Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Jaguars

Ankeny girls’ swimming coach Stout announces retirement after 15 seasons

by

Ankeny girls' swimming coach Michelle Stout wanted to leave her program in a good place. She has certainly done that. The longtime coach of the Hawkettes has announced her retirement. "I always knew I wanted to be sure I retired at a time when the team was in a position to succeed after my departure," said Stout, who has also been an assistant … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ swimming coach Stout announces retirement after 15 seasons

Centennial’s James verbally commits to play softball at Simpson College

by

Ankeny Centennial softball player Mackenzie James didn't have to wait any longer to make her college plans. The junior outfielder verbally committed on Friday to play for Simpson College, beginning in the fall of 2023. "The decision was pretty easy for me," said James. "Simpson was the first school I visited and instantly I felt at home. The softball … [Read more...] about Centennial’s James verbally commits to play softball at Simpson College

Peterson, 3 other varsity regulars are back for Centennial boys’ tennis team

by

Despite losing state runner-up Will Blevins to graduation, the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team has a capable replacement to take over the squad's No. 1 spot. Junior Caleb Peterson posted a 15-2 record at the No. 2 singles position a year ago. He also teamed up with Nic Mackaman, who graduated as well, for a 12-4 mark in doubles, including a … [Read more...] about Peterson, 3 other varsity regulars are back for Centennial boys’ tennis team

Despite heavy losses to graduation, Centennial girls return wealth of talent

by

Most girls' soccer teams would have a hard time replacing an all-stater like Elizabeth Overberg. Not to mention four other all-conference players in Cecilia Burroughs, Macy Epp, Aly Jumper and Meghan White. But Ankeny Centennial still returns a wealth of talent from last year's team that posted an 18-3 record and handed eventual Class 3A state champion … [Read more...] about Despite heavy losses to graduation, Centennial girls return wealth of talent

Ex-star Gustafson returns to Centennial girls’ tennis program as head coach

by

When Ankeny Centennial first opened in 2013, the school opted to hire Collin Daniels--who was then a student at Iowa State University--to coach the boys' tennis team. Now, the Jaguars have turned to another Iowa State student to coach the girls' tennis squad. Alli Gustafson, a former Centennial standout, has returned to the program as head coach. A … [Read more...] about Ex-star Gustafson returns to Centennial girls’ tennis program as head coach

‘We’re just trying to be competitive’: Jags look to rebuild after historic season

by

Coming off the best season in school history, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team faces a rebuilding year in 2022. The Jaguars placed third in last year's Class 4A state meet with 61 points, the school's highest finish ever. Many of the standouts from that team, however, will have to be replaced. State runners-up Tommy Collins (400) and D'Eric Smith … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just trying to be competitive’: Jags look to rebuild after historic season

‘We don’t see any weaknesses’: Jaguars look to build on last year’s success

by

On paper, the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team appears to have a lot of experience. The Jaguars return 12 varsity players, including eight starters, from a squad that posted a 15-5 record and won the CIML Iowa Conference title a year ago. "We return a lot of players with varsity experience, but every year is different," said Centennial coach Brian … [Read more...] about ‘We don’t see any weaknesses’: Jaguars look to build on last year’s success

Ankeny’s Crandall, Centennial’s Kelling named to Iowa Conference first team

by

Boys' basketball standouts Ryan Crandall of Ankeny and Caden Kelling of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. Crandall, a senior forward, led the Hawks to a 19-5 record and a trip to the Class 4A state tournament. He averaged a team-high 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crandall, Centennial’s Kelling named to Iowa Conference first team

Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

by

Chalk up another postseason honor for the duo of Cleao Murray and Jenna Pitz. The two girls' basketball standouts have both received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Murray, a senior guard at Ankeny Centennial, was named to the Class 5A second team. Pitz, a junior guard at Ankeny, was a third-team pick. Both players were … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association

by

Girls' basketball standouts Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny have received all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Murray, a senior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. Pitz, a junior guard, was a third-team selection. Murray led the Jaguars to a 20-4 record and a repeat appearance in the Class … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association

With 115 girls out and 12 state qualifiers returning, Jaguars have a lot of options

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team has grown by more than 40 percent. "We have 115 kids out right now, up from 80 last year," said Centennial coach Andrew Kruzich. "We've had a massive jump, which is exciting and challenging." The Jaguars, who are slated to compete in the UNI Indoor Meet on Monday at Cedar Falls, placed 14th in last year's Class … [Read more...] about With 115 girls out and 12 state qualifiers returning, Jaguars have a lot of options

Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks

by

Guards Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny were both unanimous picks to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. Murray and Pitz led their teams to a share of the conference title this season. Ankeny and Centennial tied for the crown with Waukee Northwest. Murray, a senior, helped … [Read more...] about Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks

‘We knew it was a tough draw’: Talented Wahawks end Centennial’s bid for crown

by

The Class 5A field for this year's girls' state basketball tournament might be one of the best ever. It's certainly the deepest. Sixth-ranked Waterloo West showed that it may be the most talented team in Class 5A with a 67-59 victory over No. 3 Ankeny Centennial in the quarterfinals on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Wahawks (22-2) advanced to … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it was a tough draw’: Talented Wahawks end Centennial’s bid for crown

Wahawks top Centennial 25 years after Ankeny’s epic five-OT win against West

by

Before they coached against each other on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena, girls' basketball coaches Scott DeJong of Ankeny Centennial and Dr. Anthony Pappas of Waterloo West had a few moments to reminisce. It was 25 years ago that the two coaches battled in an epic state tournament game at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, which was also known as "The … [Read more...] about Wahawks top Centennial 25 years after Ankeny’s epic five-OT win against West

‘We left it all out on the court’: Jaguars fall to hot-shooting Waterloo West, 67-59

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team didn't go down without a fight. The third-ranked Jaguars made several runs in the second half but came up short against No. 6 Waterloo West, 67-59, in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. "I think we left it all out on the court," said Centennial senior Cleao … [Read more...] about ‘We left it all out on the court’: Jaguars fall to hot-shooting Waterloo West, 67-59

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Elle Street, Centennial girls’ basketball

by

Senior guard Elle Street has helped the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 20-3 record and a berth in this week's Class 5A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The Jaguars advanced to state for the second year in a row with a 46-41 victory over visiting Sioux City East in a regional final on Wednesday. Street, who has committed … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Elle Street, Centennial girls’ basketball

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

by

A year ago, Waukee stormed to the Class 5A girls' basketball title in dominant fashion, winning its three games at Wells Fargo Arena by 23, 21 and 28 points. Now, another CIML school is poised to make some history as well. Top-ranked Johnston, which won the state championship in 2020 before losing a title-game rematch against Waukee last year, enters … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals