When Sara McCullough made her first 3-point shot on Friday, she knew it was going to be a good night. "Oh my gosh, my shot was on," McCullough said. "I don't know what was going through my head. I wasn't really thinking. I just kind of played." McCullough went on to score a career-high 27 points, including five 3-pointers, but it wasn't enough as the … [Read more...] about McCullough’s big night not enough for Hawkettes in loss to Waukee
Strait leads Centennial boys to win over Little Cyclones
Hunter Strait appears to have his confidence back. The senior point guard scored 20 points to lead the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 50-38 victory over visiting Ames on Friday. He made a pair of 3-point goals and went 8-for-10 at the free-throw line. Strait also had five rebounds, two assists and four steals as the Jaguars improved to … [Read more...] about Strait leads Centennial boys to win over Little Cyclones
‘Resilient’ Jaguars rally past Ames with huge fourth quarter
As the injuries continue to mount for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team, so do the victories. The fifth-ranked Jaguars overcame two more injuries to defeat visiting Ames, 50-40, on Friday. Leading scorer Rachel Schon re-sprained her ankle in practice on Wednesday and did not play, while fellow post player Alexandria Keahna-Harris sat out after … [Read more...] about ‘Resilient’ Jaguars rally past Ames with huge fourth quarter
Morgan will bring ‘underdog’s mentality’ to UNI
Former Oklahoma State long snapper Tanner Morgan will be moving closer to home. Morgan, who earned all-state honors as a defensive end at Ankeny Centennial in 2015, has decided to transfer to Northern Iowa. He is already enrolled for the spring semester. "The only coaches that I talked to were UNI and North Dakota State," said Morgan. "They both … [Read more...] about Morgan will bring ‘underdog’s mentality’ to UNI
Hawks fall to No. 4 Valley despite thrilling wins from Green, Cole Rathjen
The Ankeny wrestling team is still seeking that breakthrough victory. The Hawks battled fourth-ranked Valley down to the wire before dropping a 38-29 decision in a CIML Central Conference dual meet on Thursday at Ankeny. "I thought the kids wrestled with a lot of heart tonight and that's been pretty typical," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall, whose team … [Read more...] about Hawks fall to No. 4 Valley despite thrilling wins from Green, Cole Rathjen
Centennial wrestlers rout Little Cyclones, 76-0
A lot of hard work over the Christmas break paid off for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers. The Jaguars returned to the mat on Thursday and rolled to a 76-0 victory over visiting Ames in a CIML Central Conference dual meet. They raised their records to 1-2 in the conference and 11-4 overall. "We put in a lot of time over the break, and I spent a lot of … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers rout Little Cyclones, 76-0
Hawk swimmers dominate in 138-42 victory over S.E. Polk
The Ankeny boys' swimming team dominated Thursday's dual meet against visiting Southeast Polk from start to finish. The second-ranked Hawks opened the meet by sweeping the top three places in the 200 medley relay, built an early 46-16 lead and went on to post a 138-42 victory at Trail Point Aquatics Center. "This team is full of potential," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers dominate in 138-42 victory over S.E. Polk
Ankeny’s Thomas participates in USA Rugby High School All-American Camp
Mason Thomas decided to give up wrestling when he was a freshman. Last fall, the Ankeny High School junior also stopped playing football. The 6-foot, 200-pound Thomas elected to focus his energy on the sport of rugby, and it turned out to be a good move. Thomas participated in the USA Rugby High School All-American Camp last week in … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Thomas participates in USA Rugby High School All-American Camp
Wycoff makes successful transition to point guard, leads No. 5 Jaguars to 8-2 start
When Keanna Williams returns to the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball lineup later this month, the senior point guard may not get her old position back. That's because Sydney Wycoff doesn't want to give it up. Wycoff, a senior, took over the point guard duties after Williams suffered a torn ACL during an AAU tournament last summer. She has led the … [Read more...] about Wycoff makes successful transition to point guard, leads No. 5 Jaguars to 8-2 start
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Brandon Van Meter, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Senior guard Brandon Van Meter of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Van Meter has helped the Jaguars to a 5-3 record this season, including wins in five of their last six games. He is averaging 3.1 points per game and ranks second on the team with 15 assists. The Jaguars will host … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Brandon Van Meter, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Lindaman competes for spot on USA Softball Women’s National Team
The game of softball has taken Kendyl Lindaman to a lot of different places. In 2020, it could take her to the Olympics in Tokyo. "It's always been my dream to play in the Olympics, and I think this would be a great start...making this team," Lindaman said on Sunday as she tried to catch a connecting flight in Chicago for the USA Softball Women's … [Read more...] about Lindaman competes for spot on USA Softball Women’s National Team
Manning has no regrets about returning to Oklahoma for sixth season
For many reasons, Maddie Manning returned to the Oklahoma women's basketball team for one more season. Another chance to play at Iowa State was just one of them. Manning, a former Ankeny star, paid her final visit to Hilton Coliseum on New Year's Eve, helping the Sooners to a 74-69 victory before a crowd of 9,791. The graduate student guard scored 12 … [Read more...] about Manning has no regrets about returning to Oklahoma for sixth season
Manning sinks 3-pointer to join 1,000-point club
Maddie Manning made only one shot from the field during Sunday's game at Hilton Coliseum, but it was one that she'll never forget. The former Ankeny star swished a 3-pointer from the right corner about 3 minutes into the first quarter to become the 33rd player in Oklahoma history to reach the 1,000-point career mark. The 6-foot-2 guard went on to score 12 … [Read more...] about Manning sinks 3-pointer to join 1,000-point club
Hawk wrestlers off to 5-4 start, will host No. 5 Valley Thursday
Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall is anxious to get the second half of the season under way. The Hawks, who will host fifth-ranked Valley on Thursday, finished 2017 with a 5-4 dual-meet record. Three of their four losses came to opponents ranked in the top five of the Iowa Wrestling Coaches Association dual team rankings. "We were ready for a break," … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers off to 5-4 start, will host No. 5 Valley Thursday
Jaguars looking to break school record for most victories in season
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team has already captured a pair of titles this season. The Jaguars racked up 214.5 points to win the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational on Dec. 2, then won their own Centennial Duals one week later by posting a perfect 5-0 record. "We're wrestling pretty well," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We won our first two … [Read more...] about Jaguars looking to break school record for most victories in season
Crouch: ‘The sky’s the limit’ for Hawk swimmers
The Ankeny boys' swimming team might be getting healthy at the right time. The second-ranked Hawks posted a 5-1 record in the first month of the season, despite battling some illnesses. Their only loss came to No. 1 Ames, 98-72, on Dec. 7 at Trail Point Aquatics Center. "We had a tough meet with Ames, but it was a close meet considering that we had a … [Read more...] about Crouch: ‘The sky’s the limit’ for Hawk swimmers
Ankeny bowling teams adapt to new coach, fire that destroyed Plaza Lanes
When an overnight fire destroyed Plaza Lanes on Dec. 18, the immediate future of the Ankeny bowling teams was left uncertain. Plaza Lanes was the home venue for Ankeny and four other CIML schools. The facility was also the site of the annual state tournament. "It was a tragedy and I'm heartbroken for the staff at Plaza, but it's amazing how the bowling … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams adapt to new coach, fire that destroyed Plaza Lanes
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jackson Brannan, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Jackson Brannan is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The senior guard has helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 5-3 record. Brannan is averaging 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He ranks second on the team with 10 steals and is tied for third on the squad with 11 assists. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jackson Brannan, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball
Wycoff’s buzzer-beater lifts Jaguars past Ankeny in thriller
Sydney Wycoff was still trembling several minutes after she made a game-winning basket. "It's awesome. I'm so excited," Wycoff said. "I'm still shaking." The senior guard drove the length of the court in the final 6 seconds, split two defenders and banked in a left-handed layup as time expired to give the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' … [Read more...] about Wycoff’s buzzer-beater lifts Jaguars past Ankeny in thriller
Veteran Jaguars hold off young Hawks’ upset bid
Bob Fontana wasn't fooled by the Ankeny boys' basketball team's 1-6 record. The Ankeny Centennial head coach knew that his Jaguars were in for a dogfight when they traveled across town to face the Hawks on Dec. 21. "I knew we were going to be in for a battle with (Dillon Carlson) back--he's a nice player," Fontana said of the junior guard who was … [Read more...] about Veteran Jaguars hold off young Hawks’ upset bid