An opportunity to keep running on the blue oval was one that Dylan DeAngelo couldn't pass up. The Ankeny Centennial senior verbally committed earlier this week to continue his track career at Drake University. The standout hurdler picked the Bulldogs over the University of Missouri-Kansas City. "It was a very tough decision," said DeAngelo. "I really … [Read more...] about ‘I like how it’s close to home’: DeAngelo to continue track career at Drake
Jaguars
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny wrestling team
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is dedicated to longtime Des Moines Register wrestling reporter Dan McCool, who died on Monday at the age of 60. Dan was a legend in the wrestling community and will be sorely missed. I was working for the Register as a correspondent in the 80s and one of the first big events that I was asked to cover was to help out Dan with state … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny wrestling team
Ankeny’s Reynolds, Centennial’s Hron to play soccer at Simpson College
Two more Ankeny-area soccer players have decided to spend the next four years in Indianola. Ankeny senior Ben Reynolds has committed to play for Simpson College. He joins his teammate Colby Cheney, who previously committed to the Storm. "The fact that I already knew Colby was going to Simpson helped me in knowing that I would be going along with a … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Reynolds, Centennial’s Hron to play soccer at Simpson College
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Grace Nemmers, Centennial girls’ tennis
Senior Grace Nemmers was one of the top returning players on the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team, which had its season cancelled last month due to the coronavirus. Nemmers helped the Jaguars to an 8-5 record in 2019. She posted a 6-6 mark at the No. 5 singles position and went 5-4 in doubles. Here is some inside info on Nemmers: You've had a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Grace Nemmers, Centennial girls’ tennis
Centennial’s Sease: ‘Choosing Wartburg was an easy decision for me’
Ankeny Centennial's Lauren Sease didn't need another season of golf to figure out where she wanted to play in college. She had already made up her mind. Sease, who verbally committed to Wartburg College last fall, is still convinced that she made the right choice. "Choosing Wartburg was an easy decision for me," Sease said. "I only visited one … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Sease: ‘Choosing Wartburg was an easy decision for me’
First-year coaches Varnum, Espinosa deal with devastation of lost season
Perhaps nobody was more excited to coach his team this spring than Ankeny boys' soccer coach Marcus Varnum. Unless it was Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Armando Espinosa. Both Espinosa and Varnum were first-year head coaches who had their debut seasons wiped out by the coronavirus. Espinosa, the head tennis professional at Ames Fitness Center, … [Read more...] about First-year coaches Varnum, Espinosa deal with devastation of lost season
Jaguars’ Pieper earns National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award
Ankeny Centennial defensive lineman Lucas Pieper has been named a winner of the National Football Foundation's Iowa Chapter Scholar Athlete Award for 2020. This award recognizes high school football players who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities. Pieper helped the Jaguars to an 8-2 record … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ Pieper earns National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award
Centennial guard Kelling chooses Grand View over Midland, Morningside
Ankeny Centennial's Preston Kelling is taking his highlight-reel dunks to the east side of Des Moines. The senior guard has verbally committed to play basketball at Grand View University. He picked the Vikings over Midland University and Morningside. "It was definitely a hard decision," said Kelling. "But after a couple days of thinking (it over) and … [Read more...] about Centennial guard Kelling chooses Grand View over Midland, Morningside
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Avery Gates, Ankeny Centennial senior
Senior Avery Gates was expected to be one of the top sprinters for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. He helped the Jaguars to a 16th-place finish in last year's Class 4A state meet. Gates placed 13th in the 200 with a time of 22.60 seconds. He also ran on the third-place 4x400, fourth-place sprint medley and sixth-place 4x200 relays. Here is some … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Avery Gates, Ankeny Centennial senior
‘Some things we can’t control’: Athletes, coaches react to cancellation of sports
Katie Petersen got together with some of her Ankeny Centennial teammates on Thursday night to continue preparing for what she thought would be her final high school track season. "I was just at the track with a few friends, and we were talking about our new meet schedules and who was going to be on our shuttle (hurdle relay)," said Petersen, one of the … [Read more...] about ‘Some things we can’t control’: Athletes, coaches react to cancellation of sports
CANCELLED: COVID-19 wipes out spring high school activities
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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