Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

Jaguars place 2nd, Ankeny takes 5th in tight team race at Hawkette Invitational

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Only 15 points separated the top five teams in the Hawkette Invitational girls' track meet on Thursday at Ankeny Stadium. Indianola won the meet with 118 points. Ankeny Centennial was the runner-up in the eight-team field with 113, edging Cedar Falls by one point. "We had another great meet," said Centennial coach Tyler Asbe. "It was awesome having … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 2nd, Ankeny takes 5th in tight team race at Hawkette Invitational

Centennial boys drop narrow 6-5 decision to S.E. Polk in Menadue’s coaching debut

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team nearly pulled out a victory in its debut under new head coach Grant Menadue. The Jaguars battled visiting Southeast Polk down to the wire before dropping a 6-5 decision in a CIML Conference matchup on Thursday at the Prairie Ridge courts. It was the season opener for both teams. After the two teams battled to a … [Read more...] about Centennial boys drop narrow 6-5 decision to S.E. Polk in Menadue’s coaching debut

Ankeny girls are No. 1 in first Class 3A soccer rankings, while Centennial is No. 5

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The Ankeny girls' soccer team is ranked No. 1 in Class 3A in the first rankings of the season from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union, while crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial is No. 5. The Jaguars opened their season on Monday with a 3-0 victory at No. 12 Iowa City West. The Hawkettes defeated visiting Cedar Falls, 1-0, in their opener on … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls are No. 1 in first Class 3A soccer rankings, while Centennial is No. 5

‘We had good cohesive play’: Jags open season with 3-0 victory at Iowa City West

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It took awhile for Ankeny Centennial's dominance to produce some goals in Monday's girls' soccer season opener at Iowa City West. After going scoreless in the first half, the Jaguars racked up three goals in the final 40 minutes to post a 3-0 victory in the non-conference game. "We missed some good chances in the first half, but the girls understand … [Read more...] about ‘We had good cohesive play’: Jags open season with 3-0 victory at Iowa City West

Jaguars win 4 events, rack up 182 points vs. 7 other teams at Sherwood Relays

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team earned a fourth-place finish in the Sherwood Relays on Saturday at Iowa City High. The Jaguars won four events and racked up 182 points while competing against seven other squads. Cedar Falls won the team title with 360 points, finishing 90 points ahead of Southeast Polk. "We had another great day of … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4 events, rack up 182 points vs. 7 other teams at Sherwood Relays

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddison Balashaitis, ACHS girls’ soccer

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Senior defender Maddison Balashaitis is one of the top returning players for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. She helped the Jaguars to a 13-7 record last season and a trip to the Class 3A state tournament, where she was named to the all-tournament team. Balashaitis scored three goals and also had an assist while helping her squad record six … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddison Balashaitis, ACHS girls’ soccer

‘We are very deep’: Petersen optimistic about potential for Centennial golfers

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Despite graduating three seniors from last year's varsity lineup, the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team still boasts plenty of depth. There are 22 golfers on the roster, led by a trio of returning regulars in seniors Kate Geiselhart and Kaylee Sprecher and sophomore Cate Trewet. "We are very deep," said Centennial coach John Petersen. "We have a … [Read more...] about ‘We are very deep’: Petersen optimistic about potential for Centennial golfers

Centennial girls win 4 events at Dragon Invitational, including pair of relays

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team won four events in the Dragon Invitational on Thursday at Johnston. Five other squads competed at the meet. No team scores were kept, but Centennial coach Tyler Asbe was elated afterwards. "We had a beautiful night to compete, and our girls had some strong performances," said Asbe. "It was a great meet to get our … [Read more...] about Centennial girls win 4 events at Dragon Invitational, including pair of relays

Jaguars win 9 events at Early Bird Relays; Hawks ‘set the tone’ in shuttle hurdle

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams made some strong statements on Thursday at the Waukee Northwest Early Bird Relays. No team scores were kept, but the Jaguars turned in a dominant performance. They won nine events, including four relays. The Hawks, meanwhile, had three victories--and two of them were particularly impressive. Ethan … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 9 events at Early Bird Relays; Hawks ‘set the tone’ in shuttle hurdle

‘I’m very excited for the opportunity’: Menadue hired to coach Centennial boys

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A former Ankeny standout has been hired to take over the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis program. Grant Menadue, a state doubles qualifier in 2013, will replace the late Tami Lewton--who passed away last June after a courageous five-month battle against cancer. Lewton coached the team for eight seasons. "Coach Lewton was a very special coach and person … [Read more...] about ‘I’m very excited for the opportunity’: Menadue hired to coach Centennial boys

‘It was an amazing run’: DeJong retires after 37 seasons, record 7 state titles

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When Scott DeJong came to Ankeny in 1993 to take over the girls' basketball program, he replaced a legendary coach in Dick Rasmussen. Now, more than three decades later, DeJong has put an end to his own legendary career. The only head coach in Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball history, DeJong announced his retirement on Tuesday--shortly after giving … [Read more...] about ‘It was an amazing run’: DeJong retires after 37 seasons, record 7 state titles

THE END OF AN ERA: Jaguars’ coaching legend DeJong announces retirement

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Girls' basketball coaching legend Scott DeJong of Ankeny Centennial has retired after 37 seasons, including the last 12 with the Jaguars. DeJong turned in his resignation letter to Activities Director Nate Lingren on Tuesday afternoon. "I had thought I would be doing this, but when it came down to it, I had a hard time writing the letter," DeJong said. … [Read more...] about THE END OF AN ERA: Jaguars’ coaching legend DeJong announces retirement

‘I need to catch my breath’: Fontana steps down from Jags’ program after 12 years

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The only head coach in Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball history has stepped down from the program. Bob Fontana has resigned from his position after guiding the Jaguars to a 173-101 record over the last 12 seasons. "Not many coaches can say they got to come home and start a new program in a new school," said Fontana, who compiled a 474-299 mark … [Read more...] about ‘I need to catch my breath’: Fontana steps down from Jags’ program after 12 years

Crawford, Pratt to play in Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at DC-G

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Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball standouts Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt will both compete in the 2025 Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Crawford and Pratt will both play for the Southwest Iowa team that will be coached by Maddie Gelber of Roland-Story and Jon Weinrich of Shenandoah. North Polk senior Abby Tuttle will also … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt to play in Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at DC-G

Jaguars win 4×400 relay, Ankeny’s Badillo ties for 1st in high jump at Central Indoor

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams competed in the Central College Indoor Meet on Friday at Pella, and each squad came away with a victory. The Jaguars won the 4x400 relay with a time of 4:14.06. They won the race by more than 2 seconds over Southeast Polk. The highlight of Ankeny's day came in the high jump, where Mila Badillo … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4×400 relay, Ankeny’s Badillo ties for 1st in high jump at Central Indoor

Centennial girls focus on spring season, prepare for switch to fall tennis in August

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Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson will be spending a lot of time with her players over the next several months. Tryouts for the spring season begin on Monday for the Jaguars, who will then transition to a fall season in August under schedule changes from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union for 2025-26. "So far, our numbers for … [Read more...] about Centennial girls focus on spring season, prepare for switch to fall tennis in August

‘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