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Jaguars

CANCELLED: COVID-19 wipes out spring high school activities

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The Ankeny girls' soccer team won't have a chance to defend its Class 3A state title. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced on Friday that all schools will remain closed through the end of the school year due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus. All spring high school activities have now been cancelled. "I'm just setting up meetings now with the kids … [Read more...] about CANCELLED: COVID-19 wipes out spring high school activities

Ankeny swimming star Frandson ranked No. 14 nationally in Class of 2021

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Ankeny junior Trent Frandson is ranked among the top 20 high school swimming prospects nationally in the Class of 2021, according to the latest rankings by SwimSwam.com. Frandson, who has verbally committed to California, is ranked 14th overall. He was previously ranked 13th in the same class a year ago. Frandson is a four-time Iowa state champion. He … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimming star Frandson ranked No. 14 nationally in Class of 2021

Ex-Jaguars Havens, Suedmeier adjusting after COVID-19 ends their track season

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Tyler Havens had some goals that he wanted to accomplish at the American Rivers Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. One of his former Ankeny Centennial teammates, Cory Suedmeier, was also looking forward to next month's meet at the University of Dubuque. Neither of them, however, will get a chance to realize their dreams. Not in 2020 … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguars Havens, Suedmeier adjusting after COVID-19 ends their track season

Centennial’s Witt to play rugby at Iowa Central Community College

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Michael Witt's senior rugby season at Ankeny Centennial was wiped out due to the coronavirus. Fortunately for Witt, he still has a future in the sport. Witt announced his commitment on Monday to play rugby at Iowa Central Community College, the reigning DIAA national champion. "I have played rugby since my sophomore year," said Witt. "The thought of … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Witt to play rugby at Iowa Central Community College

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carlie Jensen, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer

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Senior midfielder Carlie Jensen is one of the top returning players for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. She helped the Jaguars to a 16-4 record last year and was named to the all-tournament team after the Jaguars reached the Class 3A semifinals. Jensen led the team with 10 goals and eight assists. She was selected to the Class 3A all-state … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carlie Jensen, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer

Centennial linebacker Vaughan to play football at Central College

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The football pipeline from Ankeny to Pella will continue for awhile longer. Ankeny Centennial linebacker Desmond Vaughan has committed to play for Central College in the fall. He revealed his decision on Friday via Twitter. "Excited to announce my commitment to play football at Central College!@CUI_Football," Vaughan tweeted. Vaughan will become the … [Read more...] about Centennial linebacker Vaughan to play football at Central College

Ankeny, Dowling share No. 1 spot in Gazette’s offseason football rankings

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The expectations for the Ankeny football team in the 2020 season were already going to be high. Now, they might be going through the roof. Ankeny has earned a co-No. 1 ranking along with seven-time defending state champion Dowling Catholic in Class 4A in the Cedar Rapids Gazette's offseason rankings. Both teams scored 54 poll points from a panel of six … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Dowling share No. 1 spot in Gazette’s offseason football rankings

Updated schedule provides glimmer of hope for spring sport athletes, coaches

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A glimmer of hope arrived earlier this week for Will Blevins, Jaci Webb and the rest of the spring sport athletes throughout the state of Iowa. On Monday, an updated schedule for spring sports was released in a joint statement from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association. All spring activities had … [Read more...] about Updated schedule provides glimmer of hope for spring sport athletes, coaches

Centennial soccer player Hall decides to join women’s rowing team at Iowa

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Jaecee Hall wasn't ready to give up her athletic career. An opportunity to join the University of Iowa women's rowing team was just what she needed. The Ankeny Centennial soccer player committed on Monday to become a member of the Hawkeyes' program in the fall. "I'm a super competitive person, and I didn't want to stop playing sports," said Hall. "I … [Read more...] about Centennial soccer player Hall decides to join women’s rowing team at Iowa

Centennial’s Vincent to play soccer, study architecture at Drury University

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Ankeny Centennial senior Cole Vincent didn't think he'd be able to play soccer at the collegiate level. He was wrong. Vincent has committed to play for Drury University, an NCAA Division II school located in Springfield, Mo. "Growing up I've always wanted to pursue a career as an architect," said Vincent. "This made playing college soccer difficult … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Vincent to play soccer, study architecture at Drury University

Bayless, McCullough named to Register’s Class 4A all-state first team

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Ankeny's Braxton Bayless and Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough racked up some more postseason honors on Friday. The two boys' basketball standouts were both named to the Class 4A all-state first team by The Des Moines Register. The duo was previously selected to the Class 4A first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Bayless, a senior … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough named to Register’s Class 4A all-state first team

Scherle to follow in great-grandfather’s footsteps, will play for Wartburg College

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Growing up as a multi-sport athlete, Nick Scherle heard a lot of stories about Wartburg College. Now, he'll get a chance to make his own memories at the private Lutheran liberal arts college in Waverly. Scherle, whose great-grandfather was an all-conference defensive lineman for Wartburg, has committed to play football for the Knights. "I originally … [Read more...] about Scherle to follow in great-grandfather’s footsteps, will play for Wartburg College

Ankeny, Centennial to face grueling football schedules in 2020

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The 2020 regular season schedules for all Iowa high school football teams have been released by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. District and group assignments were posted in February, following Board of Control approval. This arrangement is in place for just one year, as opposed to the usual two-year football cycle. Class 4A has also … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial to face grueling football schedules in 2020

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Katie Petersen, Centennial girls’ track

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Ankeny Centennial senior Katie Petersen is one of the state's top returning hurdlers. She placed fourth in the 100 hurdles at last year's Class 4A state meet in a time of 14.77 seconds. Petersen also ran on the fourth-place shuttle hurdle relay, the fifth-place sprint medley relay that set a school record and the sixth-place distance medley relay. The … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Katie Petersen, Centennial girls’ track

‘The great ones adapt’: Spring sports athletes, coaches dealing with COVID-19

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Ashley Harrington found out during her spring break trip to the Dominican Republic that her final soccer season at Ankeny High School could be in jeopardy. "I didn't truly realize this pandemic could affect the season until I got an email from (coach) Simon (Brown) regarding the IGHSAU restrictions," Harrington said. "I'm not currently in the U.S. so I … [Read more...] about ‘The great ones adapt’: Spring sports athletes, coaches dealing with COVID-19

Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

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Four of the state's top 24 boys' basketball players in Class 4A played for either state champion Ankeny or CIML Central Conference champ Ankeny Centennial, according to the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Senior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny and senior forward Cody McCullough of Centennial were both selected to the Class 4A all-state first team … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaron Crews, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Jaron Crews helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 24-3 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. He was a unanimous pick to the CIML Central Conference first team. Crews averaged 13.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He led the Jaguars with 51 3-point goals and 115 assists. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaron Crews, Centennial boys’ basketball

Centennial trio, Ankeny’s Bayless named to Central Conference first team

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team dominated the CIML Central Conference during the regular season. That probably explains why the Jaguars dominated the all-conference teams that were voted on by the league's coaches. Senior forwards Cody McCullough and Micah Johnson as well as junior guard Jaron Crews were all unanimous picks to the first … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny’s Bayless named to Central Conference first team

‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

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Bob Fontana got a little choked up following Friday's Class 4A consolation game at the boys' state basketball tournament. He knew he had coached the seniors on his Ankeny Centennial squad for the last time. "It's real tough with these guys because they've been so good," Fontana said following the Jaguars' 65-58 loss to Cedar Falls at Wells Fargo Arena. … [Read more...] about ‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss