Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Fall

‘We’re excited to see what we can do’: Jaguars to host S.E. Polk in Friday’s opener

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In recent years, the Ankeny Centennial football team has produced several Division I players. Easton Miller and Connor Welsch are on Iowa State's roster, while Braeden Jackson plays for Iowa. Brothers Elijah and Trey Porter are teammates at Northern Illinois. "It's really a compliment to our staff and to the program," said Centennial co-head coach Ryan … [Read more...] about ‘We’re excited to see what we can do’: Jaguars to host S.E. Polk in Friday’s opener

‘Everyone’s excited to get racing’: Jaguars hope to build off 3rd-place finish at state

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Can the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team keep the positive momentum going from last year's state meet? That's the question facing the Jaguars heading into the 2026 season. Last year, coach Chad Fickbohm's squad peaked at the perfect time. After dropping to 12th in the final Class 4A rankings from the Iowa Association of Track Coaches … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone’s excited to get racing’: Jaguars hope to build off 3rd-place finish at state

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kinnick Nelson, Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf

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Senior Kinnick Nelson shot a 73 to lead the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team to a sixth-place finish in the Jesse Peck Invitational on Wednesday at Briarwood Golf Club. He tied for 14th place overall. Nelson is one of four returning varsity regulars this season for Centennial coach Andrew Reedy. He posted a 40.7 average for nine holes as a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kinnick Nelson, Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf

‘I think 5A is going to be wild’: Jags look to make another deep postseason run

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A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team got over a big hurdle by advancing to the Class 5A championship match for the first time since 2018. Taking the next step and winning a state title will be an even bigger challenge. CIML Conference rival Waukee Northwest enters the season as the favorite to capture its third crown in four years. The … [Read more...] about ‘I think 5A is going to be wild’: Jags look to make another deep postseason run

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

Centennial golfers place 12th at Warrior Invite, will host Peck Invite Wednesday

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team opened its season on Monday with a 12th-place finish in the Warrior Invitational at Glen Oaks Country Club. The Jaguars posted five scores in the 80s and finished with a team total of 331. Kinnick Nelson led the squad with a 78, but was disqualified for not turning in his scorecard. Centennial would have placed … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers place 12th at Warrior Invite, will host Peck Invite Wednesday

Experienced Jaguars among teams that could contend for Class 4A championship

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team has enjoyed a remarkable run of success under coach Eric Cogdill, qualifying for the state meet 12 times in the 13-year history of the program. The Jaguars have earned nine top-10 finishes, including each of the last six years. They have earned four top-five finishes since 2020. Last year, Centennial … [Read more...] about Experienced Jaguars among teams that could contend for Class 4A championship

Centennial girls are No. 2 in Class 4A in IATC’s preseason cross country rankings

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team is No. 2 in Class 4A in the preseason rankings from the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. The preseason rankings were released on Monday afternoon. The Jaguars placed fifth in last year's Class 4A state meet. They are ranked behind defending state champion Waukee Northwest. Centennial also boasts four … [Read more...] about Centennial girls are No. 2 in Class 4A in IATC’s preseason cross country rankings

Centennial volleyball team to play outdoors in Marj White Classic on Aug. 27

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When the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team opens its season on Aug. 27, the Jaguars will do so in unprecedented fashion. Centennial will be among four teams competing in the Marj White Classic hosted by Valley. The tournament has traditionally been held in the Tigers' Bill Coldiron Fieldhouse, but this year's event has been moved outdoors to Valley … [Read more...] about Centennial volleyball team to play outdoors in Marj White Classic on Aug. 27

With 4 returning varsity regulars, Jaguars boast ‘incredible amount’ of potential

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With four of the top six players returning from last year's squad, the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team has a strong nucleus to build around. But heading into the team's tryouts on Monday and Tuesday, Centennial coach Andrew Reedy said that there are no guaranteed spots in the Jaguars' lineup. "We have four guys who all made the varsity for a majority … [Read more...] about With 4 returning varsity regulars, Jaguars boast ‘incredible amount’ of potential

Rinehart commits to South Dakota, while Snyder is headed to Oklahoma Christian

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Ankeny Centennial volleyball players Kaelyn Rinehart and Bailey Snyder won't have to deal with any more recruiting phone calls during the upcoming season. The two Jaguars recently made their college choices. Rinehart, a junior-to-be, has committed to South Dakota--an NCAA Division I program. She was recruited by the Coyotes as a libero. "The thing … [Read more...] about Rinehart commits to South Dakota, while Snyder is headed to Oklahoma Christian

‘I just really liked the coaching staff’: Centennial TE Newman commits to Illinois

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Ankeny Centennial football standout Cade Newman is headed to Champaign. The junior tight end announced his verbal commitment to Illinois on Saturday. Iowa State, Wake Forest, Air Force and Army were among his 19 Division I offers. "I took two official visits--one to Iowa State and the other to Illinois," said Newman. "I just really liked the coaching … [Read more...] about ‘I just really liked the coaching staff’: Centennial TE Newman commits to Illinois

‘I loved the staff’: Centennial’s Targgart commits to play football for Wartburg

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Ankeny Centennial linebacker Nash Targgart has verbally committed to play football at Wartburg College next year. Targgart said he reached out to various schools all over the Midwest in an effort to continue his career on the gridiron. "Wartburg was the only one that I heard back from," said Targgart. "I felt like at Wartburg I loved the staff and the … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the staff’: Centennial’s Targgart commits to play football for Wartburg

Jerry Pezzetti to be inducted Friday into Melcher-Dallas Athletic Hall of Fame

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Chalk up another honor for legendary football coach Jerry Pezzetti. Pezzetti, the co-head coach at Ankeny Centennial along with his son Ryan, will be inducted into the newly established Melcher-Dallas Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday night. He will be honored along with the other members of the inaugural class of inductees about 7:15 p.m. between the … [Read more...] about Jerry Pezzetti to be inducted Friday into Melcher-Dallas Athletic Hall of Fame

‘St. Thomas felt like the best for me’: Centennial’s Morgan commits to Tommies

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Ankeny Centennial running back JJ Morgan has verbally committed to play football for the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. St. Thomas went 7-5 this season, including a 20-13 victory at Drake on Nov. 8. The Tommies compete at the NCAA Division I FCS level as a member of the Pioneer Football League. "I was looking at a lot of schools around the … [Read more...] about ‘St. Thomas felt like the best for me’: Centennial’s Morgan commits to Tommies

Centennial trio, Ankeny threesome earn all-state volleyball honors from IGCA

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Three Ankeny Centennial volleyball stars have earned all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association along with a trio of Ankeny standouts. Centennial's Mya Lei-Butters and Tatem Schmidt were joined on the Class 5A second team by fellow senior Hailey Flanders of Ankeny. Lei-Butters was a third-team pick as a junior. Two other Ankeny players, … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny threesome earn all-state volleyball honors from IGCA

Morgan, Dieken-Keahey, McIntire among 10 Jaguars on all-district first team

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The Ankeny Centennial football team landed 10 players on the all-district first team, led by senior running back JJ Morgan, who was named the District 4 Offensive MVP. Senior offensive lineman Braylin Dieken-Keahey and senior punter Austin McIntire were among the other first-team picks. Dieken-Keahey earned first-team honors for the second straight year … [Read more...] about Morgan, Dieken-Keahey, McIntire among 10 Jaguars on all-district first team

Centennial’s Cogdill, Fickbohm named Class 4A at-large XC coaches of the year

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Ankeny Centennial cross country coaches Eric Cogdill and Chad Fickbohm have been named Class 4A at-large coaches of the year by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. The IATC announced the awards following its fall meeting on Sunday. This is the seventh time that Cogdill has been honored. He guided the Centennial girls' team to a fifth-place finish in … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Cogdill, Fickbohm named Class 4A at-large XC coaches of the year