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
Jaguars
Valley matmen edge Centennial on criteria decision, advance to state duals
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers were hoping to contend for both the Class 3A traditional and dual tournament titles. Now, the Jaguars can focus exclusively on next week's individual state tournament. Fifth-ranked Centennial ended its dual season on Wednesday with a 29-28 loss to No. 11 Valley in a regional dual at Centennial. The Tigers won the meet on … [Read more...] about Valley matmen edge Centennial on criteria decision, advance to state duals
Girls’ pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes draw tough roads to state
The Class 5A regional basketball pairings have been released by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Both Ankeny and 12th-ranked Ankeny Centennial might have to defeat a top-five opponent in order to qualify for the state tournament. The Jaguars (11-9) have been placed in Region 6. They will host Indianola (13-6) or Des Moines East (5-15) in a … [Read more...] about Girls’ pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes draw tough roads to state
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 82
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Assistant coach Nate Tobey and senior guard Jaxon Smith of the Ankeny boys' basketball team stopped by to recap Friday's Jag-Hawk showdown with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also interviewed head coach Bob Fontana, senior forward Micah … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 82
Centennial boys enjoy record-setting night in victory over Mohawks
After rising to the No. 1 spot in the latest Class 4A rankings by the Associated Press, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team extended its winning streak to 12 games with a 97-61 non-conference victory at Mason City on Tuesday. The Jaguars tied the school record for most points in a game. They also scored 97 in a win at Des Moines East three years … [Read more...] about Centennial boys enjoy record-setting night in victory over Mohawks
FEEL THE BURNS: Senior guard leads Jaguars past Deets, Mason City
Ankeny Centennial's Meg Burns proved again on Tuesday that she's one of the state's best two-way players on the basketball court. The senior guard poured in 22 points while holding Mason City standout Anna Deets to just seven as the visiting Jaguars rolled to a 63-39 victory in a non-conference game. "It was a big night for her," Centennial coach Scott … [Read more...] about FEEL THE BURNS: Senior guard leads Jaguars past Deets, Mason City
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lizzie Strom, Centennial girls’ basketball
Junior forward Lizzie Strom has helped the 12th-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to an 11-9 record. The Jaguars posted a 63-39 victory on Tuesday at Mason City, the No. 13 team in Class 4A. Strom is averaging 3.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. She scored a career-high 11 points in the Jaguars' 62-57 overtime loss to No. 3 Johnston on … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lizzie Strom, Centennial girls’ basketball
Centennial boys now ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by Associated Press
There's a new No. 1 boys' basketball team in Class 4A. And it's Ankeny Centennial. The Jaguars moved into the top spot of the Associated Press rankings following Iowa City West's 41-38 loss to Cedar Falls on Saturday. It was the second loss of the season for the Trojans (15-2), who fell to fourth in this week's rankings. Centennial (17-1) is riding … [Read more...] about Centennial boys now ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by Associated Press
Hawk bowlers surpass 3,000-pin mark in victory over Fort Dodge
All season long, the Ankeny boys' bowling team has been inching closer to the 3,000-pin mark. On Monday, the Hawks finally surpassed it. Ankeny bowled a season-high score to defeat visiting Fort Dodge in a non-conference dual meet at Great Escape. The Hawks won by a score of 3,069 to 2,909. "We've been chasing that number all year, and we all were … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers surpass 3,000-pin mark in victory over Fort Dodge
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Weston Miner, Ankeny boys’ swimming
Junior Weston Miner helped the Ankeny boys' swimming team to its third straight district title on Saturday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. He placed second in both the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke. Miner and the Hawks will try to win a second consecutive state championship on Saturday in Iowa City. He placed eighth in the backstroke and also swam … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Weston Miner, Ankeny boys’ swimming
Hawk swimmers claim district title, but fail to qualify for state in some events
Although the second-ranked Ankeny boys' swimming team easily captured a district title on Saturday at Trail Point Aquatics Center, the Hawks' dominance wasn't necessarily a good thing. The defending state champions were competing in a field that included only one other top-20 squad--No. 16 Des Moines Roosevelt. The lack of competition proved costly at … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers claim district title, but fail to qualify for state in some events
No. 2 Jaguars hold off Ankeny, capture first conference crown since 2015
Braxton Bayless wouldn't hesitate to pass the ball to Jaxon Smith again. Smith missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds of Friday's Jag-Hawk rematch at Ankeny, allowing the second-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to escape with a 50-48 victory. "I'll give it to him 100 percent of the time if he's wide open like … [Read more...] about No. 2 Jaguars hold off Ankeny, capture first conference crown since 2015
‘It’s always been a slugfest’: Centennial tops Hawkettes in defensive battle
The Ankeny girls' basketball team turned in a spectacular defensive effort on Friday. It wasn't enough to knock off archrival Ankeny Centennial. The 12th-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the fourth quarter to post a 43-27 victory at Ankeny. They closed out the game with a 16-2 run. "This is the way it's been down here for the last seven years. It's … [Read more...] about ‘It’s always been a slugfest’: Centennial tops Hawkettes in defensive battle
‘It’s a really great feeling’: Jaguars edge Ankeny to clinch conference title
Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough wasn't happy when he missed a free throw with 9 seconds left in Friday's game at Ankeny. The miss allowed the Hawks to have an opportunity to win the game on the final possession. Braxton Bayless fired a pass to Jaxon Smith in the left corner, but Smith's 3-point try bounced off the rim in the final seconds. … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a really great feeling’: Jaguars edge Ankeny to clinch conference title
VIDEO: Centennial teams sweep season series against Ankeny
Jaguars close out regular season with victories over Indianola, Valley
Thursday's triangular meet at Valley provided an opportunity for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to see a couple of their potential upcoming opponents. The Jaguars took advantage of the meet to earn a pair of victories. Centennial, the No. 6 team in the Class 3A dual rankings by The Predicament, opened the night with a 34-31 victory over No. 12 … [Read more...] about Jaguars close out regular season with victories over Indianola, Valley
Jag-Hawk II: Boys to play for league crown; Girls’ game more about pride
A lot will be at stake on Friday when the two Ankeny boys' basketball teams meet for the second time in less than three weeks. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial heads across town for a rematch against the Hawks, who will be looking to avenge a 69-61 loss at Centennial on Jan. 20. The Jaguars (7-1, 16-1) can clinch the outright CIML Central Conference title … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk II: Boys to play for league crown; Girls’ game more about pride
Coaches vs. Cancer event raises more than $3,000 for American Cancer Society
More than $3,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society in the Coaches vs. Cancer event on Tuesday at Ankeny Centennial. Ankeny Fanatic, HyVee and Wee's Tees were sponsors of the event. Jason Loutsch, owner of Ankeny Fanatic, donated the funds for the commemorative boys' basketball uniforms, which were auctioned off to raise money for the … [Read more...] about Coaches vs. Cancer event raises more than $3,000 for American Cancer Society
Centennial’s Burnett to play softball at Central College
Ankeny Centennial shortstop Franie Burnett has committed to play softball for Central College. Burnett, a senior, picked the Dutch over Millikin University in Decatur, Ill. "It was a hard decision," she said. "I was picking between two very good schools and programs." In the end, though, Burnett elected to stay closer to home. She revealed her … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Burnett to play softball at Central College
IHSAA introduces success model for Class 4A football in 2020
The Iowa High School Athletic Association has announced some changes for the upcoming football season, including a success model that will result in Class 4A being trimmed from 42 schools down to 40. The state is hoping to provide better competitive balance among Iowa's largest schools. Des Moines Hoover, Mason City and Burlington have dropped to Class 3A … [Read more...] about IHSAA introduces success model for Class 4A football in 2020