Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

‘These kids genuinely enjoy each other’: Jags look to have fun while chasing title

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Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players Maddison Balashaitis, Addison Fair, Olivia Kroska and Ava Martin have all experienced the joy of holding up a state championship trophy. The four seniors all saw some action as freshmen on the Jaguars' Class 3A title team in 2022. "Experience and joy will be huge strengths for our team," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘These kids genuinely enjoy each other’: Jags look to have fun while chasing title

Centennial boys looking to bounce back from first losing season in school history

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax is hoping that history doesn't repeat itself. The Jaguars struggled to a 5-12 record last year. It was the first losing season in school history. Centennial had compiled a 128-35 mark in its previous nine campaigns. "We all hope last year was a flash in the pan," said Duax. "We proved we could beat … [Read more...] about Centennial boys looking to bounce back from first losing season in school history

‘We bring back a lot of experience’: Jags return 15 qualifiers, seek top-10 finish

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When Ankeny Centennial girls' track coach Tyler Asbe puts together his lineup for meets this spring, he's going to have a lot of options. The Jaguars return 15 state qualifiers from a team that placed 12th in last year's Class 4A meet with 22 points, which equaled the highest finish in school history. "We bring back a lot of experience, and we have had … [Read more...] about ‘We bring back a lot of experience’: Jags return 15 qualifiers, seek top-10 finish

IHSAA: Boys’ state basketball tournament will move to Hilton Coliseum in 2027

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Hilton Magic is coming to the Iowa boys' state basketball tournament. Here is a press release from the Iowa High School Athletic Association announcing that its annual hoops tournament will move to Hilton Coliseum in Ames beginning in 2027: A century after playing championships inside State Gym, the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and … [Read more...] about IHSAA: Boys’ state basketball tournament will move to Hilton Coliseum in 2027

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cael Woods, Ankeny Centennial boys’ track

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Senior Cael Woods is one of 12 returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. He helped the Jaguars to a tie for seventh place in Class 4A a year ago. Woods placed eighth in the 400 hurdles (55.07) and 20th in the 110 hurdles (15.56). He also ran on the 11th-place shuttle hurdle and 16th-place 4x400 relays. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cael Woods, Ankeny Centennial boys’ track

Madetzke sets meet record, leads Ankeny to 4th-place finish at IATC Championships

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams earned top-10 finishes in the IATC Indoor Championships on Friday at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center in Ames. The Hawkettes placed fourth with 47 points, while the Jaguars finished ninth with 27. Waukee Northwest claimed the title with 67 points, edging Cedar Falls by two points. Ankeny was … [Read more...] about Madetzke sets meet record, leads Ankeny to 4th-place finish at IATC Championships

Zuber wins 1,600 at IATC Championships, meets Blue Oval Standard for Drake

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Ankeny track standout Ethan Zuber showed on Thursday that he's already in mid-season form. Zuber won the 1,600 with a time of 4:12.75 in the IATC Indoor Championships at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center in Ames. He edged runner-up Owen Wolfe of Dowling Catholic by .25 seconds. Zuber met the Blue Oval Standard for the Drake Relays. He nearly … [Read more...] about Zuber wins 1,600 at IATC Championships, meets Blue Oval Standard for Drake

‘We have a lot of talent all around’: Jaguars boast 12 returning state qualifiers

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The first outdoor meet is still two weeks away for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team, but the balmy spring weather has already allowed the Jaguars to spend a lot of time outside on the track. "The weather has been great," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "We've been lucky to be able to be outside since the first day of practice." Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘We have a lot of talent all around’: Jaguars boast 12 returning state qualifiers

Crawford, Pratt, Williams earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers

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Girls' basketball standouts Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial have earned some more all-state honors along with Ankeny star Jayla Williams. Crawford was a repeat selection to the Class 5A first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Pratt was named to the Class 5A second team for the third consecutive year, while Williams was … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt, Williams earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers

Centennial girls’ track team earns four top-10 finishes at Dickinson Relays

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team earned four top-10 finishes in the Dickinson Relays on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The Jaguars' highest finish came in the 4x800 relay. They placed third in that event with a time of 9:55.90. Bella Hodges took fourth in the 800. She was clocked in 2:28.51. Anna Woods tied for fifth in the high … [Read more...] about Centennial girls’ track team earns four top-10 finishes at Dickinson Relays

Jaguars win 4×200 relay at Dickinson Relays, also compete at Wartburg

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team competed in a pair of indoor meets on Monday. The Jaguars tied for ninth place with 17 points in the Wartburg College meet at Waverly. Waverly-Shell Rock captured the team title with 82 points. Centennial also competed in the Dickinson Relays at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The Jaguars won the 4x200 relay in a … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4×200 relay at Dickinson Relays, also compete at Wartburg

‘I have high expectations’: McGrew to wrestle for Simpson College, McGinness

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Ankeny girls' wrestling standout Haylee McGrew is hoping to reach her potential at the collegiate level. Perhaps an Iowa wrestling legend will help her get there. McGrew has verbally committed to wrestle at Simpson College, which started its program in February of 2022 by naming Jeff McGinness the team's first head coach. The Storm completed its third … [Read more...] about ‘I have high expectations’: McGrew to wrestle for Simpson College, McGinness

Anderson places 7th at Big 12 Tourney, earns trip to NCAA Championships

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Former Ankeny standout Trever Anderson has qualified for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. A redshirt sophomore at Northern Iowa, Anderson automatically qualified with a seventh-place finish at 125 pounds in the Big 12 Championships last weekend at Tulsa, Okla. After splitting his first four matches in the tournament, Anderson was locked in … [Read more...] about Anderson places 7th at Big 12 Tourney, earns trip to NCAA Championships

Crawford again named to 5A 1st team; Two others earn repeat 2nd-team honors

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There were a lot of familiar names on the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association's all-state girls' basketball teams that were announced on Monday. Some of the players were named to the same squads for the second year in a row, including senior stars Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial and versatile junior Jayla Williams of Ankeny. Crawford was … [Read more...] about Crawford again named to 5A 1st team; Two others earn repeat 2nd-team honors

Ankeny’s Gage to play alongside Jags’ duo of Crawford, Pratt in Senior All-Star Game

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Ankeny's Savannah Gage has been selected to play in the Larry Niemeyer Senior All-Star Game along with fellow girls' basketball standouts Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial. The event will be held on Saturday at Cedar Falls. It will consist of a series of six all-star games, beginning at 9:15 a.m. Crawford, Gage and Pratt will all play … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Gage to play alongside Jags’ duo of Crawford, Pratt in Senior All-Star Game

A CHANGE OF PLANS: Ankeny’s Lindaman to join women’s rowing program at Kansas

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When Ankeny swimmer Gracie Lindaman committed to join the women's rowing program at Iowa, she thought she'd be spending the next four years of her life in Iowa City. "I loved their staff, had some great connections with some of the other freshmen recruits, and I was familiar with campus," Lindaman said. Everything changed, though, just 24 hours before … [Read more...] about A CHANGE OF PLANS: Ankeny’s Lindaman to join women’s rowing program at Kansas

Crawford, Pratt, Williams earn all-CIML Conference first-team honors for 2nd time

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Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball stars Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt have been named to the CIML Conference first team along with Ankeny standout Jayla Williams. Crawford was a unanimous pick for the second straight year, while Williams was again a repeat selection. Pratt also earned first-team honors for the second time; she was previously honored as … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt, Williams earn all-CIML Conference first-team honors for 2nd time

‘Tremendous’ four-year run for Centennial seniors ends with loss to potent Dragons

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Scott DeJong stood in the media interview room in the bowels of Wells Fargo Arena and beamed with pride even though the season had just ended for his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. "It's just been a tremendous run with these guys," DeJong said of his nine seniors. "They're my type of team. They play hard, they compete, and they work together. … [Read more...] about ‘Tremendous’ four-year run for Centennial seniors ends with loss to potent Dragons

‘There’s no margin for error’: Jaguars fall to No. 1 Johnston in Class 5A semifinals

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The fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team ended its season on Thursday with a 61-42 loss to No. 1 Johnston in the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mya Crawford and Ava Martin each had 13 points for the Jaguars, who finished the season at 17-8. Jaeden Pratt added six points and seven rebounds. "I was … [Read more...] about ‘There’s no margin for error’: Jaguars fall to No. 1 Johnston in Class 5A semifinals