Ankeny Fanatic

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Dan Holm

Despite shooting woes, Centennial girls romp to lopsided win over Cardinals

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For the first 3 minutes of Tuesday's game against visiting Newton, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team couldn't find the basket. Thanks to a relentless defensive effort, the Jaguars' slow start proved to be insignificant. Seventh-ranked Centennial rolled to a 60-19 victory in the non-conference game, despite shooting just 36.5 percent from the … [Read more...] about Despite shooting woes, Centennial girls romp to lopsided win over Cardinals

Crews scores 20, Louis adds 14 in Jaguars’ 78-62 victory over Newton

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A 30-point third quarter helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team pull away for a 78-62 victory over visiting Newton in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The eighth-ranked Jaguars improved to 2-0 on the season. The Cardinals dropped to 3-1. "They were unbeaten," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "I'd seen them on tape, and I was impressed … [Read more...] about Crews scores 20, Louis adds 14 in Jaguars’ 78-62 victory over Newton

‘I couldn’t be happier with the way the kids bowled’: Ankeny teams top Dodgers

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Gage Payton and the Ankeny bowling teams enjoyed another good day on Tuesday. Payton bowled a 412 series to lead the Hawks to a victory over visiting Fort Dodge in their CIML Iowa Conference opener at Great Escape. They won the meet by a score of 2,820 to 2,568. The Ankeny girls' squad also prevailed by a score of 2,514 to 2,363. The Hawkettes and … [Read more...] about ‘I couldn’t be happier with the way the kids bowled’: Ankeny teams top Dodgers

Pella boys make 13 3-pointers, hand Hawks their first loss of the season

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Scoring points hasn't been an issue for the Ankeny boys' basketball team in its first two games. Stopping its opponent, though, was a little bit of a problem on Tuesday. The visiting Hawks suffered their first loss as Pella made 13-of-23 3-point shots and remained unbeaten with a 68-64 victory in a non-conference game. "We're scoring about what we … [Read more...] about Pella boys make 13 3-pointers, hand Hawks their first loss of the season

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Olivia Anderson, Centennial girls’ basketball

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Junior forward Olivia Anderson has helped the seventh-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 2-0 start. "Olivia is a great teammate and along with her athleticism she brings a lot to our team," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. "She's a hard worker, a leader and competes hard. We are excited about what she can do as the season … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Olivia Anderson, Centennial girls’ basketball

Hawkettes battle back from early deficit to post 54-50 victory at Pella

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Overcoming a slow start, the Ankeny girls' basketball team battled back for a 54-50 victory at Pella on Tuesday. The Hawkettes fell behind after the first quarter, 16-9. They rallied to take a 29-26 halftime lead, then held off the Little Dutch down the stretch in the non-conference game. "It was kind of an ugly, hard-fought win," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Hawkettes battle back from early deficit to post 54-50 victory at Pella

Ankeny swimmers win 2 of last 3 events to earn 85-85 tie against Ames

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For the second year in a row, the Ankeny boys' swimming team battled Ames down to the wire in a dual meet. Last year, the Hawks won the final five events to rally for an 86-84 victory over Ames. On Monday, the host Little Cyclones built a 10-point lead through eight events before Ankeny rallied again. This time, the Hawks won two of the last three … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers win 2 of last 3 events to earn 85-85 tie against Ames

‘It was a no-brainer’: Ankeny linebacker Manus to play for Missouri Western

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Ankeny football standout Brecken Manus is headed to the Show-Me state. The senior linebacker announced on Monday that he has verbally committed to play for Missouri Western. "It was not a hard decision at all," said Manus. "The first time I got to the campus, I knew I could see myself at Missouri Western." Manus also had offers from Wayne State and … [Read more...] about ‘It was a no-brainer’: Ankeny linebacker Manus to play for Missouri Western

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maggie Phipps, Centennial girls’ hoops

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Senior guard Maggie Phipps scored 18 points to lead the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 69-23 victory at Fort Dodge in its season opener on Friday. She had a trio of 3-point goals. Phipps transferred to Centennial after earning all-state honors last year at North Polk, where she led the Comets to a 21-6 record and a runner-up finish in the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maggie Phipps, Centennial girls’ hoops

Jaguars roll past 3 opponents, win Centennial Duals for 4th straight year

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Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Duals wrestling tournament was limited to four teams due to COVID-19 protocols. The Jaguars still dominated their own event, claiming the title for the fourth straight year. Centennial improved its overall record to 4-0 with three lopsided victories. The Jaguars rolled to a 66-15 win over Newton, cruised to a 52-25 triumph … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past 3 opponents, win Centennial Duals for 4th straight year

Ankeny native Rhoads named interim head coach after Arizona fires Sumlin

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Former Iowa State head football coach and Ankeny native Paul Rhoads has been named the interim head coach at Arizona following Saturday's firing of head coach Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin was let go one day after the Wildcats' 70-7 loss to rival Arizona State. Arizona is 0-5 this season after dropping its final seven games last year. Rhoads served as Iowa … [Read more...] about Ankeny native Rhoads named interim head coach after Arizona fires Sumlin

Centennial boys rout Fort Dodge, score most points ever in season opener

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By the end of the third quarter on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team had already scored its most points ever in a season-opening game. The ninth-ranked Jaguars used a 35-point period to build a 77-38 advantage after three quarters at Fort Dodge. They went on to post a 95-40 victory over the Dodgers, just two points shy of the school … [Read more...] about Centennial boys rout Fort Dodge, score most points ever in season opener

‘I knew I had to get in the lane’: Simonsen draws charge to seal Hawks’ victory

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As a defensive lineman on the Ankeny football team, Braden Simonsen did a lot of the dirty work in the trenches to help the Hawks to the Class 4A state title. On Friday, Simonsen showed that he can do the dirty work on the basketball court, too. The junior post player stepped in front of Mason City's Cory Miner and drew a charging foul with 2 seconds … [Read more...] about ‘I knew I had to get in the lane’: Simonsen draws charge to seal Hawks’ victory

Jaguars jump out to 15-0 lead, roll to season-opening win at Fort Dodge

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team appears to have a lot of depth. The seventh-ranked Jaguars also have the ability to get up and down the court. Centennial got its transition game going on Friday and rolled to a 69-23 victory at Fort Dodge in its season opener. "We turned the ball over a little too much, but we saw some glimpses of what … [Read more...] about Jaguars jump out to 15-0 lead, roll to season-opening win at Fort Dodge

Hawkettes overcome ‘tricky situation’, romp past Mason City in opener

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team got double-digit scoring from four different players and opened its season with a 71-47 victory at Mason City on Friday. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly often stresses the importance of having three players score in double figures. Four is even better. "I think our winning percentage is definitely way higher when we have … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome ‘tricky situation’, romp past Mason City in opener

Crouch returns to ‘special’ place, guides Hawk swimmers past Dowling

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Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch always enjoys going back to his old stomping grounds. Thursday's visit to the Dowling Catholic pool was especially enjoyable for the former Maroons' swimmer. Crouch guided the Hawks to a 105-65 victory over Dowling in their season opener. "With everything going on and the unknown of if or when we would get … [Read more...] about Crouch returns to ‘special’ place, guides Hawk swimmers past Dowling

Jaguars record 6 falls, open their season with 50-21 victory at Ottumwa

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers made their long-awaited season debut on the mat Thursday, rolling to a 50-21 victory in a dual meet at Ottumwa. The Jaguars racked up six pins en route to the win. They handed Ottumwa (8-1) its first loss of the season. "First of all, it was great to be back on the mat competing," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "Our … [Read more...] about Jaguars record 6 falls, open their season with 50-21 victory at Ottumwa

‘It’s good to be back’: Ankeny bowlers sweep Dowling Catholic in opener

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The season got off to a good start for the Ankeny bowling teams on Thursday. Both squads defeated Dowling Catholic in a dual meet at Val Lanes. "It's good to be back," said Ankeny coach Lane Richtsmeier. "At the start of the school year, I wasn't sure if this season was going to happen or not. There has definitely been some challenges for sure, as this … [Read more...] about ‘It’s good to be back’: Ankeny bowlers sweep Dowling Catholic in opener