Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny volleyball team

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Perhaps no high school sport has been more synonymous with the community of Ankeny than the game of volleyball. Ankeny High School captured four state championships in a six-year period from 2004-09. Following the split into two high schools in 2013, Ankeny Centennial quickly claimed four titles in a five-year stretch from 2014-18. "It's fantastic to … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny volleyball team

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Senior Colin McAleer is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team, which will open its season on Friday at Fort Dodge. A wing player, McAleer averaged 7.3 points per game as a junior while helping the Jaguars to a 24-3 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. McAleer connected on 37.5 percent … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ basketball

‘There is a lot of work still to be done’: Ankeny swimmers seek another crown

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There may not be another boys' swimming team in the state with as much elite talent as Ankeny's foursome of Trent Frandson, Weston Miner, Brek Stukerjurgen and Lance Swanepoel. That quartet alone will likely put the Hawks into contention for the state title in February. "I do think that we have a lot of talent returning," said Ankeny coach Justin … [Read more...] about ‘There is a lot of work still to be done’: Ankeny swimmers seek another crown

Crews, McAleer to lead way as Jaguars rebuild after record-setting season

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Following the most successful season in school history, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team faces a major rebuilding task. The Jaguars return only two starters from a team that posted a 24-3 record and placed fourth in the Class 4A state tournament. "Our kids understand we will have to be a hard-nosed team with great chemistry that plays hard … [Read more...] about Crews, McAleer to lead way as Jaguars rebuild after record-setting season

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brek Stukerjurgen, Ankeny boys’ swimming

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Senior Brek Stukerjurgen is one of the top returnees for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. He is an eight-time state placewinner. Stukerjurgen placed fourth in the 100 backstroke and sixth in the 500 freestyle at the 2020 state meet. He anchored the Hawks to a tie for third place in the 400 freestyle relay and also swam on the fifth-place 200 medley … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brek Stukerjurgen, Ankeny boys’ swimming

DeJong: Centennial girls ‘have a chance to have a really exciting season’

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All the ingredients for a winning basketball team appear to be on the Ankeny Centennial girls' roster. Head coach Scott DeJong just has to put all the pieces together. "We made a lot of progress since the first day of practice," said DeJong, whose team is seventh in the Class 5A preseason rankings. "There is much more team building to do with the loss … [Read more...] about DeJong: Centennial girls ‘have a chance to have a really exciting season’

Vortherms commits to Hawkeyes, will reunite with former Jaguar teammates

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Kathryn Vortherms considers her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial girls' track squad part of her family. She was hoping to find a similar environment on the collegiate level, and she found it in Iowa City. Vortherms has committed to join the Iowa women's track and field program next year. She will be reunited with former Centennial teammates Emma … [Read more...] about Vortherms commits to Hawkeyes, will reunite with former Jaguar teammates

‘We’ll be ready to go’: Jaguars want to be hammers–whenever season begins

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Jay Groth isn't worried about whether his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers will be in shape once the Ankeny school district returns to in-person classes. "I've told them, 'When we get back--whenever that is--we're going to be ready to compete,'" Groth said. "And we'll know if you haven't been doing what you need to do to be able to compete, because you'll run … [Read more...] about ‘We’ll be ready to go’: Jaguars want to be hammers–whenever season begins

Hansen to play for Morningside, while Monosmith commits to Iowa Lakes

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Two more members of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team have made their college plans. Senior pitcher Trey Hansen has committed to play for Morningside College. Senior outfielder Gabriel Monosmith is headed to Iowa Lakes Community College. "It was a tough decision," said Monosmith. "COVID-19 and the NCAA decisions made my search challenging. I did … [Read more...] about Hansen to play for Morningside, while Monosmith commits to Iowa Lakes

Ankeny bowling teams ‘can loosen up and have a little fun’ under Richtsmeier

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For the first time in several years, the members of the Ankeny bowling teams won't have to get acquainted with a new coach. Lane Richtsmeier is back for his second season after taking over the program last year. He is Ankeny's seventh different head coach since the 2014-15 season, but is the first one of that group to return for a second campaign. "So … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams ‘can loosen up and have a little fun’ under Richtsmeier

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Riley Keller, Ankeny Centennial football

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Sophomore offensive lineman Riley Keller is a member of the Ankeny Centennial football team. Keller helped the Jaguars to a 2-6 record this season. "Riley is a hard-working young man on and off the football field," said Centennial co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti. "His persistence to be a team contributor was evident when given the opportunity." … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Riley Keller, Ankeny Centennial football

Bauer named captain of Class 4A all-state team by Iowa Print Sports Writers

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Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer is no longer flying under the radar. His performances throughout the Class 4A playoffs changed all that. Bauer has been named the captain of the Class 4A all-state team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. He was among 10 Ankeny … [Read more...] about Bauer named captain of Class 4A all-state team by Iowa Print Sports Writers

Hawks place 7 players on all-district first team, 8 more on second team

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The state champion Ankeny football team placed seven players on the all-district first team and eight more on the second team. Ankeny Centennial, meanwhile, had three first-team and three second-team selections. The all-district teams were selected by the coaches from the following teams: Ankeny, Centennial, Ames, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Indianola … [Read more...] about Hawks place 7 players on all-district first team, 8 more on second team

‘I loved the team unity’: Centennial’s Blevins commits to play for Bulldogs

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An opportunity to play in front of the Drake tennis coaches has paid off for Ankeny Centennial standout Will Blevins. The senior has committed to play for the Bulldogs. "I'm so excited!" Blevins said. "Earlier in the fall I had been playing many ITA tournaments held by Drake in Des Moines. This gave me the opportunity to showcase my talents against … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the team unity’: Centennial’s Blevins commits to play for Bulldogs

Ankeny volleyball star Schrader named state’s player of the year by IGCA

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2020 has been the year of COVID-19. It has also been the year of Phyona Schrader. The senior setter led the Ankeny volleyball team to the Class 5A state championship earlier this month. She was selected the captain of the all-tournament team. Now, Schrader has received more honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. She was named to the Elite … [Read more...] about Ankeny volleyball star Schrader named state’s player of the year by IGCA

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ryan Bybee, Ankeny Centennial boys’ cross country

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Senior Ryan Bybee is a member of the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team. Bybee ran in several varsity meets for the Jaguars this season. On Sept. 10, he placed 38th in the Red Division of the Marshalltown Invitational with a time of 17 minutes 52 seconds, helping Centennial to the team title. "It's been great to watch Ryan grow as an athlete … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ryan Bybee, Ankeny Centennial boys’ cross country

Part-time runner helps Ankeny swimmers to 7th-place finish at state meet

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A freshman who didn't even focus on swimming full-time this fall helped the Ankeny girls' swimming team to a seventh-place finish in the state meet on Saturday at Marshalltown. Anja Peck, who was also one of the top runners on the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country squad, placed seventh in the 100 breaststroke in her state-meet debut. She posted a … [Read more...] about Part-time runner helps Ankeny swimmers to 7th-place finish at state meet

Henning breaks AHS mark in backstroke; Carleton, Peck also advance to finals

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Ankeny swimmer Alexis Henning was hoping to break the school record in the 100 backstroke during the girls' state meet this weekend at Marshalltown. She didn't wait until Saturday's finals to do it. Henning broke the mark with a time of 57.68 seconds during the preliminaries on Friday night. She qualified for Saturday's "A" final with the sixth-fastest … [Read more...] about Henning breaks AHS mark in backstroke; Carleton, Peck also advance to finals