After giving up 83 points three nights earlier, the Ankeny boys' basketball team cranked up the defensive pressure on Friday. The Hawks held host Johnston to 3-of-20 shooting from 3-point range (15.0 percent) and posted a 51-45 victory in a CIML Conference game. Both teams are now 1-1 in the league and overall. "It felt good to get a win to start the … [Read more...] about Hawks crank up defensive pressure, knock off Johnston for road triumph
No. 1 Johnston girls build 25-point halftime lead in victory over Hawkettes
The gap between top-ranked Johnston and the rest of the girls' basketball teams in Class 5A appears to be pretty sizable. The host Dragons raced out to a 42-17 halftime lead and rolled to a 70-49 victory over No. 8 Ankeny in a CIML Conference game on Friday. They improved to 2-0 in the league and 3-0 overall, while the Hawkettes' records dropped to 0-2 … [Read more...] about No. 1 Johnston girls build 25-point halftime lead in victory over Hawkettes
Ankeny bowling teams fall to Johnston in first-ever meet at B-Roll Bowling
The Ankeny bowling teams were hoping to make a smashing debut in their first-ever meet at B-Roll Bowling. But visiting Johnston had other ideas. The Dragons swept Ankeny in a season-opening CIML Conference dual meet on Thursday. They won the boys' meet by a score of 2,315 to 2,303 and the girls' meet by a score of 1,973 to 1,844. The Johnston … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams fall to Johnston in first-ever meet at B-Roll Bowling
‘We got the job done’: Jags top Waukee, but aren’t satisfied with performance
A moral victory is defined as a defeat that can be interpreted as a victory on moral terms, because the defeated team exceeded its expectations. The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team may have experienced the opposite of a moral victory on Thursday, when the Jaguars posted a 39-24 win over a visiting Waukee squad that they defeated a year ago by 66 … [Read more...] about ‘We got the job done’: Jags top Waukee, but aren’t satisfied with performance
‘I’m proud of my guys’: Ankeny swimmers win 3 events in loss to powerful Waukee
The Ankeny boys' swimming team proved on Thursday that it could compete with three-time defending state champion Waukee. Even though the Warriors posted a 105-65 victory in the CIML Conference dual meet, Ankeny won three events and should have won another at Trail Point Aquatics Center. "Obviously, it’s a tough way to start the dual season against the … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of my guys’: Ankeny swimmers win 3 events in loss to powerful Waukee
Dowling wrestlers overcome 21-point deficit to tie Hawks, then win on criteria
With four matches left in Thursday's CIML Conference dual meet at Dowling Catholic, the Ankeny wrestling team held a 16-point lead and appeared to be on its way to a season-opening victory. Then things suddenly went awry. Dowling reeled off four straight triumphs, Ankeny was penalized a team point along the way for unsportsmanlike conduct, and that … [Read more...] about Dowling wrestlers overcome 21-point deficit to tie Hawks, then win on criteria
‘I’m looking forward to this next chapter’: Chippewas’ Bauer enters transfer portal
Former Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer has entered the transfer portal. A redshirt sophomore at Central Michigan, Bauer announced his decision on social media Wednesday. "First and foremost I want to thank God for allowing me to play the game I love," Bauer tweeted on X. "I wouldn't be anywhere today without his love and guidance. I also want to thank my … [Read more...] about ‘I’m looking forward to this next chapter’: Chippewas’ Bauer enters transfer portal
Hawks drop opener at Waukee despite Johnson’s career-high 35 points
Carson Johnson is poised to have a big senior season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Whether or not that translates into a huge campaign for the Hawks remains to be seen. Johnson poured in a career-high 35 points on Tuesday, but it wasn't enough as Ankeny dropped an 83-73 decision at Waukee in a CIML Conference game. It was the season opener for … [Read more...] about Hawks drop opener at Waukee despite Johnson’s career-high 35 points
‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys top Urbandale on Fontana’s birthday
Bob Fontana celebrated his birthday on Tuesday with a season-opening victory. His Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team jumped out to an early lead and led all the way in a 64-51 win at Urbandale in a CIML Conference game. "It was a good road win and a good way to start the season," said Fontana. "You never know what to expect the first game. You're … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys top Urbandale on Fontana’s birthday
Ankeny girls rack up 7 falls, roll past Valley in CIML Conference opener
The Ankeny girls' wrestling team will find out in the next couple of days where it stands among the state's elite squads. Ankeny coach Dustin Roland was hoping that his team would be tested on Tuesday, but that didn't turn out to be the case. Roland's squad recorded seven falls and won five other matches by forfeit to beat Valley, 72-12, in its CIML … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rack up 7 falls, roll past Valley in CIML Conference opener
Centennial girls dominate boards, force 26 turnovers in victory at Urbandale
On a night when the shots weren't falling at a high rate for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team, the Jaguars found other ways to dominate their opponent. Fifth-ranked Centennial racked up a 48-19 rebounding advantage and also forced 26 turnovers en route to a 75-33 victory at Urbandale in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about Centennial girls dominate boards, force 26 turnovers in victory at Urbandale
Centennial wrestlers romp to wins over Albia, West Marshall to open season
Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth isn't sure what the Jaguars' best lineup will be just yet. But the one that he put on the mat Tuesday night looked pretty good. Centennial opened the season with a pair of lopsided victories in a double dual meet. The host Jaguars posted a 58-16 win over Albia, then rolled to a 72-6 triumph over West … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers romp to wins over Albia, West Marshall to open season
‘It’s a testament to our girls’: Hawkettes’ furious rally falls short at No. 8 Waukee
A furious rally by the Ankeny girls' basketball team came up short in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday at Waukee. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes nearly overcame an 18-point deficit in the second half before No. 8 Waukee held on for a 62-57 victory. "I just wanted our girls to have a shot at the end, and I felt like they did," said Ankeny coach Nate … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a testament to our girls’: Hawkettes’ furious rally falls short at No. 8 Waukee
Ankeny bowling teams to begin season under new coach at new home venue
The Ankeny bowling teams will open their season on Thursday by hosting a CIML Conference dual meet against Johnston at B-Roll Bowling, which is now the home venue for both programs. Ankeny also has a new head coach in Nick Payton, who took over the programs following the departure of Lane Richtsmeier after four seasons. "The bowlers have been excited … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams to begin season under new coach at new home venue
Ankeny wrestlers look to reload after graduating 4 state placewinners
The Ankeny wrestling team suffered some heavy losses to graduation last spring, forcing coach Jack Wignall to fill some holes in the Hawks' lineup. Five of the squad's nine state qualifiers and four of the six placewinners will have to be replaced. "We did lose a talented group of seniors," said Wignall. "They won a lot of matches and scored … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers look to reload after graduating 4 state placewinners
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jayla Williams, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Sophomore guard Jayla Williams has helped the 13th-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 2-0 start. Williams scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds in the Hawkettes' 60-55 overtime victory against No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday at Ankeny. She is averaging 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jayla Williams, Ankeny girls’ basketball
‘This was a huge win’: Late rally allows Jaguars to knock off No. 2 Pleasant Valley
This wasn't just another November victory for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The fifth-ranked Jaguars scored the final nine points of the game and rallied to beat No. 2 Pleasant Valley, 44-40, on Saturday in Cedar Rapids. The contest was part of the 19th Rivalry Saturday held on the campus of Kirkwood Community College. "To go to a … [Read more...] about ‘This was a huge win’: Late rally allows Jaguars to knock off No. 2 Pleasant Valley
‘We have talent and depth and numbers’: Jaguars boast 8 returning state qualifiers
A year ago, Ankeny Centennial advanced 12 wrestlers to the Class 3A state tournament--the most in school history. Now, eight of those 12 wrestlers are back, the most returning qualifiers the Jaguars have ever had under coach Jay Groth. "We are an experienced crew," Groth said. "We are working hard to raise the bar to get to the next level. We have a … [Read more...] about ‘We have talent and depth and numbers’: Jaguars boast 8 returning state qualifiers
Senior trio of Aguirre, Johnson, Schoolen to lead way for Ankeny boys’ squad
Even though the Ankeny boys' basketball team struggled to a 9-15 record last year, head coach Brandt Carlson didn't view it as a disappointing season. "I guess if we view every season through the lens of wins and losses, then last year wasn't ideal," he said. "But I believe that last year our players moved our program forward and handled a lot of … [Read more...] about Senior trio of Aguirre, Johnson, Schoolen to lead way for Ankeny boys’ squad
Jaguars return 3 starters from state tourney team, led by all-stater Winkel
On paper, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team returns some of the key players from last year's squad that posted a 16-8 record and qualified for the Class 4A state tournament. Centennial coach Bob Fontana knows, however, that another successful season is not guaranteed. "We do have a nucleus to build around and having experience can be … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 3 starters from state tourney team, led by all-stater Winkel