year old division. He racked up 2,027.33 Player of the Year points. Winkel competed in 11 events this season. He had nine top-10 finishes on the Iowa PGA Junior Tour, including two wins and two ties for first place. Winkel was victorious in … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Winkel named Iowa PGA Junior Tour Player of the Year
Centennial girls’ cross country team competes at Knoxville Invitational
The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team entered just three runners in the varsity race at the Knoxville Invitational on Tuesday. The trio performed well in the hot conditions. Emily Petersen placed ninth in the 5k race with a time of 22 minutes 27 seconds. Brianna Hynick was 16th in 23:55, and Julianne Stevens finished 23rd in 24:17. "We are … [Read more...] about Centennial girls’ cross country team competes at Knoxville Invitational
McCullough to follow sister’s footsteps, will play football at Northern Iowa
Ankeny receiver Brady McCullough has always had a tight bond with his older sister Sara. The siblings will have a chance to grow even closer over the next few years. McCullough verbally committed on Wednesday to play football at Northern Iowa, where Sara is a redshirt freshman on the women's basketball team. He announced his decision via … [Read more...] about McCullough to follow sister’s footsteps, will play football at Northern Iowa
‘We wanted it so bad’: Centennial girls sweep to victory over Hawkettes
For the last two weeks, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team focused most of its attention on third-ranked Ankeny. Not even an injury to one of their top players could prevent the No. 7 Jaguars from knocking off their crosstown rival. Centennial moved into sole possession of first place in the CIML Iowa Conference with a 28-26, 31-29, 25-23 victory at … [Read more...] about ‘We wanted it so bad’: Centennial girls sweep to victory over Hawkettes
Hawkettes win 10 of 12 events on Senior Night, cruise past Mason City
Ankeny girls' swimming coach Michelle Stout is never going to forget this year's senior class. The 14 seniors were recognized on Tuesday during the Hawkettes' 131-54 victory over visiting Mason City at Trail Point Aquatics Center. "This is one of the largest group of senior girls that I can remember," Stout said. "They have shown great leadership and … [Read more...] about Hawkettes win 10 of 12 events on Senior Night, cruise past Mason City
Anderson commits to St. Thomas, then suffers injury in Jaguars’ win over Ankeny
It's been a rollercoaster week for Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Olivia Anderson. On Monday, she verbally committed to play for the University of St. Thomas (Minn.). The Tommies are the first athletic program in the NCAA modern era to reclassify directly from Division III to Division I. "I'm super excited," Anderson said. "They're in the Summit … [Read more...] about Anderson commits to St. Thomas, then suffers injury in Jaguars’ win over Ankeny
King, Jaguars place 2nd at conference meet; Hensen takes 3rd for Hawks
During the regular season, the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team dominated the CIML Iowa Conference, defeating all six of its opponents to capture the league's dual-meet title. On Tuesday at Otter Creek Golf Course, the seventh-ranked Jaguars were unable to complete a sweep of the conference championships. No. 11 Marshalltown shot a 302 to win the Iowa … [Read more...] about King, Jaguars place 2nd at conference meet; Hensen takes 3rd for Hawks
Hawkettes race to victory at Rim Rock Farm Classic; Ankeny boys finish 14th
The Ankeny girls' cross country team picked a good time to win its first title of the season. It came on Saturday at the prestigious Rim Rock Farm Classic at the University of Kansas. The Hawkettes, who are ranked eighth in Class 4A, captured the crown in the Girls' Crimson division with 77 points. Topeka-Seaman (Kan.) placed second in the 21-team … [Read more...] about Hawkettes race to victory at Rim Rock Farm Classic; Ankeny boys finish 14th
Hawkins tosses his 100th career TD pass in record-setting win at Simpson
Former Ankeny quarterback Blaine Hawkins already held most of Central College's passing records. Following Saturday's game at Simpson, Hawkins owns a couple more marks. The senior passed for a school-record seven touchdowns to lead the Dutch to an 84-16 victory. He completed 22-of-24 passes for a school-record 424 yards--all in the first half. Late … [Read more...] about Hawkins tosses his 100th career TD pass in record-setting win at Simpson
Hawkettes capture Boone Invitational title, will host Centennial Tuesday
Dropping only one set along the way, the Ankeny volleyball team captured the championship of the Boone Invitational on Saturday. The third-ranked Hawkettes won all six of their matches in the round-robin tournament. They raised their record to 30-4 on the season. Ankeny also won the Boone Invitational in 2018 and 2019. The tournament was not held last … [Read more...] about Hawkettes capture Boone Invitational title, will host Centennial Tuesday
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Monica Mirembe, Ankeny Centennial volleyball
Senior middle hitter Monica Mirembe has helped the seventh-ranked Ankeny Centennial volleyball team to a 16-5 record. She ranks second on the squad with 115 kills and leads the Jaguars with 46 blocks and a .433 hitting percentage. Mirembe had eight kills and four blocks on Thursday as Centennial swept visiting Southeast Polk in three sets. She hit .615 on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Monica Mirembe, Ankeny Centennial volleyball
Ankeny divers post personal-best scores at Tiger Tanker Invitational
Three Ankeny divers competed in the Tiger Tanker Invitational on Saturday at Valley, and all of them earned top-eight finishes. "It was a nice day of diving for the girls. All three of them had a personal best," said Ankeny diving coach Mandy Parton. "We had some tough competition, which is always a great challenge!" Erica Peters placed second with … [Read more...] about Ankeny divers post personal-best scores at Tiger Tanker Invitational
Roosevelt has no answers for Hawks’ aerial attack, lousy field position
The entire first half of Friday's football game at Ankeny Stadium was played on one end of the field. Second-ranked Ankeny took advantage of great field position to build a 42-0 halftime lead and went on to defeat No. 10 Des Moines Roosevelt, 49-6, in a matchup of Group 1 teams in the new Class 5A. "I'm not shocked," said Ankeny coach Rick Nelson. "But … [Read more...] about Roosevelt has no answers for Hawks’ aerial attack, lousy field position
After onside kick, Jaguars pull away in 2nd half for 30-0 win at Sioux City East
A gutsy call to open the second half helped spark the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 30-0 road victory over Sioux City East on Friday at Olsen Stadium. Leading by only 10-0 at halftime, the Jaguars recovered an onside kick to open the third quarter and went on to reach the end zone. They added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal the … [Read more...] about After onside kick, Jaguars pull away in 2nd half for 30-0 win at Sioux City East
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: JJ Kohl, Ankeny junior
The quarterback passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns in the first half alone to lead the Hawks to a 49-6 victory over Des Moines Roosevelt. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: JJ Kohl, Ankeny junior