Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

‘We learned a lot about ourselves’: Jags top C.R. Washington, fall to I.C. West

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If nothing else, the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team is now battle-tested. The Jaguars opened their season on Saturday by splitting a pair of games in eastern Iowa. They posted a 1-0 victory over Cedar Rapids Washington before dropping a 2-0 decision to host Iowa City West. "We traveled with 21 guys, and we were down to 17 by the time we played … [Read more...] about ‘We learned a lot about ourselves’: Jags top C.R. Washington, fall to I.C. West

No. 6 Centennial girls to rely heavily on senior duo of Gustafson, Guan

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team is ranked sixth in Class 2A in the preseason rankings. The Jaguars will find out on Tuesday if they deserve that ranking when they open the season at No. 4 Valley. "I think the girls have done a really nice job at adapting to my way of coaching and practice," said Centennial coach Armando Espinosa. "I guess we … [Read more...] about No. 6 Centennial girls to rely heavily on senior duo of Gustafson, Guan

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ soccer team

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The success of the Ankeny boys' soccer program didn't happen overnight. The Hawks struggled to a 2-12-2 record in their first season of competition in 1985, and they didn't post a winning mark until 1989, when coach Mark McDougal led the team to a 7-6-3 campaign. The 1990s saw some gradual progress under McDougal and then Peter Rameh, who took over the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ soccer team

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mason Thompson, Ankeny boys’ track

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Senior Mason Thompson is a member of the Ankeny boys' track team. The standout hurdler has committed to run for Grand View next year. Thompson placed second in the 110 hurdles in the Brooks Relays on Saturday at Valley. He helped the Hawks to a sixth-place finish overall. Here is some inside info on Thompson: How is the season going thus far? For … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mason Thompson, Ankeny boys’ track

Collins, Johnson lead Centennial boys to team crown at Brooks Relays

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Even at less than full strength, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team made an emphatic statement on Saturday. The Jaguars claimed their second title in five days by winning the Brooks Relays at Valley. They finished with 135 points. "We're just trying to get through the season," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "We have some injuries, and we're … [Read more...] about Collins, Johnson lead Centennial boys to team crown at Brooks Relays

Jaguars win 4 events, place 3rd overall at Ram Relays; Hawks finish 6th

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Earlier in the week, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team had to overcome some extremely windy conditions to win the Cub Relays at Nevada. On Thursday, the Jaguars--as well as crosstown rival Ankeny--had to deal with a different issue in the Ram Relays at Southeast Polk. "They were having some trouble with the timing system," said Ankeny coach Nick … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4 events, place 3rd overall at Ram Relays; Hawks finish 6th

McMahon sets school record in 1,500, leads Ankeny girls to Hawkette crown

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It's been a few years since the Ankeny girls' track team won its own Hawkette Invitational. The Hawkettes put an end to that drought with a dominating performance on Thursday. Ankeny captured eight events and easily won the team title with 178.75 points. The Hawkettes last won their home meet in 2017, when Dennis Adamson was the team's coach. "It … [Read more...] about McMahon sets school record in 1,500, leads Ankeny girls to Hawkette crown

Hawks dominate tiebreakers, open season with 8-3 victory at Norwalk

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Ron Miller's coaching debut with the Ankeny boys' tennis team was a rousing success. The Hawks opened their season on Thursday with an 8-3 victory at Norwalk in a non-conference meet. They won four of the six singles matches, then captured four of the five doubles matches to seal the win. "It was a great win to start off the season, and it was because … [Read more...] about Hawks dominate tiebreakers, open season with 8-3 victory at Norwalk

‘I felt like Wartburg was the best fit for me’: Ankeny’s Poock commits to Knights

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Ankeny distance runner Andrew Poock has committed to Wartburg College. Poock picked the Knights over Central and Simpson. All three schools are members of the NCAA Division III American Rivers Conference. "I looked at Iowa State first, but after looking at Central, Simpson and Wartburg I liked the feel of the smaller schools better," Poock said. "I … [Read more...] about ‘I felt like Wartburg was the best fit for me’: Ankeny’s Poock commits to Knights

Centennial boys win 9 events, easily capture team title at Cub Relays

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team dominated the Cub Relays on Tuesday at Nevada. The Jaguars won nine events and easily captured the team title of the Class A division with 446.5 points. Mason City was second in the eight-team field with 346.5. "It was a great effort by all in not-so-great conditions," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "The … [Read more...] about Centennial boys win 9 events, easily capture team title at Cub Relays

‘The wind was relentless’: Hawkettes perform well despite tough conditions

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The Ankeny girls' track team won a couple of individual events at the Waukee Invitational on Tuesday, even though the Hawkettes didn't score any points for those efforts. The 13-team meet featured an unusual format. Only the relay events were scored. Waukee won five of the seven relays and easily captured the team title with 66 points. Ames was second … [Read more...] about ‘The wind was relentless’: Hawkettes perform well despite tough conditions

‘It was a great start to our season!’: Centennial boys roll past Norwalk

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Tuesday's cold and windy weather didn't seem to bother the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team. The Jaguars were just happy to be playing for the first time since 2019. Centennial opened its season with a 10-1 victory over visiting Norwalk in a non-conference meet. The Warriors' lone win came at No. 5 doubles. "I thought the guys played really … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great start to our season!’: Centennial boys roll past Norwalk

Ballenger, Vacek return home for ‘amazing experience’ to play Cyclones

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The end of Alyssa Ballenger's collegiate volleyball career is just around the corner. Isabelle Vacek's career is just getting under way. Despite those differences, both former Ankeny standouts enjoyed returning to central Iowa last weekend as their Wayne State (Neb.) squad played a pair of exhibition matches against Iowa State at Hilton … [Read more...] about Ballenger, Vacek return home for ‘amazing experience’ to play Cyclones

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Irie Vincent, Ankeny girls’ soccer

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Senior midfielder Irie Vincent is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny girls' soccer team. Vincent helped the Hawkettes to an 18-4 record and the Class 3A state title as a sophomore in 2019. She contributed one goal and three assists. Here is some inside info on Vincent: I think you're the only person I know with the first name of Irie. Is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Irie Vincent, Ankeny girls’ soccer

Homer, the Miracle League’s mascot, comes to Ankeny

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The Ankeny Kiwanis Club is proud to welcome Miracle League's mascot Homer to Ankeny! Homer is the mascot for Miracle League--a national organization that promotes the creation of accessible baseball leagues and obstacle-free ball fields in communities across the country. A partnership of Ankeny Kiwanis Club service organization, the City of Ankeny, and a … [Read more...] about Homer, the Miracle League’s mascot, comes to Ankeny

With Webb leading the way, Hawkette golfers looking to qualify for state

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There's no doubt that the Ankeny girls' golf program is trending in the right direction. Before the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hawkettes posted a 3-2 dual record in 2019. It was their first winning campaign since the split into two high schools in 2013. Ankeny coach Seth Hagarty is confident that his team can pick up … [Read more...] about With Webb leading the way, Hawkette golfers looking to qualify for state

Vortherms enjoys ‘huge day’, leads Jaguars to runner-up finish at Iowa City

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Kathryn Vortherms will continue her track career at the University of Iowa next year. On Saturday, Vortherms traveled to the city of her future home and showed why the Hawkeyes offered her a scholarship. Competing in the Sherwood Relays at Iowa City High, Vortherms anchored Centennial's 4x800 relay to a victory in school-record time. She later placed … [Read more...] about Vortherms enjoys ‘huge day’, leads Jaguars to runner-up finish at Iowa City

Scrimmage between Centennial, Johnston boys ends with a shootout

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It was only a scrimmage, but the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team showed a lot of spunk Friday in its exhibition game against visiting Johnston. The Dragons jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Centennial rallied to forge a 4-4 tie at the end of regulation. Johnston then prevailed in a shootout, 5-4. "I didn't know what to expect after basically a … [Read more...] about Scrimmage between Centennial, Johnston boys ends with a shootout