Ankeny junior Caleb Rathjen captured his second straight state wrestling title on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena, despite getting a bloody nose for the second year in a row. The top-ranked Rathjen rolled to a 17-6 major decision over No. 2 Dreyzon Phillips of Fort Dodge to win the Class 3A crown at 138 pounds. He finished the season with a 43-1 … [Read more...] about BLOODY GOOD: Ankeny’s Rathjen claims 2nd straight state wrestling crown
Jaguars
‘We saw the real Ben Monroe’: Centennial star closes career with 3rd-place finish
Ankeny Centennial's Ben Monroe closed out his illustrious high school wrestling career with one of his biggest victories. The fourth-ranked Monroe posted a 7-5 decision over No. 1 Deven Strief of North Scott to earn a third-place finish at 145 pounds in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. He finished the season with a 40-3 … [Read more...] about ‘We saw the real Ben Monroe’: Centennial star closes career with 3rd-place finish
Jaguars romp past Lincoln, will take 21-1 record into postseason play
The top-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team completed the best regular season in school history with a 79-54 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln on Friday. It was the 15th straight win for the Jaguars, who improved to 21-1 heading into postseason play. Lincoln's record dropped to 12-9. "I'm real proud of the guys," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past Lincoln, will take 21-1 record into postseason play
Monroe rebounds from quarterfinal loss, becomes 4-time placewinner for Jaguars
The dream of an individual state championship ended on Friday morning for Ankeny Centennial wrestlers Ben Monroe and Logan Neils. Both seniors suffered losses in the Class 3A quarterfinals at Wells Fargo Arena, but the fourth-ranked Monroe could still place as high as third at 145 pounds. He rebounded with a pair of major decisions in the consolation … [Read more...] about Monroe rebounds from quarterfinal loss, becomes 4-time placewinner for Jaguars
Ankeny advances 3 wrestlers into semifinals, surges into top 10 of Class 3A
Sixth-ranked Ankeny has surged into eighth place in the Class 3A state tournament after advancing three wrestlers into the semifinals on Friday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena. The Hawks will also have a fourth placewinner in 10th-ranked Cael Cox at 120 pounds. The junior lost to defending state champion Drake Ayala of Fort Dodge in the quarterfinals on … [Read more...] about Ankeny advances 3 wrestlers into semifinals, surges into top 10 of Class 3A
Neils pins his way into 3A quarterfinals, while Monroe escapes with win
A .500 record on the opening day of the Class 3A state tournament left Ankeny Centennial with two quarterfinalists and two more wrestlers alive in the consolation bracket. Top-ranked Logan Neils at 170 pounds and No. 4 Ben Monroe at 145 each won their first-round matches on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. Teammates Jackson Bresson at 120 and Jackson … [Read more...] about Neils pins his way into 3A quarterfinals, while Monroe escapes with win
Jaguars roll past Fort Dodge, become first 20-win team in school history
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team achieved another milestone on Tuesday. The top-ranked Jaguars became the winningest team in school history with an 83-51 victory at Fort Dodge. They extended their winning streak to 14 games while raising their record to 20-1. It's the program's first 20-win season under coach Bob Fontana. His previous best … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Fort Dodge, become first 20-win team in school history
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cael Hron, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Cael Hron is a member of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Hron helped the Jaguars to a 17-5 dual record this season. "Cael bounced around between 113 and 120 pounds for us," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "He won some matches on varsity and dominated on JV. He's a great kid." Hron, a sophomore, will likely be a contender for a varsity … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cael Hron, Ankeny Centennial wrestling
Centennial’s Burns, Ankeny’s Pitz named to Class 5A West all-district team
Senior guards Meg Burns of Ankeny Centennial and Kayla Pitz of Ankeny have both been named to the Class 5A West all-district girls' basketball team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Burns has led the 12th-ranked Jaguars to a 12-9 record. She is averaging a team-high 12.0 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from 3-point range … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Burns, Ankeny’s Pitz named to Class 5A West all-district team
Ankeny boys’ bowling team qualifies for state for first time since 2015
For the third time ever, the Ankeny boys' bowling team is headed to the state tournament. The Hawks placed second in a Class 3A district meet on Tuesday at Wayward Social in Marshalltown. They posted a season-best score of 3,130, but had to wait for other district results to find out that they were one of three at-large qualifiers for the state … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ bowling team qualifies for state for first time since 2015
A look at first-round matchups and beyond at state wrestling tournament
The brackets for the state wrestling tournament were released on Sunday by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Two Ankeny wrestlers and one from Ankeny Centennial enter the tournament as No. 1 seeds. The Jaguars placed fourth in last year's Class 3A tournament, their highest finish ever under coach Jay Groth. The Hawks took 11th, their highest … [Read more...] about A look at first-round matchups and beyond at state wrestling tournament
Ankeny swimmers rack up 236 points, but settle for runner-up trophy
Trent Frandson and the other members of the Ankeny boys' swimming team watched the top-ranked Iowa City West swimmers celebrate a state championship on Saturday by jumping into the pool at the University of Iowa Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. The No. 3 Hawks were hoping to win a second consecutive title, but instead settled for the runner-up … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers rack up 236 points, but settle for runner-up trophy
Hawkette bowlers place 2nd, Hawks finish 3rd at Central Conference meet
The Ankeny girls' bowling team placed three bowlers among the top five finishers and took second overall in the CIML Central Conference meet on Friday at Great Escape. The Ankeny boys' squad, meanwhile, finished third in the four-team field. "Both teams bowled amazing in tough conditions," said Ankeny coach Lane Richtsmeier. Urbandale won the girls' … [Read more...] about Hawkette bowlers place 2nd, Hawks finish 3rd at Central Conference meet
Jaguars advance 5 wrestlers to state, but suffer some ‘heartbreaking’ losses
Although the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team qualified five wrestlers for next week's state tournament, the Jaguars came up just short of advancing a few more. A trio of Jaguars lost wrestle-back matches for second place in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Des Moines East, preventing them from earning a trip to Wells Fargo Arena. "It was … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance 5 wrestlers to state, but suffer some ‘heartbreaking’ losses
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Trent Frandson, Ankeny junior
‘I’m happy for our seniors’: Jaguars cut down nets after beating Urbandale
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team had to wait a week to cut down the nets. The top-ranked Jaguars clinched the outright CIML Central Conference title on Feb. 7 with a 50-48 victory at Ankeny, so they waited until after Friday's 62-48 win over visiting Urbandale to bring down the nets in the Centennial gym. Each of the players and coaches … [Read more...] about ‘I’m happy for our seniors’: Jaguars cut down nets after beating Urbandale
Jaguars avenge loss to No. 9 Urbandale, tie J-Hawks for 3rd place in conference
The formula for success for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team isn't complicated. The 12th-ranked Jaguars simply try to overwhelm their opponents with a stifling defense. No. 9 Urbandale was the latest victim on Friday. Centennial held the visiting J-Hawks to just 14 points over the last three quarters and rolled to a 51-30 victory in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars avenge loss to No. 9 Urbandale, tie J-Hawks for 3rd place in conference
Centennial boys finish 9-1 in league; Dowling, Johnston girls tie for crown
While the CIML Central Conference boys' basketball title had already been decided last week, the girls' crown came down to the final night of the regular season. Third-ranked Johnston clinched a share of the league title with a 76-38 victory on Friday at Ankeny. Kendall Nead had 24 points and five assists as the Dragons improved to 19-2 on the … [Read more...] about Centennial boys finish 9-1 in league; Dowling, Johnston girls tie for crown
Jaguars, Hawks earn No. 1 seeds in boys’ Class 4A substate pairings
Top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and crosstown rival Ankeny have both received No. 1 seeds from the Iowa High School Athletic Association, which announced its postseason basketball pairings for Class 4A on Friday. The Jaguars (18-1) earned a first-round bye in Substate 6. They will host Des Moines Roosevelt (6-11) or Southeast Polk (11-7) in a substate … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks earn No. 1 seeds in boys’ Class 4A substate pairings
Hawk swimmers look to defend title, but Iowa City West owns sizable advantage
When the Ankeny boys' swimming team won its first state title a year ago, the Hawks racked up 226 points, 16 more than runner-up Waukee. Third-ranked Ankeny may have to surpass that total by a considerable margin on Saturday in order to defend its crown. No. 1 Iowa City West is a clear favorite to capture the title in its backyard. The state meet will … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers look to defend title, but Iowa City West owns sizable advantage