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Centennial’s Alvarez, Ankeny’s Brown race to victories at Jaguar Early Bird Invite

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Jax Alvarez of Ankeny Centennial and Gus Brown of Ankeny didn't put much pressure on themselves heading into Tuesday's season-opening cross country meet. The duo responded with a pair of boys' victories in the Jaguar Early Bird Invitational at DMACC. Alvarez, a senior, pulled away from the field to win the 11/12 race in a time of 15 minutes 53 seconds. … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Alvarez, Ankeny’s Brown race to victories at Jaguar Early Bird Invite

‘My team did really well’: Centennial girls edge No. 1 Wolves to win Jaguar Invite

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A showdown between the top two girls' cross country teams in Class 4A lived up to the hype. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial opened its season on Tuesday by edging No. 1 Waukee Northwest to win the Jaguar Early Bird Invitational at DMACC. The Jaguars scored 41 points when the results of the two races were merged, while Northwest--the defending state … [Read more...] about ‘My team did really well’: Centennial girls edge No. 1 Wolves to win Jaguar Invite

‘It was a beautiful day for tennis’: Ankeny girls fall to Waukee NW on Senior Night

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The Ankeny girls' tennis team was simply overmatched on Tuesday. But the Hawkettes aren't the only team that has felt that way against Waukee Northwest. The visiting Wolves posted an 11-0 victory over Ankeny for their third consecutive shutout. They improved to 3-0 in the CIML Conference, while the Hawkettes fell to 1-2 in the league and 3-3 … [Read more...] about ‘It was a beautiful day for tennis’: Ankeny girls fall to Waukee NW on Senior Night

Ankeny football team reloads around 4 returning starters, influx of transfers

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On paper, the Ankeny football team appeared to be facing a rebuilding season after suffering heavy losses to graduation last spring. Ankeny coach Jeff Bauer is hoping that isn't the case. "We only have four starters back, so there's not a lot of people thinking we are going to be all that," said Bauer. "But there's a lot of young talent on this team … [Read more...] about Ankeny football team reloads around 4 returning starters, influx of transfers

Hawkettes beat Marshalltown, S.E. Polk; fall to Indianola at Ankeny Quadrangular

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The Ankeny girls' tennis team defeated two of its three opponents in the Ankeny Quadrangular on Friday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Hawkettes posted an 8-3 win over Marshalltown and a 7-4 victory over Southeast Polk, defeating the Rams for the second time in two days. On Thursday, coach Katie Owens' squad had posted a 6-5 triumph at Southeast Polk in … [Read more...] about Hawkettes beat Marshalltown, S.E. Polk; fall to Indianola at Ankeny Quadrangular

No. 3 Hawkettes return pair of all-staters, several other key players from 28-9 team

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Coming off a semifinal appearance in the Class 5A state tournament, the Ankeny volleyball team appears to be primed for another deep postseason run in 2026. The Hawkettes return a pair of all-staters and some other key players from a team that posted a 28-9 record a year ago. "The practices have been real productive," said Ankeny coach Liz Baethke, … [Read more...] about No. 3 Hawkettes return pair of all-staters, several other key players from 28-9 team

Ankeny girls win No. 2 doubles match to earn 6-5 win at S.E. Polk, even mark at 1-1

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Thursday's girls' tennis meet between Ankeny and Southeast Polk came down to the final match. The visiting Hawkettes eventually won the No. 2 doubles match to post a 6-5 victory over the Rams. They evened their record at 1-1 in the CIML Conference, while Southeast Polk dropped to 0-2 in the league. "We had some awesome matches, and the girls played … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls win No. 2 doubles match to earn 6-5 win at S.E. Polk, even mark at 1-1

‘Our goals remain the same’: Hawks have high aspirations despite young squad

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For the second year in a row, the Ankeny boys' cross country team will have to rebuild after losing its top runner to graduation. Isaiah Smith qualified for last year's Class 4A state meet as an individual and placed 27th in a time of 16:01.5. He was a four-time state qualifier who earned a spot on the awards podium as a sophomore in 2023, when he took … [Read more...] about ‘Our goals remain the same’: Hawks have high aspirations despite young squad

MIDDLE OF THE PACK: Jaguars place 6th, Hawks finish 7th at Jesse Peck Invitational

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The Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny boys' golf teams finished in the middle of the pack at the Jesse Peck Invitational on Wednesday. Playing on their home course at Briarwood Golf Club, the Jaguars placed sixth in the 12-team field with a 306 total. The top five teams all broke 300, including three squads that finished under par. "We had four triple … [Read more...] about MIDDLE OF THE PACK: Jaguars place 6th, Hawks finish 7th at Jesse Peck Invitational

Ankeny is No. 3, Centennial No. 10 in Class 5A rankings; ACA is No. 4 in Class 1A

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The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced its preseason volleyball rankings on Wednesday. Ankeny is No. 3 in Class 5A behind defending state champion Waukee Northwest and Iowa City West. Ankeny Centennial is No. 10. In Class 1A, Ankeny Christian Academy is No. 4. The Eagles are ranked behind defending state runner-up Janesville, Wapsie … [Read more...] about Ankeny is No. 3, Centennial No. 10 in Class 5A rankings; ACA is No. 4 in Class 1A

Ankeny girls’ tennis team opens season with 11-0 loss to conference rival Valley

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The Ankeny girls' tennis team dropped an 11-0 decision to visiting Valley in its season opener on Tuesday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Hawkettes were one of the last two squads in the CIML Conference to begin their season. Defending Class 2A state champion Waukee Northwest was slated to play at Dowling Catholic in its opener on Tuesday. Valley, … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ tennis team opens season with 11-0 loss to conference rival Valley

‘There’s a lot of excitement and energy’: Hawkettes get fresh start under Einertson

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The new head coach of the Ankeny girls' cross country team is already familiar with many of his runners. Josh Eintertson, an assistant coach for the Ankeny girls' track squad, has taken over the Hawkettes' program. He replaces TJ Jumper, who resigned in May after accepting a new job as the Director of Great Oaks High School in Des Moines. Jumper … [Read more...] about ‘There’s a lot of excitement and energy’: Hawkettes get fresh start under Einertson

‘This year is definitely a first for me’: Hawk golfers enter season with untested lineup

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A lot of new faces will be in the lineup when the Ankeny boys' golf team opens its season on Thursday. The Hawks will host a CIML Conference triangular meet against Urbandale and Waukee Northwest at Otter Creek. The action gets under way at 9 a.m. Ankeny posted a 2-6 record in the conference last year that included a two-stroke win over Urbandale and a … [Read more...] about ‘This year is definitely a first for me’: Hawk golfers enter season with untested lineup

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Easton Lowe, Ankeny baseball

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Senior outfielder Easton Lowe helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 14-27 record this season. He batted .370 with three home runs, five triples, five doubles and 16 RBIs. Lowe was named to the Class 4A all-state second team and to the Class 4A North Central all-district first team by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. He was also selected … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Easton Lowe, Ankeny baseball

‘Our team has a fresh look’: Hawkettes to rely heavily on talented underclassmen

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The Ankeny girls' tennis team will be tested right away in its second fall season under coach Katie Owens. The Hawkettes will open their campaign on Thursday by hosting Urbandale in a CIML Conference matchup. The J-Hawks are coming off a 9-5 year that included an 11-0 victory over Ankeny. "The practices have been going great, and the hard work the … [Read more...] about ‘Our team has a fresh look’: Hawkettes to rely heavily on talented underclassmen

Lowe, Nesler earn all-state honors from Iowa High School Baseball Coaches

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Standouts Easton Lowe of Ankeny and Will Nesler of Ankeny Centennial have earned all-state honors from the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Lowe, a senior outfielder, was selected to the Class 4A second team. He helped the Hawks to a 14-27 record. Lowe batted .370 with three home runs, five triples, five doubles and 16 RBIs. He will play … [Read more...] about Lowe, Nesler earn all-state honors from Iowa High School Baseball Coaches

Ankeny’s Lowe, Centennial’s Starr to play for Large Schools West in All Star Series

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Baseball standouts Easton Lowe of Ankeny and Eli Starr of Ankeny Centennial will both play for the Large Schools West in the 2026 All Star Series beginning on Thursday at Cedar Rapids. Centennial assistant coach Sean Lynam will also participate in the event. He will serve as an assistant coach for the Large Schools West. Games will be played on … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Lowe, Centennial’s Starr to play for Large Schools West in All Star Series

Six Centennial softball stars earn all-state honors along with ACA trio, Ankeny duo

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Six Ankeny Centennial softball players have earned all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association along with three from Ankeny Christian Academy and two from Ankeny. Centennial coach Brett Delaney was also honored. He was named the Class 5A coach of the year after guiding the Jaguars to a 41-4 record and a runner-up finish at the state … [Read more...] about Six Centennial softball stars earn all-state honors along with ACA trio, Ankeny duo