Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

‘We knew it wasn’t going to be easy’: Jags outlast Waukee NW in 5-set thriller

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Tuesday's CIML Conference volleyball match between second-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 3 Waukee Northwest contained all the drama of a state tournament matchup. Both teams fought off two match points before the visiting Jaguars scored the last four points to pull out a thrilling 25-23, 25-21, 26-28, 13-25, 16-14 victory. "It was a great win," said … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it wasn’t going to be easy’: Jags outlast Waukee NW in 5-set thriller

Former Varnum assistant Fuccio named coach of Ankeny boys’ soccer team

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Trevor Fuccio has been named the new head coach of the Ankeny boys' soccer team. Fuccio previously served as an assistant coach under Marcus Varnum, who left to become a full-time assistant for the men's soccer program at Simpson College. "I'm super excited," said Fuccio. "I'm glad to be able to continue working with the boys. I'm hoping to have a good … [Read more...] about Former Varnum assistant Fuccio named coach of Ankeny boys’ soccer team

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jacob Adams, Ankeny boys’ golf

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Senior Jacob Adams helped the Ankeny boys' golf team to a 10th-place finish in the Class 4A state meet on Friday and Saturday at Otter Creek. The Hawks posted a 36-hole total of 634. Adams shot an 89 in the cold and windy conditions on Friday. He carded a 79 in the final round for a two-day total of 168. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jacob Adams, Ankeny boys’ golf

Jaguars fall to No. 1 Dowling Catholic in semifinals at Westside Invitational

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Jaeden Pratt and her Ankeny Centennial volleyball teammates would like nothing more than another opportunity to play CIML Conference rival Dowling Catholic. If it happens, it would be in the Class 5A state tournament--perhaps in the championship match. The second-ranked Jaguars advanced to the semifinals of the Westside Invitational on Saturday at … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall to No. 1 Dowling Catholic in semifinals at Westside Invitational

Ankeny golfers edge Jaguars by 4 shots for 10th place at Class 4A state meet

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' golf teams lowered their scores significantly on Saturday during the final round of the Class 4A state meet at Otter Creek. Unfortunately, so did every other team in the field. Eighth-ranked Ankeny began the day in 10th place, and that's where the Hawks finished. After shooting a 327 in Friday's opening … [Read more...] about Ankeny golfers edge Jaguars by 4 shots for 10th place at Class 4A state meet

Hawks dominate 4th quarter, pull away for 40-21 victory over Iowa City Liberty

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There weren't a lot of expectations surrounding the Ankeny football team this season. It might be time, however, to raise the bar. The Hawks used a dominant fourth quarter to pull away for a 40-21 victory over visiting Iowa City Liberty on Friday. They raised their record to 5-2 and have all but clinched a Class 5A playoff berth. "It feels great," … [Read more...] about Hawks dominate 4th quarter, pull away for 40-21 victory over Iowa City Liberty

Jaguars rough up Roosevelt, move closer to playoff berth with 43-7 triumph

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All of the goals for the Ankeny Centennial football team are still in play. Elijah Porter ran for three touchdowns and the Jaguars raised their record to 4-3 with a 43-7 victory over Des Moines Roosevelt on Friday at Drake Stadium. The Roughriders dropped to 3-4. "We started off awful slow, and then we got some steam there in the second quarter and … [Read more...] about Jaguars rough up Roosevelt, move closer to playoff berth with 43-7 triumph

Hensen is in contention for individual title heading into final round at state meet

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Ankeny senior Drew Hensen put himself into contention for an individual title by shooting a 4-over-par 75 in the opening round of the boys' Class 4A state golf meet on Friday at Otter Creek. Hensen is currently tied for fourth place heading into Saturday's final round. He is three strokes out of the lead. Many of the golfers struggled in the cold and … [Read more...] about Hensen is in contention for individual title heading into final round at state meet

Ankeny swimmers win 10 of 12 events, cruise past Indianola for 112-38 victory

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The fifth-ranked Ankeny girls' swimming team closed out its home schedule with a 112-38 victory over Indianola in a non-conference dual meet on Thursday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. Ankeny raised its overall record to 5-4 by winning 10 of the 12 events. "It was a great last home meet for us," said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "A lot of girls were … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers win 10 of 12 events, cruise past Indianola for 112-38 victory

Centennial girls edge Ankeny by 6 points for 4th place at Fort Dodge Invite

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Another close battle unfolded on Thursday between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country teams. Competing in the Fort Dodge Invitational at Lakeside Golf Course, the sixth-ranked Jaguars placed fourth among 25 teams with 126 points. No. 7 Ankeny finished fifth with 132 points. It marked the first meeting between the crosstown rivals … [Read more...] about Centennial girls edge Ankeny by 6 points for 4th place at Fort Dodge Invite

Zuber edges Kifle to win Fort Dodge Invite, leads Hawks to runner-up finish

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In what could be a preview of the Class 4A state meet on the same course in a few weeks, the state's top two boys' cross country runners waged an intense battle on Thursday in the Fort Dodge Invitational at Lakeside Golf Course. In the end, Ankeny's Ethan Zuber edged Natnael Kifle of Sioux City North by the slimmest of margins. The top-ranked Zuber won … [Read more...] about Zuber edges Kifle to win Fort Dodge Invite, leads Hawks to runner-up finish

Jaguars roll past S.E. Polk, improve their record to 6-1 in CIML Conference

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The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team pounded 38 kills and hit .216 on the night en route to a 25-20, 25-9, 25-21 victory at Southeast Polk on Thursday. The second-ranked Jaguars raised their records to 6-1 in the CIML Conference and 23-5 overall. Southeast Polk dropped to 1-6 and 12-17. Jaeden Pratt had 15 kills and hit .414 to lead Centennial. … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past S.E. Polk, improve their record to 6-1 in CIML Conference

‘I’m not one to look back’: Ankeny sweeps to victory over Baethke’s former team

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Ankeny volleyball coach Liz Baethke was happy that her team took care of business quickly. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 25-14, 25-16, 25-14 victory over visiting Urbandale on Thursday. It marked the first time that Baethke has faced her former team. She coached the J-Hawks for 23 years before leaving over the summer to take the reins of the … [Read more...] about ‘I’m not one to look back’: Ankeny sweeps to victory over Baethke’s former team

Regional volleyball pairings announced by Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union

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The Class 5A regional volleyball pairings have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial (22-5) has received a first-round bye in Region 2. The Jaguars will host Iowa City West (6-18) or Waterloo East (6-19) in a regional semifinal on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. No. 15 Council Bluffs Lincoln (17-18) will host … [Read more...] about Regional volleyball pairings announced by Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union

‘We just kept fighting’: Jaguars rally from 2-0 deficit to defeat Ankeny in 5 sets

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There have been only three five-set matches in the storied history of the Ankeny vs. Ankeny Centennial volleyball rivalry. Tuesday's showdown at Centennial may have been the best of those three matches. After dropping the first two sets, the second-ranked Jaguars rallied for an 18-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 15-11 victory over No. 5 Ankeny to take an 8-7 … [Read more...] about ‘We just kept fighting’: Jaguars rally from 2-0 deficit to defeat Ankeny in 5 sets

‘There’s something magical about Senior Night’: Ankeny swimmers edge Dragons

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The biggest win of the season for the Ankeny girls' swimming team came on its Senior Night. Seventh-ranked Ankeny won eight of the 12 events, including all three relays, and posted a 95-91 victory over No. 4 Johnston in a CIML Conference dual meet on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. It was the first conference win for the Hawkettes, who improved … [Read more...] about ‘There’s something magical about Senior Night’: Ankeny swimmers edge Dragons

‘I like how determined they are to win’: Alberhasky to join Grider at Wartburg

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Ankeny Centennial baseball standout Emerson Alberhasky is looking forward to being reunited with Cole Grider, who is now a freshman on the Wartburg College squad. Alberhasky has verbally committed to join the Knights' program next year. "I can't wait to team up with Cole again, and I think a few guys from Valley might join me as well here soon," said … [Read more...] about ‘I like how determined they are to win’: Alberhasky to join Grider at Wartburg

Ankeny Fanatic’s prediction for the Jag-Hawk volleyball showdown

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Tuesday's CIML Conference volleyball showdown between Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will break a 7-7 tie in the all-time series. Neither team has ever won more than three straight matches against its crosstown rival. The Hawkettes won both meetings last year, but the Jaguars defeated Ankeny earlier this season at the Centennial Invitational and will also … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic’s prediction for the Jag-Hawk volleyball showdown

‘We showed we belong at state’: Jaguars take 2nd in district meet on home course

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All season long, the goal for the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team was to play its best when it mattered the most. That's exactly what the Jaguars did on Monday. Fourteenth-ranked Centennial shot a 307 on its home course and placed second in a Class 4A district meet at Briarwood Golf Club. The Jaguars advanced to the state meet for the first time … [Read more...] about ‘We showed we belong at state’: Jaguars take 2nd in district meet on home course