Ankeny Fanatic

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Dan Holm

Iowa Central all-American Palmer commits to play softball at St. Cloud State

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Former Ankeny softball standout Kennedy Palmer has committed to play for St. Cloud State. Palmer, a sophomore infielder at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, has helped the Tritons to a 30-5 record in 2024-25. She is currently batting .378 with one triple, six doubles and 16 RBIs in 30 games played. "I had a few schools that were high up on … [Read more...] about Iowa Central all-American Palmer commits to play softball at St. Cloud State

DOWN TO THE WIRE: Ankeny boys drop 5-4 decision to Cedar Rapids Jefferson

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For the second time in four days, the doubles matches proved to be the difference in a narrow loss for the Ankeny boys' tennis team. The Hawks dropped to 0-2 on the season with a 5-4 loss to visiting Cedar Rapids Jefferson in a non-conference meet on Friday. The J-Hawks won two of the three doubles matches after the two teams split the six singles … [Read more...] about DOWN TO THE WIRE: Ankeny boys drop 5-4 decision to Cedar Rapids Jefferson

Jags win 10 events, rack up 411.5 points to claim team crown at Kenny Dean Relays

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Thursday's performance by the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team may have been one of the most dominant in the history of the Jaguars' program. Centennial won 10 events, including five relays, and easily captured the team title in the Kenny Dean Relays at Marshalltown. The Jaguars racked up 411.5 points, more than twice as many as runner-up Southeast … [Read more...] about Jags win 10 events, rack up 411.5 points to claim team crown at Kenny Dean Relays

Centennial’s Woods qualifies for Drake in 100 hurdles; 4×400 relay also qualifies

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team met the Blue Oval standard in two events while tying for eighth place overall among 15 squads at the Waukee Northwest Relays on Thursday. "It was an awesome night for our team!" said Centennial coach Tyler Asbe. "The energy and effort displayed by the girls was fantastic, and we came away with many strong … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Woods qualifies for Drake in 100 hurdles; 4×400 relay also qualifies

Ankeny girls’ soccer coach Brown named assistant for Wisconsin men’s program

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Ankeny girls' soccer coach Simon Brown has been named an assistant coach for the Wisconsin men's soccer program. Brown is planning to finish out the current season with the Hawkettes while he gets settled in Madison. "I'll be going back and forth as much as possible for games and practices," Brown said. "These girls deserve to have their season, and I … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ soccer coach Brown named assistant for Wisconsin men’s program

Centennial guard Jensen commits to play basketball next year at Wartburg College

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Ankeny Centennial senior guard Rex Jensen has committed to play basketball for Wartburg College next year. Jensen announced his decision on social media last week. "Blessed to announce I will be continuing my academic and basketball career at Wartburg College!" Jensen tweeted on X. Jensen helped the Jaguars to a 5-17 record this season. He started … [Read more...] about Centennial guard Jensen commits to play basketball next year at Wartburg College

Centennial boys still seeking first victory after falling to Roughriders, Wolves

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team is still searching for its first victory of the season. The Jaguars suffered an 11-0 loss to visiting Waukee Northwest in a CIML Conference meet on Tuesday. They dropped to 0-2 in the league and 0-4 overall under first-year coach Grant Menadue. "I'm proud of the way the guys fought against a really strong team," … [Read more...] about Centennial boys still seeking first victory after falling to Roughriders, Wolves

‘Our team did a great job of competing’: Hawkettes open with 9-2 loss to Valley

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In its first test of the season, the Ankeny girls' tennis team dropped a 9-2 decision to visiting Valley in a CIML Conference matchup on Tuesday. It was also the season opener for the Tigers, who won five of the six singles matches and four of the five doubles matches. "We’ve been having extremely intense practices the first two weeks to attempt to … [Read more...] about ‘Our team did a great job of competing’: Hawkettes open with 9-2 loss to Valley

Wolves erupt for trio of goals in 2nd half, hand No. 5 Centennial girls their first loss

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After successfully co-hosting the Crosstown Invitational last weekend, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players had all the momentum and motivation a team could need to start off CIML Conference play with a win. However, Tuesday night didn’t end how the fifth-ranked Jaguars envisioned as they surrendered three goals in … [Read more...] about Wolves erupt for trio of goals in 2nd half, hand No. 5 Centennial girls their first loss

‘If 1 and 2 tie, that’s OK’: Hawkettes, Tigers battle to scoreless draw in showdown

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Two defensive juggernauts collided on Tuesday as the top-ranked Ankeny girls' soccer team hosted No. 2 Valley in a showdown between the top two squads in Class 3A. And thanks to a new rule from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union, the Hawkettes and Tigers battled to a 0-0 draw. In previous seasons, the game would have been extended into a pair … [Read more...] about ‘If 1 and 2 tie, that’s OK’: Hawkettes, Tigers battle to scoreless draw in showdown

‘We had a nice night of competition’: Jaguars place 5th at Oldham Invitational

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team won a pair of relays and placed fifth overall among seven squads in the Craig Oldham Invitational on Tuesday at Johnston. The Jaguars, who also got a victory from Ava Barten in the 400 hurdles, finished with 70 points. Barten posted a time of 1:07.01 to edge Alayna Schulte of Waukee Northwest by .40 seconds. "We … [Read more...] about ‘We had a nice night of competition’: Jaguars place 5th at Oldham Invitational

Inexperienced Centennial girls tumble to Waukee Northwest in season opener

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Tuesday's season opener provided a huge test for the inexperienced Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. With only three returning varsity regulars, the Jaguars traveled to Waukee Northwest to face one of the state's top squads. The Wolves dominated the CIML Conference matchup, rolling to an 11-0 victory. Northwest won four of the singles matches … [Read more...] about Inexperienced Centennial girls tumble to Waukee Northwest in season opener

‘Uninspired’ Centennial boys drop 3-1 decision to Wolves in conference opener

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Brian Duax didn't mince any words after his Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team fell to visiting Waukee Northwest, 3-1, in the CIML Conference opener for both squads on Tuesday. "We were awful. Uninspired. Unprepared," said the Jaguars' longtime coach. "But I put the onus on myself. We had a game plan, and I thought it was working. But they punched us in … [Read more...] about ‘Uninspired’ Centennial boys drop 3-1 decision to Wolves in conference opener

Tomlinson, Pote earn victories as Hawks shine in field events at Urbandale Invite

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The Ankeny boys' track team is well known for its collection of outstanding sprinters, hurdlers and distance runners. But the Hawks are pretty strong in the field events as well. Ankeny scored a total of 25 points in the jumping and throwing events at the Urbandale Invitational on Tuesday. There were no official results beyond those four events because … [Read more...] about Tomlinson, Pote earn victories as Hawks shine in field events at Urbandale Invite

‘We played well for 45 minutes’: Hawks take early lead before falling at Valley, 3-1

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The Ankeny boys' soccer team was hoping to prevent Valley coach Aziz Haffar from reaching a milestone on Tuesday night. And for more than a half, the Hawks did just that. Ankeny built a 1-0 lead before the Tigers rallied for three goals in the final 40 minutes to post a 3-1 victory at Valley Stadium, giving Haffar his 600th career win. "We played … [Read more...] about ‘We played well for 45 minutes’: Hawks take early lead before falling at Valley, 3-1

Ankeny boys build lead during singles play before Valley rallies for 7-4 victory

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After getting off to a good start in singles, the Ankeny boys' tennis team got swept in doubles and dropped a 7-4 decision to visiting Valley in a CIML Conference meet on Tuesday. It was the season opener for both squads. "We played very well in singles, but our doubles needs work," said Ankeny coach Ron Miller. "We will spend as much time as we can … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys build lead during singles play before Valley rallies for 7-4 victory

‘It was a great night’: Hawkettes win 7 events, place 2nd overall at Ankeny Quad

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The Ankeny girls' track team racked up seven victories while placing second overall in the Ankeny Quadrangular on Tuesday at Ankeny Stadium. Valley won the meet with 113 points. Ankeny finished with 102 points, followed by Ames with 92 and Indianola with 83. "It was a great night," said Ankeny coach TJ Jumper. "We were really purposeful and not … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great night’: Hawkettes win 7 events, place 2nd overall at Ankeny Quad

Ankeny golfers earn 3rd-place finish at Waukee NW Invite behind Ross sisters

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The Ankeny girls' golf team placed third among five squads in the season-opening Waukee Northwest Invitational on Monday at The Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk. The Hawkettes posted a score of 413 on a cold and windy day. "It was so great to get back into competition this year," said Ankeny coach Kelley Emke. "It was definitely a hard day on the … [Read more...] about Ankeny golfers earn 3rd-place finish at Waukee NW Invite behind Ross sisters

IHSAA announces football schedules for 2025, 2026: Hawks, Jags to play in Week 4

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The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced the football schedules for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will play each other in Week 4 both years. Here are the complete schedules for both the Hawks and Jaguars: 2025 Ankeny (Group 3) Aug. 29: Waukee Northwest Sept. 5: at Waukee Sept. 12: Des Moines … [Read more...] about IHSAA announces football schedules for 2025, 2026: Hawks, Jags to play in Week 4