Kenna Sauer wasn't herself on the volleyball court last year. After breaking her foot early in the season, the Ankeny Centennial outside hitter tried to come back later, but she didn't resemble the player who was named the captain of the Class 5A all-tournament team as a sophomore. She had just 105 kills as the Jaguars reached the Class 5A semifinals … [Read more...] about Jaguars on a mission to regain Class 5A volleyball crown
Defending state cross country champ looks to break all-time Iowa record
After winning a Class 4A state cross country title last fall, Ankeny runner Tim Sindt needed to find some extra motivation heading into his senior season. He has found his ultimate goal. Sindt wants to break the all-time Iowa record of 15 minutes 2 seconds. It's an ambitious goal, because his best time ever is 15:13. Sindt won the Class 4A race a … [Read more...] about Defending state cross country champ looks to break all-time Iowa record
Ankeny’s Peters places 4th at Lincoln’s Diving Invitational
Ankeny freshman Erica Peters made an impressive debut on the diving board Monday night. Peters represented Ankeny at Des Moines Lincoln's "Back to the Boards" Diving Invitational. It was an 11-dive meet, compared to the usual six-dive format early in the season. Peters placed fourth overall with 374.3 points. Just 16 points separated the top four … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Peters places 4th at Lincoln’s Diving Invitational
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Megan Lively, Centennial volleyball
Senior middle hitter Megan Lively is one of four Division I recruits on the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. She has verbally committed to play for Central Florida. The 6-foot-3 Lively helped the Jaguars to a 30-8 record last season. She had 124 kills and compiled a .417 hitting percentage while also racking up 68 blocks. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Megan Lively, Centennial volleyball
No. 6 Hawkettes are undersized, but still boast plenty of potential
On paper, the Ankeny volleyball team doesn't appear to match up with some of the CIML's top squads, including its crosstown rival. A closer look, though, reveals a scrappy and talented team that should be able to compete with just about any opponent on its schedule. The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union did not make the mistake of underestimating … [Read more...] about No. 6 Hawkettes are undersized, but still boast plenty of potential
Jaguars will rely on team effort to replace 3-time state qualifier Cox
The graduation of Camden Cox leaves a gaping hole in the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team's lineup. Cox was a three-time state qualifier for the Jaguars. As a senior, he placed third in Class 4A with a time of 15 minutes 37 seconds. Cox took fourth as a junior and finished 26th as a sophomore in 2015, when he led Centennial to a 13th-place … [Read more...] about Jaguars will rely on team effort to replace 3-time state qualifier Cox
Coach: Hawkette runners ‘show grit and desire to compete at high levels’
Eric Klingensmith is hoping to build the Ankeny girls' cross country program into a regular state-meet qualifier once again. Prior to the split into two high schools, the Hawkettes advanced to the state meet in 11 of the 13 years from 2000 to 2012 under former coach Craig Doocy. The team then suffered through a three-year drought before … [Read more...] about Coach: Hawkette runners ‘show grit and desire to compete at high levels’
Ankeny’s Crawford hopes to be impact player on defense, too
A year ago, Ankeny's Ray J Crawford was one of the top running backs in the CIML, rushing for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns on 202 carries. This season, he might not be able to match those numbers. That's because Ankeny coach Rick Nelson has elected to shore up his defense by moving Crawford to linebacker. The 6-foot, 196-pound senior will still get … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crawford hopes to be impact player on defense, too
Loaded Hawkettes among teams that could challenge Ames’ dynasty in pool
The Ames girls' swimming team has won seven of the last eight state championships. There aren't too many opponents that might be able to end the Little Cyclones' dominance this season, but Ankeny could be one of them. The Hawkettes return six state qualifiers from a squad that placed fourth at last year's meet with 171 points, their highest finish ever … [Read more...] about Loaded Hawkettes among teams that could challenge Ames’ dynasty in pool
Ossian’s eagle helps Jaguars to 13-stroke victory over Ames
Ankeny Centennial's Eric Ossian lined up his putt from just off the green on the No. 3 hole during Friday's dual meet against Ames at Briarwood Golf Club. The senior then knocked his putt into the hole for an eagle, one of many highlights on the day as the Jaguars posted a 305-318 victory in their CIML Central Conference opener. Centennial also racked … [Read more...] about Ossian’s eagle helps Jaguars to 13-stroke victory over Ames
Jaguars look to continue state-meet streak in 2018
The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team has qualified for the Class 4A state meet in each of its first five years as a varsity program. There's no reason to believe that the Jaguars won't earn another trip back to Fort Dodge in 2018. Centennial returns six varsity regulars from last year's team that placed 13th in Class 4A with 242 points. Head … [Read more...] about Jaguars look to continue state-meet streak in 2018
Bertsch departs after successful three-year run as Ankeny girls’ soccer coach
Ankeny girls' soccer coach Dan Bertsch has resigned from his position after three years with the program. Ankeny Activities Director Brent Buttjer said that all three of Bertsch's assistants have resigned as well. "Coach Bertsch provided a great deal of passion and dedication to our girls’ soccer program for which I am grateful. We wish him luck in the … [Read more...] about Bertsch departs after successful three-year run as Ankeny girls’ soccer coach
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kate Heine, Ankeny softball
Kate Heine of the Ankeny softball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Heine helped the Hawkettes to a 28-13 record. She served primarily as a pinch-runner for coach Dave Bingham. Heine, a junior, batted .333 in 24 games. She stole five bases and scored 20 runs. … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kate Heine, Ankeny softball
Hawk golfers search for consistency after loss to Dowling Catholic
The challenge for some members of the Ankeny boys' golf team is to play a solid 18-hole round and not just nine holes. That was very evident during Tuesday's CIML Central Conference dual meet against visiting Dowling Catholic, which posted a 308-315 victory over the Hawks at Otter Creek Golf Course. "I thought we played Ok," said Ankeny coach Mike … [Read more...] about Hawk golfers search for consistency after loss to Dowling Catholic
Centennial golfers place 5th at season-opening tournament
The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team finished in the middle of the pack at the Iowa City West Invitational on Monday. The Jaguars opened their season by placing fifth among 10 teams at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course in Riverside. They posted a score of 330. Pleasant Valley shot a 311 to capture the team title, finishing five strokes ahead of Johnston. … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers place 5th at season-opening tournament
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Lauren Birt, Ankeny Centennial softball
Senior second baseman Lauren Birt helped the Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 25-16 record. It was the Jaguars' winningest season since the split into two high schools. Birt batted .354 with 13 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. She was selected to the Class 5A all-state third team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Lauren Birt, Ankeny Centennial softball
Centennial golfers return 5 of their top 6 players
The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team wasn't satisfied with its 11th-place finish in last year's Class 4A state meet. With five of the top six players returning from that squad, the Jaguars are looking to finish higher in 2018. "Obviously, you can't replace the time the boys spent in the wind and rain playing at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown," … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers return 5 of their top 6 players
Centennial’s Robinson earns spot on USA Volleyball youth national team
Ankeny Centennial's Devyn Robinson isn't just one of the state's best volleyball players. She is one of the top middle hitters in the country. Robinson has been selected to play on the USA Volleyball youth national team. Only 12 girls from across the nation made the final roster. The USA squad will be competing in the 2018 NORCECA Girls' U18 … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Robinson earns spot on USA Volleyball youth national team
Hawks open season with 4th-place finish on challenging Waveland course
A pair of sophomores made impressive debuts for the Ankeny boys' golf team on Thursday. Dylan Taylor carded a 79 and Joey Newton added an 83 to help the Hawks to a fourth-place finish in the Des Moines Roosevelt Invitational at Waveland Golf Course. Taylor placed ninth as an individual. "I thought we played well, especially Joey and Dylan," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks open season with 4th-place finish on challenging Waveland course
Like Lanning, Olson hopes to benefit from position switch
Collin Olson has a lot in common with former Ankeny and Iowa State teammate Joel Lanning. Both were standouts in the same three sports in high school--football, wrestling and baseball. Both of them went on to join the Iowa State football team and had to work their way up the depth chart during their first few seasons with the Cyclones. A year ago, … [Read more...] about Like Lanning, Olson hopes to benefit from position switch