The CIML Conference basketball champions could be crowned this week. The top-ranked Johnston girls' squad clinched at least a share of the title with a 69-33 win over Valley on Friday. The Dragons will host No. 4 Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday and can secure the outright championship with a victory. On the boys' … [Read more...] about CIML Conference basketball standings
Fast start fuels Hawks past No. 9 Dowling for their 3rd victory over top-10 opponent
As the calendar turns to February, the Ankeny boys' basketball team appears to be peaking just in time for the stretch run. One week after suffering a humbling loss on its home court to Southeast Polk, the Hawks traveled to Dowling Catholic on Friday and posted a 63-48 victory over the … [Read more...] about Fast start fuels Hawks past No. 9 Dowling for their 3rd victory over top-10 opponent
Hawkettes contain Zediker, but Dowling finds other ways to score in 60-40 victory
Dowling Catholic star Ava Zediker was held scoreless for nearly 11 minutes in Friday's girls' basketball game against visiting Ankeny. The Creighton recruit went on to score just six points on 2-of-9 shooting--nearly 13 below her average. "That was part of our plan to try to take away Ava," said Ankeny coach Nate Tobey. "It's easier … [Read more...] about Hawkettes contain Zediker, but Dowling finds other ways to score in 60-40 victory
Centennial boys suffer another injury, then drop 62-41 decision at No. 6 Waukee
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Before the ball even tipped off, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team was battling some adversity. The Jaguars were already dealing with a recent string of injuries and illnesses, all while having to travel out to Waukee on Friday to face the sixth-ranked Warriors. Centennial fell into a hole early on and went … [Read more...] about Centennial boys suffer another injury, then drop 62-41 decision at No. 6 Waukee
‘We had a great night’: Ankeny girls win regional title, advance 9 wrestlers to state
The Ankeny girls' wrestling team was assigned to the Class 2A regional site at Cedar Rapids Jefferson along with seven squads from eastern Iowa. The long trip on Friday to the "City of Five Seasons" didn't seem to bother coach Dustin Roland's team. Ankeny crowned five individual champions, had four other girls qualify for state … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great night’: Ankeny girls win regional title, advance 9 wrestlers to state
‘We just didn’t finish out the game well’: Jaguars fall at Waukee in last few minutes
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It was an uphill battle most of the way for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. In the end, the fourth-ranked Jaguars fell just a little short. Despite battling back from a 10-point deficit and a strong second half from senior Mya Crawford, Centennial dropped a 57-53 decision at No. 12 Waukee in a … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t finish out the game well’: Jaguars fall at Waukee in last few minutes
DOG PILE: Grider commits to join Kluver, Anderson on Drake football roster
Ankeny Centennial football standout Mitchell Grider has decided to follow in the footsteps of teammates Reed Anderson and Chase Kluver. The senior defensive lineman said he would have committed to play for Drake anyway. "Their commitment had no effect on my choice," said Grider, who announced his verbal commitment to the Bulldogs on … [Read more...] about DOG PILE: Grider commits to join Kluver, Anderson on Drake football roster
Waukee tops Ankeny in matchup of undefeated CIML girls’ bowling squads
A perfect season for the Ankeny girls' bowling team came to an end on Thursday at the hands of another undefeated squad. Ankeny dropped a 2,587-2,183 decision to host Waukee in a CIML Conference dual meet at Warrior Lanes. The Warriors are now 9-0 on the season, while coach Nick Payton's team dropped to 5-1 in the league and 8-1 overall. "It was a … [Read more...] about Waukee tops Ankeny in matchup of undefeated CIML girls’ bowling squads
Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Nick Payton, Ankeny bowling
The second-year coach guided the Ankeny girls' team to an 8-0 start before the Hawkettes suffered their first loss on Thursday, dropping a 2,587-2,183 decision to another unbeaten squad from Waukee. … [Read more...] about Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Nick Payton, Ankeny bowling
‘We went out and fought’: Jags drop 58-14 decision to No. 1 S.E. Polk on Senior Night
The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team celebrated its Senior Night on Thursday before dropping a 58-14 decision to visiting Southeast Polk. It was the final home meet for the 14th-ranked Jaguars, who finished 5-3 in the CIML Conference and fell to 10-10 overall. "We have almost 20 seniors, and it's nice just to have those guys around," said Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘We went out and fought’: Jags drop 58-14 decision to No. 1 S.E. Polk on Senior Night
Hawks roll to 45-24 victory at Urbandale, will face Norwalk next at regional dual
The ninth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team closed out the regular season on Thursday with a 45-24 victory at No. 20 Urbandale. The Hawks were also slated to wrestle No. 11 Norwalk, but that meet was cancelled. "When the regional dual pairings were announced, it was agreed upon with Norwalk that we would not wrestle tonight," said Ankeny coach Jack … [Read more...] about Hawks roll to 45-24 victory at Urbandale, will face Norwalk next at regional dual
Hawks assigned to Carlisle site, Jaguars headed to Waukee NW for regional duals
The road to the Class 3A state duals tournament won't be an easy one for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial wrestling teams. In fact, both the Hawks and Jaguars will have to hit the road. The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced the sites and assignments for the regional duals on Wednesday. Regional duals are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, … [Read more...] about Hawks assigned to Carlisle site, Jaguars headed to Waukee NW for regional duals
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 292
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Legacy Realty of Iowa and Revive Dermatology Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm interviews coach Dustin Roland, senior Haylee McGrew and sophomore Hayden Bratland of the Ankeny girls' wrestling team about the upcoming regional and state tournaments. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 292
‘We competed from start to finish’: Ankeny girls defeat Roosevelt to stay unbeaten
After posting another victory on Tuesday, the Ankeny girls' bowling team is headed for a big showdown on Thursday. Ankeny defeated host Des Moines Roosevelt by a score of 2,316 to 2,129 in a non-conference meet at Air Lanes Bowling Center. It was a season-high score for coach Nick Payton's squad, which improved its overall record to 8-0. Ankeny's … [Read more...] about ‘We competed from start to finish’: Ankeny girls defeat Roosevelt to stay unbeaten
Ex-Jaguar Robinson named Horizon League’s Freshman of the Week
Former Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball player Reece Robinson has been named the Horizon League's Freshman of the Week after helping Cleveland State extend its winning streak to 12 consecutive games, tied for the second-longest in the country. Robinson averaged 10 points and seven rebounds per game in helping his team to a 2-0 week with home … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Robinson named Horizon League’s Freshman of the Week
Hawks rebound from lopsided defeat by routing Indianola, even their record at 7-7
Three days after the Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered its worst loss ever under coach Brandt Carlson, the Hawks enjoyed the other end of the spectrum. Ankeny held visiting Indianola to just 19.1 percent shooting from the field (9-of-47) and cruised to an 81-29 victory in a non-conference game on Monday. It was the Hawks' largest win ever under … [Read more...] about Hawks rebound from lopsided defeat by routing Indianola, even their record at 7-7
Hawkettes connect on 11 3-point goals in win over Indianola, will face Dowling next
The Ankeny girls' basketball team struggled from the 3-point line during Friday's one-point loss to Southeast Polk, making just 7-of-29 attempts from behind the arc (24.1 percent). The 15th-ranked Hawkettes found their shooting stroke on Monday. Ankeny connected on 11-of-28 3-pointers (39.3 percent) and rolled to a 65-33 victory over visiting Indianola … [Read more...] about Hawkettes connect on 11 3-point goals in win over Indianola, will face Dowling next
Engebretson, McGrew reach 100-victory mark as Ankeny wins Pleasantville Duals
Seniors Elyse Engebretson and Haylee McGrew each recorded their 100th career victories as the Ankeny girls' wrestling team closed out the dual-meet season on Monday by winning the Pleasantville Duals. Second-ranked Ankeny defeated Albia on a criteria decision after the two squads finished in a 39-39 tie. Coach Dustin Roland's team was awarded the victory … [Read more...] about Engebretson, McGrew reach 100-victory mark as Ankeny wins Pleasantville Duals
‘Drake is a great fit for me’: Kluver flips commitment from Sioux Falls to Bulldogs
The Drake football program has landed another recruit from Ankeny Centennial. Shortly after linebacker Reed Anderson committed to play for the Bulldogs next fall, fellow senior Chase Kluver followed suit. He becomes the latest player to join the first recruiting class for new Drake coach Joe Woodley, who took over the program after leading Grand View to … [Read more...] about ‘Drake is a great fit for me’: Kluver flips commitment from Sioux Falls to Bulldogs
Jags’ Dhabolt named most outstanding wrestler after winning Ed Winger crown
Ankeny Centennial sophomore Max Dhabolt showed on Saturday why he's a serious contender to become the school's first-ever state wrestling champion. The third-ranked Dhabolt defeated the two wrestlers ranked above him in Class 3A to win the 157-pound title in the Ed Winger Invitational at Urbandale. He posted a 4-2 … [Read more...] about Jags’ Dhabolt named most outstanding wrestler after winning Ed Winger crown