It's never easy to win on the road against the Johnston baseball team. Sweeping a doubleheader against the Dragons on their home turf is almost impossible. But that's exactly what Ankeny Centennial did on Thursday, posting back-to-back wins of 6-1 and 6-3 against the most dominant program in Class 4A over the last decade. "Our guys played very … [Read more...] about Severs, Starr, Morris hurl Jaguars to doubleheader sweep at No. 2 Johnston
‘The girls rebounded well’: Centennial sweeps doubleheader at No. 10 Johnston
The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team bounced back from a season-opening loss to sweep a doubleheader on Thursday at No. 10 Johnston. The Jaguars posted a 3-2 victory in the opener, then rolled to a 9-0 win in five innings in the nightcap. They are now 2-1 in the CIML Conference and overall, while Johnston's records dropped to 1-2 and … [Read more...] about ‘The girls rebounded well’: Centennial sweeps doubleheader at No. 10 Johnston
Struggling Hawks drop both games of doubleheader against No. 4 Waukee
The Ankeny baseball team dropped both games of a doubleheader against visiting Waukee on Thursday. The fourth-ranked Warriors posted a 6-3 victory in the first game, then completed the sweep with a 15-1 win in five innings. They improved to 3-0 in the CIML Conference and 9-0 overall, while Ankeny's records dropped to 0-3 and 0-7. Waukee has outscored … [Read more...] about Struggling Hawks drop both games of doubleheader against No. 4 Waukee
‘They were out for vengeance’: No. 6 Ames boys avenge loss, end Jaguars’ season
The Ames boys' soccer team that showed up for Thursday's Class 4A substate final was the same squad that lost to Ankeny Centennial 24 days ago on its home pitch. The sixth-ranked Little Cyclones just played with a lot more energy in the rematch. Ames avenged a 4-2 loss on May 5 by defeating No. 9 Centennial, 2-1, with a trip to the state tournament on … [Read more...] about ‘They were out for vengeance’: No. 6 Ames boys avenge loss, end Jaguars’ season
‘Having fresh legs is a huge benefit’: Ankeny gets some rest in rout over Rails
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It took just a tick under 7 minutes into the game for Alli Macke to score off a corner kick, and the rest was history. The fifth-ranked and top-seeded Ankeny girls' soccer team set a new season-high in goals after seven different players combined for nine goals in a shutout victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in a Class … [Read more...] about ‘Having fresh legs is a huge benefit’: Ankeny gets some rest in rout over Rails
‘It just didn’t work out tonight’: Jaguars open season with 4-3 loss at Waukee
While the Waukee softball team opened its season on Tuesday with a doubleheader sweep over Des Moines Lincoln, Ankeny Centennial wasn't as fortunate. The Jaguars were hoping to tune up for their CIML Conference opener at Waukee with a game at Norwalk, but Tuesday's non-conference contest was postponed due to rain. Without a game under its belt, … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t work out tonight’: Jaguars open season with 4-3 loss at Waukee
Jaguars’ late rally falls short as No. 4 Waukee holds on to remain unbeaten
A late rally by the Ankeny Centennial baseball team came up short in a 6-3 loss at fourth-ranked Waukee on Wednesday. Trailing 5-0, the Jaguars rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth inning and then had the tying runs in scoring position with one out, but Waukee pitcher Grant Sorensen worked his way out of the jam to preserve the win in the CIML … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ late rally falls short as No. 4 Waukee holds on to remain unbeaten
‘We came out strong right away’: Ankeny takes 4-0 lead before Dragons rally to win
The seventh-ranked Ankeny softball team jumped out to a 4-0 lead before No. 10 Johnston rallied for a 6-4 victory in a CIML Conference game on Wednesday at Ankeny. It was the season opener for both squads. "That's what it's going to be like every night," said first-year Ankeny coach Sarah Saladino. "Whether it's a single (game) or a doubleheader, … [Read more...] about ‘We came out strong right away’: Ankeny takes 4-0 lead before Dragons rally to win
No. 2 Dragons edge Davies, Ankeny to win pitchers’ duel in CIML Conference opener
The Ankeny baseball team took a big step forward on Wednesday. The Hawks opened CIML Conference play with a 3-1 loss to visiting Johnston, the No. 2 team in Class 4A. The Dragons (5-1) scored the go-ahead runs in the sixth inning. "It was a very well-played high school baseball game," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz, whose team dropped to 0-5 on the … [Read more...] about No. 2 Dragons edge Davies, Ankeny to win pitchers’ duel in CIML Conference opener
Jaguars cruise past depleted Urbandale squad, will host Roosevelt in regional final
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team took advantage of a depleted opponent on Wednesday to move one victory away from another trip to the Class 3A state tournament. The third-ranked Jaguars scored a season-high nine goals and rolled to a 9-0 victory over Urbandale in a Class 3A regional semifinal at Ankeny Stadium. The J-Hawks had not allowed more … [Read more...] about Jaguars cruise past depleted Urbandale squad, will host Roosevelt in regional final
Goals by Mujakovic, Byauunda lift Jaguars to substate victory over Marshalltown
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) In a game where the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team found chance after chance to put the ball in the back of the net, it felt like it was just a matter of time until one went its way. Goals by junior Alen Mujakovic and senior Kai Byauunda in the second half finally powered the ninth-ranked Jaguars to a 2-0 victory over … [Read more...] about Goals by Mujakovic, Byauunda lift Jaguars to substate victory over Marshalltown
‘We deserve it’: Ankeny boys roll past Cedar Falls behind Benge, Wahlberg
Cal Wahlberg and Landon Benge each scored a pair of goals to lead the Ankeny boys' soccer team to a 6-2 victory over visiting Cedar Falls in a Class 4A substate semifinal on a rainy Tuesday night. Austin Lundberg and Andrew Loder also found the net for the eighth-ranked Hawks, who matched their season-high of six goals in a win over Ames on April … [Read more...] about ‘We deserve it’: Ankeny boys roll past Cedar Falls behind Benge, Wahlberg
Petersen to resign as Centennial girls’ golf coach; Smith exits from AHS girls’ tennis
John Petersen and Steve Smith were both hired for head coaching positions in the Ankeny school district in the spring of 2019. Now, several years later, they are both departing at the same time. Petersen is planning to resign as the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf coach. He has yet to officially submit his resignation letter, but has told his golfers of … [Read more...] about Petersen to resign as Centennial girls’ golf coach; Smith exits from AHS girls’ tennis
Centennial is No. 2, Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A in first softball rankings of season
The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union released its first softball rankings of the season on Tuesday. Ankeny Centennial is No. 2 in Class 5A behind CIML Conference rival Waukee Northwest. The Jaguars will open their season on Tuesday night with a non-conference game at Norwalk, the No. 7 team in Class 4A. Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Centennial is No. 2, Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A in first softball rankings of season
Ankeny’s Victor, Weichers eliminated from boys’ Class 2A state doubles tournament
The Ankeny doubles team of Dylan Victor and Garrett Weichers was eliminated from the boys' Class 2A state tennis tournament on Tuesday at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City. Victor and Weichers opened the tournament with a 6-1, 6-4 loss to Brock Davis and Preston Haefner of Cedar Rapids Washington. The Hawks played their best tennis in … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Victor, Weichers eliminated from boys’ Class 2A state doubles tournament
‘We’ve played some good teams’: City High, C.R. Kennedy extend Hawks’ skid
The slow start has continued for the Ankeny baseball team. After dropping both games of a doubleheader against fifth-ranked Pleasant Valley on Thursday, the Hawks traveled to Cedar Rapids on Saturday to face two more ranked opponents. Ankeny dropped an 8-1 decision to Iowa City High, the No. 1 team in the preseason rankings. The Hawks then fell to 0-4 … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve played some good teams’: City High, C.R. Kennedy extend Hawks’ skid
‘I really like this team’: Jaguars knock off No. 9 C.R. Kennedy behind Morris, Arndt
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team split a pair of games on Saturday in Cedar Rapids. The Jaguars bounced back from a 5-3 loss to Bettendorf with a 3-1 victory over ninth-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy. "I really like this team," said Centennial coach Mark Hey, whose squad is now 2-1 on the season. "They grind every day whether it's a game or … [Read more...] about ‘I really like this team’: Jaguars knock off No. 9 C.R. Kennedy behind Morris, Arndt
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Morgan Fisher, Ankeny girls’ track
Morgan Fisher helped the Ankeny girls' track team to a fifth-place finish in the Class 4A state meet Thursday through Saturday at Drake Stadium. Fisher placed fourth in the 400 in 56.61 seconds and finished 11th in the 200 in 25.58. She also ran on the runner-up distance medley and fourth-place 4x400 relays. As she now makes the transition to the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Morgan Fisher, Ankeny girls’ track
‘I love these guys to death’: Ankeny boys overcome adversity to defend 4A crown
Landon Pote proudly held on to the Class 4A championship trophy as his teammates on the Ankeny boys' track squad crowded around him on the infield turf at Drake Stadium. The Hawks had just won a second consecutive state title on Saturday in emphatic fashion. "I asked God for three things: for high jump to go better than last year, for shuttle hurdle to … [Read more...] about ‘I love these guys to death’: Ankeny boys overcome adversity to defend 4A crown
‘This is what you work for all year’: Jackson wins 200, anchors Jaguars’ winning 4×100
The Ankeny boys' track team stole most of the headlines on Saturday in the Class 4A state meet. But Braeden Jackson and the Ankeny Centennial sprinters made plenty of noise, too. Jackson won a state title in the 200, anchored his team to another victory in the 4x100 relay, and led Centennial to a fourth-place finish in the team standings. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘This is what you work for all year’: Jackson wins 200, anchors Jaguars’ winning 4×100