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Jaguars

‘The energy is high’: Centennial golfers gearing up for first season under Kiepe

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Andy Fehn and John Petersen enjoyed a lot of success as the head coaches of the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf program. That is one tradition that Marty Kiepe is hoping to continue. "New traditions can be hard, but our team has kept an open mind," said Kiepe. "We have set clear expectations and made some of the larger decisions as a group. Building a … [Read more...] about ‘The energy is high’: Centennial golfers gearing up for first season under Kiepe

‘There’s a lot to be encouraged by’: Jags show promise in 7-4 loss at Norwalk

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team is already showing signs of improvement. After dropping a 9-2 decision to Norwalk a year ago, the Jaguars traveled to Norwalk on Tuesday for a rematch to open the 2026 season. The Warriors again prevailed, but their 7-4 victory in the non-conference meet was much closer than last year's matchup. "Norwalk is a … [Read more...] about ‘There’s a lot to be encouraged by’: Jags show promise in 7-4 loss at Norwalk

Jaguars win 8 events, place 2nd overall at S.E. Polk Invitational behind host Rams

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team closed out Tuesday's Southeast Polk Invitational with its eighth victory of the night. The Jaguars won the 4x400 relay with a time of 3:59.41, allowing them to meet the Drake Relays Blue Oval standard. The team consisted of Aly Balashaitis, Rebecca Flick, Teagan Jackson and Ava Barten. "This group came into the … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 8 events, place 2nd overall at S.E. Polk Invitational behind host Rams

Jaguars are No. 3, Hawkettes No. 5 in preseason Class 3A girls’ soccer rankings

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The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union has announced its preseason soccer rankings, and it's no surprise that the CIML Conference once again dominates the top of the Class 3A list. Defending state champion Waukee Northwest begins the season where it left off last year--in the No. 1 spot. The Wolves are one of six CIML schools ranked among the top … [Read more...] about Jaguars are No. 3, Hawkettes No. 5 in preseason Class 3A girls’ soccer rankings

‘Our primary goal is growth’: Jaguars looking to elevate program to higher level

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team suffered through some growing pains last year in its first season under coach Grant Menadue. The inexperienced Jaguars struggled to a 1-11 record, including a 0-8 mark in the CIML Conference. They posted a 5-0 win over Des Moines North in a Class 2A substate quarterfinal for their only victory before ending the … [Read more...] about ‘Our primary goal is growth’: Jaguars looking to elevate program to higher level

Jaguars win 4×400 relay to edge Cedar Falls for team crown at Sherwood Relays

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A victory in the final event allowed the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team to win the Sherwood Relays crown on Saturday at Iowa City High. The Jaguars took first in the 4x400 relay to edge defending champion Cedar Falls for the team title. The foursome of Aly Balashaitis, Bella Buesch, Aubrey Mohr and Teagan Jackson posted a time of 4:08.07. Cedar … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4×400 relay to edge Cedar Falls for team crown at Sherwood Relays

‘The last hurrah is bittersweet’: Duax will coach all-state son for one last season

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax isn't looking forward to the end of the 2026 season. He just hopes it lasts as long as it can. Duax will be coaching his son, Tate, for one final season. Tate, a senior forward, is headed to Boston in the fall to play for Northeastern University. "The last hurrah is bittersweet," said coach Duax. "The … [Read more...] about ‘The last hurrah is bittersweet’: Duax will coach all-state son for one last season

‘We saw some really nice races’: Hawks, Jaguars compete at Early Bird Relays

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams turned in some strong performances in the Early Bird Relays on Thursday at Waukee Northwest. Six squads competed in the meet, which was unscored. "We saw some really nice races," said Ankeny coach Jordan Mullen. "We had a lot of early season PRs, which is really exciting. I believe as a team … [Read more...] about ‘We saw some really nice races’: Hawks, Jaguars compete at Early Bird Relays

‘Our whole team showed toughness’: Jags overcome cold weather to win 2 events

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Earlier in the week, the forecast called for temperatures in the 70s on Thursday afternoon. But those weren't the conditions that greeted the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team when the Jaguars arrived at Johnston for the Dragon Invitational. "The weather wasn’t ideal with high winds and dropping temperatures," said Centennial coach Tyler Asbe. "Our … [Read more...] about ‘Our whole team showed toughness’: Jags overcome cold weather to win 2 events

‘We will need to be resilient’: Jaguars gear up for another tough road of CIML foes

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It won't be easy for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to replace the leadership from players like Maddison Balashaitis, Olivia Kroska and Ava Martin on last year's squad. Those three standouts all graduated after leading the Jaguars to a 15-4-2 record and a trip to the Class 3A semifinals in 2025. They are now playing at the collegiate … [Read more...] about ‘We will need to be resilient’: Jaguars gear up for another tough road of CIML foes

Centennial girls boast 12 returning state qualifiers, seek top-10 finish in Class 4A

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team qualified for last year's Class 4A state meet in just about every event and scored points in many of them. The Jaguars, though, placed no higher than sixth in any event while tying for 15th place overall with 18 points. "We were able to medal in nine events, and a goal of ours is to be able to repeat that success … [Read more...] about Centennial girls boast 12 returning state qualifiers, seek top-10 finish in Class 4A

Centennial boys’ track team looks to build on success of last year’s 4th-place squad

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Coming off one of the best seasons in school history, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team will be looking to have another banner year in 2026. But it won't be easy. Many of the standouts from last year's squad graduated, leaving some big holes in the team's lineup. "We want to find events for individuals to make the biggest impact," said … [Read more...] about Centennial boys’ track team looks to build on success of last year’s 4th-place squad

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Noah Ross, Ankeny Centennial boys’ track

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Sprinter Noah Ross of the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team is one of several returning state qualifiers from a squad that placed fourth in last year's Class 4A state meet with 61 points. Ross is the lone returnee from the Jaguars' state champion 4x100 and 4x200 relays. He also ran on the third-place sprint medley relay. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Noah Ross, Ankeny Centennial boys’ track

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Luke Mitchell, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Junior forward Luke Mitchell helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 9-14 record this season. He was named to the CIML Conference third team and was also selected to the all-substate team. Mitchell averaged 10.7 points and a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game. He was the Jaguars' best shooter from the field (105-of-192) and from 3-point range … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Luke Mitchell, Centennial boys’ basketball

Aguirre among unanimous selections to all-CIML first team for 2nd straight year

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Ankeny boys' basketball star Rio Aguirre has been unanimously selected to the CIML Conference first team for the second consecutive year. Aguirre, a senior guard, led the Hawks to a 12-11 record. He averaged a team-high 19.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Aguirre led Ankeny with 58 3-point goals, shooting 43.0 percent from behind the arc. He also … [Read more...] about Aguirre among unanimous selections to all-CIML first team for 2nd straight year

‘I can’t wait to play with her again!’: Jags’ Litchfield to join Balashaitis at CSP in ’27

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Junior goalkeeper Rylee Litchfield of Ankeny Centennial has verbally committed to play for the Concordia St. Paul women's soccer team in 2027. Litchfield will be reunited with former Centennial teammate Maddison Balashaitis, who is a freshman defender on the squad. Balashaitis helped the Golden Bears to a 12-3-5 record last fall. "Maddison has always … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to play with her again!’: Jags’ Litchfield to join Balashaitis at CSP in ’27

Williams, Beam earn multiple all-state honors; Kiene, ACA’s Davis also honored

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Ankeny standout Jayla Williams has earned all-state girls' basketball honors for the third consecutive year, while teammate Ainsley Kiene and Lizzie Beam of Ankeny Centennial were both honored for the first time. Williams, a senior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association and the Iowa Print Sports Writers … [Read more...] about Williams, Beam earn multiple all-state honors; Kiene, ACA’s Davis also honored

Fontana to be inducted into IHSAA Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday night

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In late February, Bob Fontana got a text message from one of his longtime coaching friends, Andy Howard, that stopped him in his tracks. "Andy was telling me, 'Congratulations. I'm proud of you,'" Fontana recalled. "I go, 'What are you talking about?', and he says, 'You're going into the Hall of Fame.' And I told him, 'Funny joke. Nobody has contacted … [Read more...] about Fontana to be inducted into IHSAA Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday night

Ankeny’s Williams, Centennial’s Beam named to CIML Conference first team

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Ankeny girls' basketball star Jayla Williams has been named to the CIML Conference first team along with Ankeny Centennial standout Lizzie Beam. Williams was a first-team pick for the third consecutive year after earning third-team honors as a freshman. She was also a unanimous selection. Williams, a senior guard, led the Hawkettes to a semifinal … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Williams, Centennial’s Beam named to CIML Conference first team