The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team had the defending Class 5A state champion on the ropes Tuesday night. But the Jaguars were unable to deliver the knockout blow. Eighth-ranked Centennial jumped out to an early 11-1 lead at No. 12 Valley before the Tigers used runs of 14-2 and 19-5 to rally for a 52-44 victory. "We started off really well, … [Read more...] about Early lead quickly disappears as Jaguars fall to defending state champs
Hawkettes extend winning streak, will host showdown against Dowling next
The Ankeny girls' basketball team will take a four-game winning streak into its CIML Central Conference opener on Friday. The Hawkettes rolled to a 54-18 victory at Des Moines Lincoln on Tuesday to raise their record to 4-1. The Railsplitters dropped to 0-3. "It was a nice team win," said Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly. "Once again, we shared the ball very … [Read more...] about Hawkettes extend winning streak, will host showdown against Dowling next
Jaguars rout Ottumwa, close in on 100th victory in school history
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team didn't waste any time in putting away visiting Ottumwa on Tuesday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars recorded nine pins, seven of them in the first period, and rolled to a 76-6 victory. They evened their dual-meet record at 1-1. "We wrestled well," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We got after it and had a good … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Ottumwa, close in on 100th victory in school history
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karter Kester, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Senior post player Karter Kester is a member of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. He has helped the Jaguars to a 3-0 record. Kester is averaging 2.0 points and 0.5 rebounds per game. “Karter has brought energy and enthusiasm to our team. He brings it every day in practice and in games," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "He is a great … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karter Kester, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Creighton’s Ballenger named to all-East Region first team
Creighton volleyball standout Megan Ballenger has received all-region honors for the first time in her career. Ballenger, a senior from Ankeny, was one of four Bluejays to be honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on Tuesday. She was joined on the all-East Region first team by teammates Keely Davis, Brittany Witt and East Region Player of … [Read more...] about Creighton’s Ballenger named to all-East Region first team
Hawkettes record 15 steals, romp past East for 3rd straight victory
There wasn't much of a buzz in the Des Moines East gym on Monday night. A sparse crowd forced the Ankeny girls' basketball team to create its own excitement. The Hawkettes jumped out to a 21-7 lead in the first quarter and rolled to a 59-28 victory over East in a CIML make-up game. "I told the girls before the game that there was no boys' game, and … [Read more...] about Hawkettes record 15 steals, romp past East for 3rd straight victory
Yankee Clipper to sponsor Ankeny Fanatic’s College Football Bowl Contest
Do you know how to pick the winners of college football games? Do you like free tacos and beer? If you answered yes to both of those questions, then you'll want to enter Ankeny Fanatic's College Football Bowl Contest sponsored by Yankee Clipper. The winner of the contest will receive a $50 gift card to Yankee Clipper--and that'll buy you a lot of tacos … [Read more...] about Yankee Clipper to sponsor Ankeny Fanatic’s College Football Bowl Contest
Jaguars dominate Dallas Center-Grimes tournament for 3rd straight year
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers crowned five individual champions and rolled to the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational title on Saturday for the third straight year. The fifth-ranked Jaguars racked up 256 points, 58 more than runner-up Dallas Center-Grimes. Creston/Orient Macksburg took third in the 14-team field with 158 points. "We had a couple of … [Read more...] about Jaguars dominate Dallas Center-Grimes tournament for 3rd straight year
Hawk wrestlers tie for 5th place among 33 teams at Cliff Keen Invitational
The Ankeny wrestling team proved over the weekend that it belongs on the mat with some of the best squads in the Midwest. The eighth-ranked Hawks tied with Linn-Mar (Marion) for fifth place among 33 teams in the Cliff Keen Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Independence. Both squads finished with 228 points. Simley (Minn.) won the prestigious … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers tie for 5th place among 33 teams at Cliff Keen Invitational
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Logan Neils, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Senior Logan Neils pinned his way to the 170-pound title at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational on Saturday, helping the Jaguars to the overall team crown. He is now 4-0 on the season. Neils compiled a 38-3 record as a junior, when he placed second at 170 in the Class 3A state tournament. He is a two-time state placewinner. Here is some inside info … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Logan Neils, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Second-round NCAA losses end Ballenger’s career, Sauer’s season
The volleyball season came to an end on Saturday night for both Megan Ballenger and Kenna Sauer. It also marked the end of Ballenger's Creighton career. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, had seven kills and four blocks in 15th-ranked Creighton's five-set loss at No. 7 Minnesota in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gophers held off a pair of … [Read more...] about Second-round NCAA losses end Ballenger’s career, Sauer’s season
Morningside tops Grand View, advances to NAIA championship game
The Morningside College football team moved a step closer toward a second consecutive NAIA championship on Saturday while ending Grand View's season. The fourth-seeded Vikings held a 13-7 lead at halftime before No. 1 Morningside responded with a 14-point third quarter and then held on for a 21-16 victory in Sioux City. Former Ankeny player Dylan Miller … [Read more...] about Morningside tops Grand View, advances to NAIA championship game
Hawk swimmers win 5 events, take 2nd overall at Wittmer Invitational
The Ankeny boys' swimming team almost won the Mike Wittmer Invitational on Saturday at Ames, even without two of their best swimmers. The Hawks placed second in the six-team field with 263.5 points. They finished just 7.5 points behind Ames, which won the meet for the fourth straight year. Ankeny competed without standout distance swimmers Trent … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers win 5 events, take 2nd overall at Wittmer Invitational
Balanced Jaguars roll to 72-46 victory over rebuilding Hoover squad
Friday's matchup between the Ankeny Centennial and Des Moines Hoover boys' basketball teams was only the third meeting between the two schools in the last six seasons. This one went much better for the Jaguars than the previous two. Centennial got double-figure scoring from four different players and rolled to a 72-46 victory over the visiting Huskies. … [Read more...] about Balanced Jaguars roll to 72-46 victory over rebuilding Hoover squad
‘I had to come out and prove it’: Smith leads Hawks past Fort Dodge
Ankeny's Jaxon Smith battled some foul trouble during the Hawks' season-opening victory at Des Moines North on Tuesday. The senior guard also dealt with some other issues. "The first game was hard for me. I probably acted in ways I shouldn't have acted," said Smith. "Coach (Brandt Carlson) got on me, and I just wanted to show him that I'm for this team … [Read more...] about ‘I had to come out and prove it’: Smith leads Hawks past Fort Dodge
Centennial girls rebound from loss with thumping of Huskies
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team pitched a shutout during the first quarter of Friday's game against visiting Des Moines Hoover. The eighth-ranked Jaguars raced out to a 23-0 lead at the end of the opening period. They built a 41-6 advantage at halftime and then cruised to a 76-15 victory over the Huskies. Centennial coach Scott DeJong … [Read more...] about Centennial girls rebound from loss with thumping of Huskies
‘A breath of fresh air’: Trimble returns to lineup, helps Hawkettes to 57-36 win
Holly Trimble stepped on the basketball court Friday for the first time this season. The senior forward is hoping to stay there. Trimble scored eight points in her season debut to help the Ankeny girls' squad to a 57-36 victory over visiting Fort Dodge. She sat out the first two games while battling a rare bone growth disorder. "I just started my … [Read more...] about ‘A breath of fresh air’: Trimble returns to lineup, helps Hawkettes to 57-36 win
Creighton’s Ballenger, Mizzou’s Sauer advance to 2nd round of NCAA Tourney
Megan Ballenger and the Creighton volleyball team put an end to Iowa State's season while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at Minneapolis. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, had four kills and a team-high three blocks as 15th-ranked Creighton moved into the Round of 32 with an impressive sweep of the Cyclones. The Bluejays … [Read more...] about Creighton’s Ballenger, Mizzou’s Sauer advance to 2nd round of NCAA Tourney
Penn State kicker Pinegar earns all-B1G honorable mention
Penn State sophomore place-kicker Jake Pinegar has received all-Big Ten honorable mention from both the football coaches and the media. Pinegar, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, has helped the Nittany Lions to a 10-2 record this season. He has converted 10-of-11 field-goal attempts and 50-of-52 PATs. Pinegar made a season-long 47-yard field goal … [Read more...] about Penn State kicker Pinegar earns all-B1G honorable mention
Hawk wrestlers flex their muscles, pummel Mason City in season opener
The eighth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team will take some momentum into the Cliff Keen Invitational this weekend after rolling to a 63-15 victory at No. 9 Mason City in its season opener on Thursday. The Hawks won 11 of the 14 matches and recorded seven pins. "Mason City is down except for about four weights," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "But we … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers flex their muscles, pummel Mason City in season opener