Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

Jaguars win 9 events at Early Bird Relays; Hawks ‘set the tone’ in shuttle hurdle

by

Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams made some strong statements on Thursday at the Waukee Northwest Early Bird Relays. No team scores were kept, but the Jaguars turned in a dominant performance. They won nine events, including four relays. The Hawks, meanwhile, had three victories--and two of them were particularly impressive. Ethan … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 9 events at Early Bird Relays; Hawks ‘set the tone’ in shuttle hurdle

‘I’m very excited for the opportunity’: Menadue hired to coach Centennial boys

by

A former Ankeny standout has been hired to take over the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis program. Grant Menadue, a state doubles qualifier in 2013, will replace the late Tami Lewton--who passed away last June after a courageous five-month battle against cancer. Lewton coached the team for eight seasons. "Coach Lewton was a very special coach and person … [Read more...] about ‘I’m very excited for the opportunity’: Menadue hired to coach Centennial boys

‘We are all ready to go’: Ankeny golfers gear up for their 2nd season under Emke

by

With a year under her belt, Kelley Emke is ready for her second season as the Ankeny girls' golf coach. "I definitely feel more comfortable in my role this year," said Emke. "There was so much to learn last year that I often felt like I was always coming up on new challenges. This year I think we are all ready to go. We know the expectations, we know what … [Read more...] about ‘We are all ready to go’: Ankeny golfers gear up for their 2nd season under Emke

‘It was an amazing run’: DeJong retires after 37 seasons, record 7 state titles

by

When Scott DeJong came to Ankeny in 1993 to take over the girls' basketball program, he replaced a legendary coach in Dick Rasmussen. Now, more than three decades later, DeJong has put an end to his own legendary career. The only head coach in Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball history, DeJong announced his retirement on Tuesday--shortly after giving … [Read more...] about ‘It was an amazing run’: DeJong retires after 37 seasons, record 7 state titles

THE END OF AN ERA: Jaguars’ coaching legend DeJong announces retirement

by

Girls' basketball coaching legend Scott DeJong of Ankeny Centennial has retired after 37 seasons, including the last 12 with the Jaguars. DeJong turned in his resignation letter to Activities Director Nate Lingren on Tuesday afternoon. "I had thought I would be doing this, but when it came down to it, I had a hard time writing the letter," DeJong said. … [Read more...] about THE END OF AN ERA: Jaguars’ coaching legend DeJong announces retirement

‘I need to catch my breath’: Fontana steps down from Jags’ program after 12 years

by

The only head coach in Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball history has stepped down from the program. Bob Fontana has resigned from his position after guiding the Jaguars to a 173-101 record over the last 12 seasons. "Not many coaches can say they got to come home and start a new program in a new school," said Fontana, who compiled a 474-299 mark … [Read more...] about ‘I need to catch my breath’: Fontana steps down from Jags’ program after 12 years

Crawford, Pratt to play in Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at DC-G

by

Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball standouts Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt will both compete in the 2025 Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Crawford and Pratt will both play for the Southwest Iowa team that will be coached by Maddie Gelber of Roland-Story and Jon Weinrich of Shenandoah. North Polk senior Abby Tuttle will also … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt to play in Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at DC-G

Jaguars win 4×400 relay, Ankeny’s Badillo ties for 1st in high jump at Central Indoor

by

Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams competed in the Central College Indoor Meet on Friday at Pella, and each squad came away with a victory. The Jaguars won the 4x400 relay with a time of 4:14.06. They won the race by more than 2 seconds over Southeast Polk. The highlight of Ankeny's day came in the high jump, where Mila Badillo … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4×400 relay, Ankeny’s Badillo ties for 1st in high jump at Central Indoor

Ankeny girls’ team returns several players, adds 2-time state qualifier Smith to lineup

by

The Ankeny girls' tennis team has been strengthened by the addition of a two-time state qualifier. She's also a familiar face to the program. Senior Kira Smith, the daughter of Ankeny coach Steve Smith, has rejoined the squad after spending last year at a tennis academy in Florida. "She’s home this semester so she can graduate from Ankeny High … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ team returns several players, adds 2-time state qualifier Smith to lineup

‘The margins are so thin’: UNI’s Anderson falls one win shy of all-American status

by

Former Ankeny wrestling star Trever Anderson nearly earned all-American honors in his NCAA Championship debut at 125 pounds. A redshirt sophomore at Northern Iowa, Anderson bounced back from a first-round loss on Thursday with three consecutive victories in the consolation bracket at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. He advanced to the blood round on … [Read more...] about ‘The margins are so thin’: UNI’s Anderson falls one win shy of all-American status

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Landon Pote, Ankeny boys’ track

by

Senior Landon Pote is one of 12 returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny boys' track team. He helped the Hawks to the Class 4A championship a year ago for the program's first state title since 1972. Pote placed third in the high jump with a leap of 6 feet 3 inches and finished seventh in the 110 hurdles in 15.08 seconds. He also teamed up with Sam … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Landon Pote, Ankeny boys’ track

Centennial girls focus on spring season, prepare for switch to fall tennis in August

by

Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson will be spending a lot of time with her players over the next several months. Tryouts for the spring season begin on Monday for the Jaguars, who will then transition to a fall season in August under schedule changes from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union for 2025-26. "So far, our numbers for … [Read more...] about Centennial girls focus on spring season, prepare for switch to fall tennis in August

‘These kids genuinely enjoy each other’: Jags look to have fun while chasing title

by

Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players Maddison Balashaitis, Addison Fair, Olivia Kroska and Ava Martin have all experienced the joy of holding up a state championship trophy. The four seniors all saw some action as freshmen on the Jaguars' Class 3A title team in 2022. "Experience and joy will be huge strengths for our team," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘These kids genuinely enjoy each other’: Jags look to have fun while chasing title

‘I think it was a long offseason’: Hawkettes deal with injuries, prepare for new rules

by

The Ankeny girls' soccer team will have to make some adjustments this spring. The Hawkettes posted a 14-5 record a year ago, losing two of those games in shootouts. This year, there will be no shootouts during the regular season. "There is no overtime, so games can end in a tie after 80 (minutes)," said Ankeny coach Simon Brown. "Also, kids who get a … [Read more...] about ‘I think it was a long offseason’: Hawkettes deal with injuries, prepare for new rules

Hawks return 10 starters, look to make deep run at Class 4A state tournament

by

With 10 starters returning from a team that qualified for last year's Class 4A state tournament, the Ankeny boys' soccer players won't be satisfied just with making it back to state this season. The Hawks want to play for a bigger trophy. "The goal is to build on what we accomplished last year," said Ankeny coach Trevor Fuccio, who guided the Hawks to … [Read more...] about Hawks return 10 starters, look to make deep run at Class 4A state tournament

Ankeny boys return state qualifier in Victor along with 4 other varsity regulars

by

The Ankeny boys' tennis team made some positive strides a year ago. Coach Ron Miller is hoping that the Hawks can make even more this season. "We don't put a specific performance target on ourselves," Miller said. "I just ask the boys to practice hard and give everything they can each time out, and we will be much better at the end of each season than … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys return state qualifier in Victor along with 4 other varsity regulars

Centennial boys looking to bounce back from first losing season in school history

by

Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax is hoping that history doesn't repeat itself. The Jaguars struggled to a 5-12 record last year. It was the first losing season in school history. Centennial had compiled a 128-35 mark in its previous nine campaigns. "We all hope last year was a flash in the pan," said Duax. "We proved we could beat … [Read more...] about Centennial boys looking to bounce back from first losing season in school history

Badillo wins high jump, Cibula places in 2 events at Riverhawk Indoor Invitational

by

A limited number of Ankeny girls' track athletes competed in the Riverhawk Indoor Invitational on Tuesday at Mason City. Ankeny recorded several top-10 finishes. Leading the way was Mila Badillo, who cleared the bar at 5 feet 1 inch to win the high jump. Ava Leinen placed fourth in the long jump with a leap of 16-10. Teammate Quinn Roush was sixth in … [Read more...] about Badillo wins high jump, Cibula places in 2 events at Riverhawk Indoor Invitational

Postseason run ends for Johnson, MSU Moorhead with loss to No. 5 Ichabods

by

The amazing postseason run for Carson Johnson and the MSU Moorhead men's basketball team came to an end on Tuesday night at Lee Arena. Johnson scored a team-high 17 points, but it wasn't nearly enough as the second-seeded Dragons dropped a 93-65 decision to top-seeded Washburn in the Central Regional championship of the NCAA Division II Tournament at … [Read more...] about Postseason run ends for Johnson, MSU Moorhead with loss to No. 5 Ichabods