Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

Centennial girls stress ‘positivity’, earn runner-up finish at Oldham Invite

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The theme this week for the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team is positivity. Tuesday's windy conditions provided a huge test for the Jaguars' mental toughness, but they were up to the challenge. Centennial placed second among seven teams in the Oldham Invitational at Johnston with 119 points. Waukee easily won the meet with 171 points. "It was a … [Read more...] about Centennial girls stress ‘positivity’, earn runner-up finish at Oldham Invite

No. 6 Centennial girls open their season with 6-5 loss at No. 4 Valley

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Even in a loss, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team showed a glimpse of its potential on Tuesday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars opened their season with a 6-5 loss at No. 4 Valley. It was the team's first meet under new head coach Armando Espinosa. "It was a great match," Espinosa said. "We fought very hard." Centennial won four of the six singles … [Read more...] about No. 6 Centennial girls open their season with 6-5 loss at No. 4 Valley

‘We learned a lot about ourselves’: Jags top C.R. Washington, fall to I.C. West

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If nothing else, the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team is now battle-tested. The Jaguars opened their season on Saturday by splitting a pair of games in eastern Iowa. They posted a 1-0 victory over Cedar Rapids Washington before dropping a 2-0 decision to host Iowa City West. "We traveled with 21 guys, and we were down to 17 by the time we played … [Read more...] about ‘We learned a lot about ourselves’: Jags top C.R. Washington, fall to I.C. West

No. 6 Centennial girls to rely heavily on senior duo of Gustafson, Guan

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team is ranked sixth in Class 2A in the preseason rankings. The Jaguars will find out on Tuesday if they deserve that ranking when they open the season at No. 4 Valley. "I think the girls have done a really nice job at adapting to my way of coaching and practice," said Centennial coach Armando Espinosa. "I guess we … [Read more...] about No. 6 Centennial girls to rely heavily on senior duo of Gustafson, Guan

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ soccer team

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The success of the Ankeny boys' soccer program didn't happen overnight. The Hawks struggled to a 2-12-2 record in their first season of competition in 1985, and they didn't post a winning mark until 1989, when coach Mark McDougal led the team to a 7-6-3 campaign. The 1990s saw some gradual progress under McDougal and then Peter Rameh, who took over the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ soccer team

Collins, Johnson lead Centennial boys to team crown at Brooks Relays

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Even at less than full strength, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team made an emphatic statement on Saturday. The Jaguars claimed their second title in five days by winning the Brooks Relays at Valley. They finished with 135 points. "We're just trying to get through the season," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "We have some injuries, and we're … [Read more...] about Collins, Johnson lead Centennial boys to team crown at Brooks Relays

Jaguars win 4 events, place 3rd overall at Ram Relays; Hawks finish 6th

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Earlier in the week, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team had to overcome some extremely windy conditions to win the Cub Relays at Nevada. On Thursday, the Jaguars--as well as crosstown rival Ankeny--had to deal with a different issue in the Ram Relays at Southeast Polk. "They were having some trouble with the timing system," said Ankeny coach Nick … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4 events, place 3rd overall at Ram Relays; Hawks finish 6th

McMahon sets school record in 1,500, leads Ankeny girls to Hawkette crown

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It's been a few years since the Ankeny girls' track team won its own Hawkette Invitational. The Hawkettes put an end to that drought with a dominating performance on Thursday. Ankeny captured eight events and easily won the team title with 178.75 points. The Hawkettes last won their home meet in 2017, when Dennis Adamson was the team's coach. "It … [Read more...] about McMahon sets school record in 1,500, leads Ankeny girls to Hawkette crown

Centennial boys win 9 events, easily capture team title at Cub Relays

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team dominated the Cub Relays on Tuesday at Nevada. The Jaguars won nine events and easily captured the team title of the Class A division with 446.5 points. Mason City was second in the eight-team field with 346.5. "It was a great effort by all in not-so-great conditions," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "The … [Read more...] about Centennial boys win 9 events, easily capture team title at Cub Relays

‘It was a great start to our season!’: Centennial boys roll past Norwalk

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Tuesday's cold and windy weather didn't seem to bother the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team. The Jaguars were just happy to be playing for the first time since 2019. Centennial opened its season with a 10-1 victory over visiting Norwalk in a non-conference meet. The Warriors' lone win came at No. 5 doubles. "I thought the guys played really … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great start to our season!’: Centennial boys roll past Norwalk

Vortherms enjoys ‘huge day’, leads Jaguars to runner-up finish at Iowa City

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Kathryn Vortherms will continue her track career at the University of Iowa next year. On Saturday, Vortherms traveled to the city of her future home and showed why the Hawkeyes offered her a scholarship. Competing in the Sherwood Relays at Iowa City High, Vortherms anchored Centennial's 4x800 relay to a victory in school-record time. She later placed … [Read more...] about Vortherms enjoys ‘huge day’, leads Jaguars to runner-up finish at Iowa City

Scrimmage between Centennial, Johnston boys ends with a shootout

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It was only a scrimmage, but the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team showed a lot of spunk Friday in its exhibition game against visiting Johnston. The Dragons jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Centennial rallied to forge a 4-4 tie at the end of regulation. Johnston then prevailed in a shootout, 5-4. "I didn't know what to expect after basically a … [Read more...] about Scrimmage between Centennial, Johnston boys ends with a shootout

Jaguars move outdoors for first time, win 7 events at Johnston Quadrangular

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Andrew Kruzich knows a lot more about his Ankeny Centennial girls' track team than he did 24 hours ago. The Jaguars opened their outdoor season on Thursday by competing in the Johnston Quadrangular. They dominated some events and also performed very well in many others. "We had a good night," Kruzich said. "It was great to get outdoors and have a meet … [Read more...] about Jaguars move outdoors for first time, win 7 events at Johnston Quadrangular

Hawks win sprint medley relay, Jaguars also shine at Waukee Earlybird meet

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The weather for Thursday's Waukee Earlybird boys' track meet wasn't the greatest. Still, Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial both overcame the rainy conditions to turn in some good performances. The meet was unscored. "Our kids competed very well," said Ankeny coach Nick Nelson. "We still have some of our top guys running at half capacity. We're waiting for … [Read more...] about Hawks win sprint medley relay, Jaguars also shine at Waukee Earlybird meet

‘We have the opportunity to be quite formidable’: Jaguars boast depth, speed

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Making up for lost time is one of the goals for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. The Jaguars reached the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament in 2019 before the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We want to be playing soccer on absolutely every date possible," said Centennial coach Chris Allen. "We want to pass on … [Read more...] about ‘We have the opportunity to be quite formidable’: Jaguars boast depth, speed

Blevins is back for final season, but Centennial lacks depth, experience

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COVID-19 took a toll on the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team. The Jaguars not only lost the entire 2020 season to the global pandemic. They also lost a lot of players in the process. "Many of the freshmen and sophomores that were new to tennis (last year) found jobs, or got involved in other activities and did not come out this year," said … [Read more...] about Blevins is back for final season, but Centennial lacks depth, experience

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kathryn Vortherms, Centennial girls’ track

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Senior Kathryn Vortherms is a four-time state placewinner for the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. She helped the Jaguars to a 12th-place tie in the Class 4A state meet in 2019 before her junior season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a sophomore, Vortherms anchored the the sixth-place distance medley relay and the fifth-place sprint … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kathryn Vortherms, Centennial girls’ track

Quass places 2nd in 800 at Central Indoor Meet, ties school record

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Ankeny Centennial's Rondi Quass has picked up right where she left off during the cross country season. Quass, a sophomore and one of the state's top distance runners, led the Jaguars to a third-place finish in the Class 4A state meet last fall. She placed 14th in a time of 18:54.4. On Saturday, Quass showed that she's ready for the outdoor track … [Read more...] about Quass places 2nd in 800 at Central Indoor Meet, ties school record