When Ankeny Centennial's Sydney Morris made the second out with no runners on during the fifth inning of Wednesday's game against CIML Conference rival Southeast Polk, the senior catcher didn't expect to bat again just a few minutes later. But that's exactly what happened. Nine batters and seven hits later, Morris stepped to the plate and delivered a … [Read more...] about JAGUAR UPRISING: 8-run outburst in 5th inning sends Centennial to 5A title game
‘We had a great season’: Ankeny girls tie for 7th in 5A, finish year with 31-8 record
Cassie Johnson and her Ankeny softball teammates walked away from the Class 5A state tournament with their heads held high. "Of course we came into state wanting to win, but I couldn't be more proud of this team," said Johnson. "They are my best friends, and I wouldn't have wanted to go through the ups and downs with anyone else!" The second-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great season’: Ankeny girls tie for 7th in 5A, finish year with 31-8 record
Rematch Wednesday: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals
The Class 5A semifinals at the state softball tournament on Wednesday will feature a pair of rematches between conference rivals. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm and photographer Drue Wolfe will be making an aerial trip to Fort Dodge with local pilot Chris Janssen, and luckily we'll be able to walk across the street to Harlan Rogers Park from the Fort … [Read more...] about Rematch Wednesday: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals
PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf
The nerves eventually went away for Lauren Gustofson and the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Perhaps the pink hair might have helped. Gustofson, a senior pitcher, got out of some early jams and the top-ranked Jaguars went on to beat No. 8 Bettendorf, 7-1, in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "I was pretty … [Read more...] about PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf
Hawkettes fall to Muscatine, will play defending champs in consolation game
There won't be an all-Ankeny clash, or even an all-CIML Conference battle, in the Class 5A state championship softball game. Second-ranked Ankeny and No. 3 Waukee Northwest, the defending champion, were both upset by teams from the Mississippi Athletic Conference in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Hawkettes fall to Muscatine, will play defending champs in consolation game
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Severson, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Senior catcher Nick Severson helped lead the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 30-8 record. The Jaguars set a school record for most victories in a season. Severson batted .463 with two home runs, 12 doubles and 27 RBIs. He struck out only eight times in 123 plate appearances. Here is some inside info on Severson: Congratulations on an … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Severson, Ankeny Centennial baseball
State softball preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
The state softball tournament gets under way on Monday at Fort Dodge, and the Class 5A field boasts five teams from the CIML Conference--including top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 2 Ankeny. Three squads from eastern Iowa will try to pull off an upset in Monday's quarterfinals. The other quarterfinal will be an all-CIML matchup between No. 4 Southeast … [Read more...] about State softball preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
Grand View’s Miller transfers to UNI after placing 9th in javelin at NAIA nationals
Former Ankeny thrower Justice Miller has decided to join the Northern Iowa men's track and field program. Justice will transfer from Grand View University, where he spent the first two seasons of his college career. "(Grand View) was some of the best times (of my life), and I really do love the team," Miller said. "But it was a mixture of wanting to be … [Read more...] about Grand View’s Miller transfers to UNI after placing 9th in javelin at NAIA nationals
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Dave Bingham, Ankeny softball
The Hawkettes posted a 4-3 victory over Waukee in a Class 5A regional final to advance to the state tournament for the first time since 2015. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Dave Bingham, Ankeny softball
‘We had some chances early’: Jaguars strand 8 runners in stunning loss to Ames
Ankeny Centennial's magical season on the baseball diamond came to an end one week earlier than most people expected. The top-ranked Jaguars went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners on base in a stunning 5-1 loss to visiting Ames in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. "We had some chances early that we didn't capitalize … [Read more...] about ‘We had some chances early’: Jaguars strand 8 runners in stunning loss to Ames
‘It was a special night for Dowling’: Marso, Maroons top Ankeny in substate final
Due to heavy rains overnight, the Dowling Catholic baseball team lost its home-field advantage against Ankeny in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The game was moved to a neutral site at Simpson College in Indianola, but the Maroons felt right at home on the infield turf. Seventh-ranked Dowling got a masterful pitching performance from Kaden … [Read more...] about ‘It was a special night for Dowling’: Marso, Maroons top Ankeny in substate final
Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed
The Ankeny Centennial softball team is headed back to Fort Dodge for the third time in four years. The top-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A state tournament with a 10-1 victory over visiting Ames in a regional final on Tuesday. The win allowed Centennial (33-5) to tie the school record for most victories in a season. "I'm very excited for this … [Read more...] about Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed
‘It’s our time right now’: Ankeny holds off Waukee, earns first trip to state since ’15
The drought is finally over for the Ankeny softball team. The second-ranked Hawkettes held on for a 4-3 victory over No. 14 Waukee in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday, allowing them to qualify for state for the first time since 2015. "It feels great," said Ankeny shortstop Kendra Lewis. "I love this team so much. It's a great opportunity for us and … [Read more...] about ‘It’s our time right now’: Ankeny holds off Waukee, earns first trip to state since ’15
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Griess, Sandvig lead Hawks to substate rout over Ottumwa
It didn't take long for Alex Griess and Ben Sandvig to set the tone Monday for the Ankeny baseball team. Griess quickly retired the first three batters of the game, Sandvig then hit the first of his three doubles to ignite a seven-run outburst in the bottom of the first, and the Hawks went on to beat visiting Ottumwa, 13-0, in five innings in a Class 4A … [Read more...] about DOUBLE TROUBLE: Griess, Sandvig lead Hawks to substate rout over Ottumwa
‘We stood toe-to-toe with them’: Eagles fall in district final at No. 4 Lynnville-Sully
For the second straight year, Ankeny Christian Academy's baseball season ended with a loss in a Class 1A district final. The Eagles dropped a 4-2 decision on Saturday at fourth-ranked Lynnville-Sully, which defeated ACA for the second time this season. The Hawks won the first matchup, 7-2, on May 27. "I was really proud of the way the boys battled," … [Read more...] about ‘We stood toe-to-toe with them’: Eagles fall in district final at No. 4 Lynnville-Sully
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brock Adamson, Ankeny baseball
Senior Brock Adamson tossed a four-hitter and had five strikeouts to lead the Ankeny baseball team to a 3-1 victory over visiting Norwalk in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. He allowed just one unearned run, lowering his ERA to 2.37, as the Hawks improved to 20-19 on the season. Adamson, an Ellsworth Community College recruit, has compiled an … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brock Adamson, Ankeny baseball
Johnson hits slam in 10-0 win over Cedar Falls; Hawkettes close in on state berth
Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham doesn't want his summer vacation to begin anytime soon. "I'm enjoying coaching these kids, and I hope I get four more (games)," Bingham said. The second-ranked Hawkettes opened postseason play on Saturday with a 10-0 victory over visiting Cedar Falls in five innings in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Tigers … [Read more...] about Johnson hits slam in 10-0 win over Cedar Falls; Hawkettes close in on state berth
‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win
Ankeny Centennial's Addi Starr didn't see the ball go over the fence. But she heard the reaction from her teammates. Starr hit the first home run of her high school softball career to punctuate the top-ranked Jaguars' 7-2 victory over visiting Des Moines East in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. "I was just running hard up until second … [Read more...] about ‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win
Jaguars erupt for 22 runs, toss combined no-hitter in substate win over North
The first game of the postseason can sometimes be the most stressful one. That won't be the case for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The top-ranked Jaguars pounded out 15 hits and rolled to a 22-0 victory over visiting Des Moines North in four innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "The guys are certainly very focused this time … [Read more...] about Jaguars erupt for 22 runs, toss combined no-hitter in substate win over North
Hawks oust Norwalk behind Adamson’s four-hitter, will host Ottumwa Monday
On three occasions during the regular season, the Ankeny baseball team got a win from senior lefthander Brock Adamson to bounce back from a loss. Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz handed the ball to Adamson on Friday after the Hawks closed out the regular season with back-to-back losses earlier this week. Adamson responded with another gem, tossing a … [Read more...] about Hawks oust Norwalk behind Adamson’s four-hitter, will host Ottumwa Monday