As the pass from Ankeny Centennial's Chase Kluver sailed toward the right corner of the end zone, Sam Heither dove for the ball in an effort to make a spectacular catch. Heither somehow made the grab, which would have provided the tying points for the sixth-ranked Jaguars in the third overtime of Friday's game against No. 1 Dowling Catholic. Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘It came down to the last play’: Centennial falls to No. 1 Dowling in triple-OT thriller
Jaguars
Centennial cross country teams race to 3rd-place finishes in Williams Invitational
The Ankeny Centennial cross country teams raced to third-place finishes in the Bud Williams Invitational on Thursday at the Kickers Soccer Complex in Iowa City. The Centennial girls' squad lost to opponents from Iowa for the first time this season. The third-ranked Jaguars had won their first three meets of the year before placing fourth in the Gold … [Read more...] about Centennial cross country teams race to 3rd-place finishes in Williams Invitational
Jaguars sweep past Valley for another road win, improve to 6-0 in conference
Playing on the road doesn't seem to bother the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. The top-ranked Jaguars earned their fifth consecutive road victory--and their second sweep in three days--with a 25-23, 25-18, 25-18 win at No. 12 Valley on Thursday. The win allowed Centennial to remain unbeaten in CIML Conference play. The Jaguars are now 6-0 in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep past Valley for another road win, improve to 6-0 in conference
Hawks place 5th, Jaguars finish 7th at CIML meet; will now gear up for districts
Many of the teams competing in the CIML Conference meet on Wednesday at Otter Creek could be headed to the boys' Class 4A state golf meet next week at Briarwood Golf Club. The nine-team CIML boasts eight of the top 15 squads in the Class 4A rankings. As many as seven of them could qualify for state, because they'll be spread across three different … [Read more...] about Hawks place 5th, Jaguars finish 7th at CIML meet; will now gear up for districts
Jaguars move closer to conference crown with road sweep over No. 8 Waukee
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Jaguars know there’s no such thing as a “gimme game” when it comes to the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. But after sweeping the Waukee Warriors in three sets on the road Tuesday night, the top-ranked Ankeny Centennial volleyball team is so close to locking up its first league title since 2021 that the Jaguars can … [Read more...] about Jaguars move closer to conference crown with road sweep over No. 8 Waukee
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 277
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America and Revive Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm previews Friday's football showdown at Valley Stadium with co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti and senior running back Braeden Jackson of Ankeny Centennial and assistant coach Andy Pollock of Dowling Catholic. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 277
Centennial’s Arndt commits to play baseball at University of St. Thomas
Ankeny Centennial pitcher Colton Arndt has verbally committed to play baseball for the University of St. Thomas. Arndt, a junior, said he wanted to stay in the Midwest and found what he was looking for at St. Thomas--which is located in St. Paul, Minn. "I liked that I was going to get a really good education, along with playing baseball at the Division … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Arndt commits to play baseball at University of St. Thomas
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Haley Hveem, Centennial girls’ cross country
Senior Haley Hveem helped the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team to a fourth-place finish in the Rim Rock Farm Classic on Saturday at Lawrence, Kan. It was the highest finish by an Iowa team in five years. Hveem placed 12th in a field of 179 runners. She posted a time of 18 minutes 46 seconds on the 5K course. Hveem is eighth in … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Haley Hveem, Centennial girls’ cross country
Jackson scores on opening kickoff to spark Jaguars to 44-7 victory at East
A trip to Williams Stadium on Friday night provided an opportunity for the Ankeny Centennial football team to bounce back from its first loss of the season. The Jaguars took advantage of it. Braeden Jackson returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and Centennial went on to beat host Des Moines East, 44-7, in its district opener. "My … [Read more...] about Jackson scores on opening kickoff to spark Jaguars to 44-7 victory at East
‘This was a great experience’: Centennial girls place 4th at Rim Rock Farm Classic
After winning its first three meets of the season, the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country squad traveled to Lawrence, Kan., this weekend to face some of the top teams in the Midwest. The third-ranked Jaguars placed fourth in the Gold Division of the Rim Rock Farm Classic on Saturday. They finished with 210 points. The prestigious meet featured … [Read more...] about ‘This was a great experience’: Centennial girls place 4th at Rim Rock Farm Classic
‘That’s a huge win for us’: Jaguars topple Ankeny to move closer to conference title
It took awhile for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team to hit its stride on Thursday night. But once the Jaguars did, they were nearly unstoppable. Top-ranked Centennial rallied from a one-set deficit to post a 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-15 victory at No. 3 Ankeny in a CIML Conference showdown. The Jaguars shook off some rust to defeat their crosstown … [Read more...] about ‘That’s a huge win for us’: Jaguars topple Ankeny to move closer to conference title
Ankeny swimmers drop 131-55 decision to No. 3 Cedar Falls, tumble to 6-2 overall
The ninth-ranked Ankeny girls' swimming team dropped a 131-55 decision to visiting Cedar Falls in a non-conference dual meet on Thursday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The No. 3 Tigers (4-0) have won all four of their dual meets by similar scores. Ankeny dropped to 6-2 on the season. The Hawkettes got a pair of second-place finishes from Paige … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers drop 131-55 decision to No. 3 Cedar Falls, tumble to 6-2 overall
‘It was a good day all around’: Centennial boys place 3rd at Indianola Invitational
The Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team placed third in the Indianola Invitational on Thursday for the second year in a row. The 17th-ranked Jaguars finished with 72 points in the 13-team field. The meet was held at Pickard Park. "It was a good day all around for us," said Centennial coach Chad Fickbohm. "What we really liked about this meet is … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good day all around’: Centennial boys place 3rd at Indianola Invitational
Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Sarah Alberts, Centennial volleyball
The longtime assistant coach was honored as part of Ankeny's 2004 state championship team before helping guide the Jaguars to a four-set victory in the crosstown rivalry. … [Read more...] about Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Sarah Alberts, Centennial volleyball
No. 1 Jaguars rally past Ankeny in 4 sets, stay unbeaten in CIML Conference play
The top-ranked Ankeny Centennial volleyball team rallied for a 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-15 victory at No. 3 Ankeny on Thursday to remain unbeaten in the CIML Conference. The Jaguars scored the final three points to break a 22-22 tie in Set 3, then dominated Set 4 to close out the match. They defeated their crosstown rival for the fourth straight … [Read more...] about No. 1 Jaguars rally past Ankeny in 4 sets, stay unbeaten in CIML Conference play
Ankeny golfers place 4th at S.E. Polk Invite; Miller leads Jags to 7th-place finish
As the boys' high school golf season heads into the home stretch, Ankeny appears to be peaking at the right time. Ankeny Centennial, meanwhile, is still looking to reach its potential. Both teams competed in the Southeast Polk Invitational on Wednesday at Copper Creek Golf Club in Pleasant Hill. The 15th-ranked Hawks shot a 296 to place fourth in the … [Read more...] about Ankeny golfers place 4th at S.E. Polk Invite; Miller leads Jags to 7th-place finish
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 276
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America and Revive Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm interviews Ankeny activities director Mike Bakker and volleyball players Finley Greiner of Ankeny Centennial and Olivia Eike of Ankeny about Thursday's Jag-Hawk showdown. Revive owner Stef Gatica also makes an … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 276
No. 9 Ankeny swimmers rely on their depth to post 114-72 victory over Valley
Despite winning just four events, the Ankeny girls' swimming team rolled to a 114-72 victory over visiting Valley on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes relied on their depth to raise their records to 2-1 in the CIML Conference and 6-1 overall. They placed second in all 12 events and had seven third-place finishes. "I … [Read more...] about No. 9 Ankeny swimmers rely on their depth to post 114-72 victory over Valley
‘Learning experience’: Jaguars place 8th among 18 squads at Heartland Classic
The Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team earned an eighth-place finish in the Heartland Classic on Saturday at Pella. The 16th-ranked Jaguars finished with 202 points in the 18-team field. "We are using these races as learning experiences," said Centennial coach Chad Fickbohm. "I felt we got out and put ourselves in a really good position. We … [Read more...] about ‘Learning experience’: Jaguars place 8th among 18 squads at Heartland Classic
Ankeny boys place 14th, Hawkettes finish 18th at prestigious Roy Griak Invitational
Friday's Roy Griak Invitational at St. Paul, Minn., provided an opportunity for the Ankeny cross country teams to compete in one of the premier races in the Midwest. More than 40 teams participated in both the boys' and girls' championship divisions, attracting schools from multiple states. Each race had a field of more than 400 runners. "It was our … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys place 14th, Hawkettes finish 18th at prestigious Roy Griak Invitational