Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

‘We fly under the radar, but we’re a good team’: Jags split with No. 2 Pleasant Valley

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The second-ranked Pleasant Valley baseball team entered Wednesday's doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial as one of the state's hottest squads, riding a 10-game winning streak. But the Jaguars had won four consecutive games and six of their last seven, so they were confident as well. "There's no reason not to be confident with all the work we've put in," … [Read more...] about ‘We fly under the radar, but we’re a good team’: Jags split with No. 2 Pleasant Valley

‘It feels good!’: Kennedy sets Centennial home run record during Jaguars’ sweep

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Jordyn Kennedy has officially entered into the Ankeny Centennial softball record book. During Monday night’s home doubleheader against Dowling Catholic, the junior slugger crushed her 36th career home run to surpass former Ankeny and Centennial great Kendyl Lindaman as the Jaguars’ new all-time home run record holder. “It … [Read more...] about ‘It feels good!’: Kennedy sets Centennial home run record during Jaguars’ sweep

‘This is just a real gritty team’: Jags sweep Dowling behind pair of complete games

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Ankeny Centennial baseball coach Mark Hey hasn't had to make too many pitching changes in the first 15 games of the season. With one of the deepest pitching staffs in the state, the Jaguars have already thrown several complete games. They had two more on Monday from Elijah Starr and Colton Arndt in a doubleheader sweep over visiting Dowling … [Read more...] about ‘This is just a real gritty team’: Jags sweep Dowling behind pair of complete games

Balashaitis, Martin, Macke, Paoli selected to Class 3A all-state first team by IGCA

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Girls' soccer standouts Maddison Balashaitis and Ava Martin of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the Class 3A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association for the second straight year. Ankeny star Alli Macke was also a repeat selection. She was joined on the squad by teammate Ava Paoli. Balashaitis, a senior defender, helped the … [Read more...] about Balashaitis, Martin, Macke, Paoli selected to Class 3A all-state first team by IGCA

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Emmarie Becker, Centennial girls’ soccer

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Junior midfielder Emmarie Becker helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to a 15-4-2 record this season. The Jaguars advanced to the Class 3A semifinals of last week's state tournament before dropping a 2-1 decision to Linn-Mar (Marion) at the Lied Recreation Fields in Ames. Becker scored five goals and had four assists on the season. She scored … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Emmarie Becker, Centennial girls’ soccer

Centennial standouts Balashaitis, Martin named to Class 3A all-tournament team

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Seniors Maddison Balashaitis and Ava Martin of the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team were both named to the Class 3A all-tournament team on Saturday at the Cyclone Sports Complex in Ames. Balashaitis, a defender, was selected to the squad for the second straight year. She scored a goal and also converted a penalty kick in the shootout in the Jaguars' … [Read more...] about Centennial standouts Balashaitis, Martin named to Class 3A all-tournament team

Centennial boys return to Roosevelt, sweep pair of games against Roughriders

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When the Ankeny Centennial baseball team opened the season on May 19 at Des Moines Roosevelt, the Jaguars got off to a good start before the non-conference doubleheader was postponed due to rain. Centennial finished the job on Friday. Play resumed in the top of the fourth inning with the Jaguars holding a 2-0 lead. They went on to post an 8-1 victory … [Read more...] about Centennial boys return to Roosevelt, sweep pair of games against Roughriders

‘To be mentioned alongside her is a great honor!’: Kennedy ties Lindaman’s HR mark

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Jordyn Kennedy helped the Ankeny Centennial softball team to a pair of victories in the Jaguar Invitational on Friday. The junior slugger also made some history. Kennedy went 3-for-3 with a double, two home runs and four RBIs as the third-ranked Jaguars opened the tournament with a 6-3 win over Creston, the No. 15 team in Class 4A. She now has seven … [Read more...] about ‘To be mentioned alongside her is a great honor!’: Kennedy ties Lindaman’s HR mark

‘I’m heartbroken for our team’: Jaguars fall to Linn-Mar on Roberts’ spectacular shot

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team had state championship aspirations in 2025, but the Jaguars' hopes fell just short. It was a deep shot in the 76th minute by Abi Roberts of Linn-Mar (Marion) that ended Centennial’s season on Thursday as the third-ranked Jaguars dropped a 2-1 decision in the Class 3A semifinals at … [Read more...] about ‘I’m heartbroken for our team’: Jaguars fall to Linn-Mar on Roberts’ spectacular shot

Jaguars rely on pitching, defense, timely hits to split with No. 7 Waukee NW

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Over the last five games, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team has struggled to score some runs. Fortunately for the Jaguars, a combination of strong pitching performances, solid defense and a few timely hits has allowed them to go 2-3 during that stretch. On Thursday, ninth-ranked Centennial posted a 3-0 victory at No. 7 Waukee Northwest in the first … [Read more...] about Jaguars rely on pitching, defense, timely hits to split with No. 7 Waukee NW

No. 2 Waukee NW blanks Centennial, then No. 3 Jaguars return favor in nightcap

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team rebounded in a big way from its first shutout loss of the season. After dropping a 4-0 decision at second-ranked Waukee Northwest in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday, the No. 3 Jaguars bounced back with a 9-0 victory in six innings in the nightcap to earn a split. "It was a good night against one of the … [Read more...] about No. 2 Waukee NW blanks Centennial, then No. 3 Jaguars return favor in nightcap

‘We found a way to get it done’: Jaguars earn split vs. S.E. Polk with 10-run inning

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Apparently, no lead is safe against the Ankeny Centennial softball team. The second-ranked Jaguars showed on Wednesday that they are fully capable of overcoming a huge deficit. Trailing 10-3 in the second game of a doubleheader against visiting Southeast Polk, Centennial erupted for 10 runs in the fifth inning and then held on for a 13-12 win, allowing … [Read more...] about ‘We found a way to get it done’: Jaguars earn split vs. S.E. Polk with 10-run inning

‘I felt really comfortable on the mound’: Morris tosses gem as Jags salvage split

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After dropping a second consecutive one-run game, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team needed an ace to take the mound for the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Southeast Polk. The ninth-ranked Jaguars had just the right guy in Will Morris. The junior righthander tossed a two-hitter and had 12 strikeouts to lead Centennial to a 2-1 … [Read more...] about ‘I felt really comfortable on the mound’: Morris tosses gem as Jags salvage split

Becker scores tying goal, then makes huge save as Jaguars top Johnston in PKs

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Emmarie Becker found a new way to help the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team on a rainy Tuesday night. After scoring the tying goal in the 72nd minute, the junior midfielder eventually moved to the goalkeeper position during a shootout and came up with a crucial save as the third-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 6 Johnston, 3-2, in a Class 3A quarterfinal … [Read more...] about Becker scores tying goal, then makes huge save as Jaguars top Johnston in PKs

‘That’s what you live for’: Vos’ walk-off hit gives Ankeny boys 2-1 win over Jaguars

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A clutch hit from senior Kinnick Vos finally ended a pitchers' duel at the Ankeny baseball field. Vos hit a walk-off single with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Hawks a 2-1 victory over crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial on Monday. "That was awesome," said Voss. "That's what you live for. That was a blast." Pinch-hitter Lennon … [Read more...] about ‘That’s what you live for’: Vos’ walk-off hit gives Ankeny boys 2-1 win over Jaguars

Centennial girls pound 5 home runs, romp to 12-0 rivalry victory over Hawkettes

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After teammates Jordyn Kennedy and Mady Ott connected for back-to-back roundtrippers during the third inning of Monday's softball game at Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial junior Kori Lincicum felt some pressure to keep the home run party going. "I was like, 'Uh oh,'" Lincicum said. "They put a big window out there for me. But I just tried to make contact. I … [Read more...] about Centennial girls pound 5 home runs, romp to 12-0 rivalry victory over Hawkettes

‘We’re incredibly proud of her’: Peterson earns 8th-place finish at state tourney

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Ankeny Centennial junior Samara Peterson has been dealing with a back injury for most of the season. On Saturday, the pain finally became too much. Peterson was forced to withdraw from her final match in the Class 2A singles division of the girls' state tennis tournament at Iowa City. She finished in eighth place. "We’re incredibly proud of her for … [Read more...] about ‘We’re incredibly proud of her’: Peterson earns 8th-place finish at state tourney

Jaguars toss back-to-back no-hitters in doubleheader sweep over Lincoln girls

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Kori Lincicum started two of the first three games in the pitcher's circle for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Friday's non-conference doubleheader against visiting Des Moines Lincoln showed that the second-ranked Jaguars have plenty of pitching depth behind Lincicum. Three other hurlers combined on a pair of no-hitters as Centennial swept the … [Read more...] about Jaguars toss back-to-back no-hitters in doubleheader sweep over Lincoln girls

ONE OF A KIND: Smith becomes city of Ankeny’s first-ever state tennis champion

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The drought is over. Ankeny finally has a state tennis champion. Top-seeded Kira Smith posted a 6-1, 6-2 victory over No. 2 Sescie Haan of Clinton to capture the Class 2A singles title on Saturday afternoon at Iowa City. She rolled through the two-day tournament without losing a set. Ankeny Centennial's Samara Peterson, meanwhile, finished in eighth … [Read more...] about ONE OF A KIND: Smith becomes city of Ankeny’s first-ever state tennis champion