Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

‘That was huge’: Smith’s fall helps Jaguars open season with 40-39 win over Wolves

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With a 34-28 lead through the first 11 matches on Thursday, the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers were in position to knock off fifth-ranked Waukee Northwest in their season opener. However, the visiting Wolves had a trio of ranked wrestlers lined up for the final three matches, meaning that Centennial needed to pull off an upset in order to win the CIML … [Read more...] about ‘That was huge’: Smith’s fall helps Jaguars open season with 40-39 win over Wolves

Ski-U-Mah!: Centennial softball star Kennedy commits to play for Minnesota

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Ankeny Centennial softball star Jordyn Kennedy is headed to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The junior announced on Thursday that she has verbally committed to play for Minnesota, beginning in the fall of 2026. She becomes the second player in Centennial history to commit to the Gophers, following in the footsteps of Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union … [Read more...] about Ski-U-Mah!: Centennial softball star Kennedy commits to play for Minnesota

‘It was definitely a little bit weird’: Baldwin, Hawkettes defeat Valley for 4-0 start

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For junior forward Reagan Baldwin, it felt a little weird being the opposition rather than the home team inside the Valley High School gym. Baldwin, who transferred to Ankeny from Valley after her sophomore season, stepped foot back in her old stomping grounds on Tuesday and played a key role in helping the eighth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘It was definitely a little bit weird’: Baldwin, Hawkettes defeat Valley for 4-0 start

‘They’re a very talented team’: Wolves cruise past Centennial boys in opener

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The Waukee Northwest boys' basketball team is as good as advertised. The Wolves, bolstered by the addition of multiple transfers in the offseason, jumped out to a 15-4 lead in the first quarter and cruised to a 60-38 victory at CIML Conference rival Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday. It was the season opener for both squads. "They're a very talented team … [Read more...] about ‘They’re a very talented team’: Wolves cruise past Centennial boys in opener

‘I think it was very humbling’: Jags open CIML play with OT loss to Waukee NW

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Mya Crawford sat in the bleachers with an icepack on her foot following Tuesday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest. It was that kind of night for the senior guard and the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. Crawford scored 18 points, but her desperation heave at the buzzer bounced off the backboard and the third-ranked Jaguars dropped a … [Read more...] about ‘I think it was very humbling’: Jags open CIML play with OT loss to Waukee NW

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

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Senior Finn Stukerjurgen is a five-time state qualifier for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. He helped the Hawks to a third-place finish in the season-opening Sprint Invitational on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. Stukerjurgen placed fifth in the 100 individual medley with a time of 56.76 seconds and finished third in the 50 backstroke in 26.01. He … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Finn Stukerjurgen, Ankeny boys’ swimming

Jaguars shut down Pleasant Valley in opener, give DeJong his 700th career win

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The 700th career victory for Ankeny Centennial's Scott DeJong followed a familiar script. The legendary girls' basketball coach reached the milestone on Saturday when the third-ranked Jaguars opened their season by winning a defensive battle against No. 5 Pleasant Valley, 39-26, at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. "It was two good teams … [Read more...] about Jaguars shut down Pleasant Valley in opener, give DeJong his 700th career win

‘Our focus is to be tough’: Jaguars return 5 state qualifiers from 3A’s 4th-place team

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There are plenty of reasons for optimism in the Ankeny Centennial wrestling room. The Jaguars return five state qualifiers from one of the best teams in school history, including a pair of placewinners in Max Dhabolt and Cale Vandermark. The other returning qualifiers are Isaac Bruhl, Andrew Roland and Ethan Sodergren. "The practices are going … [Read more...] about ‘Our focus is to be tough’: Jaguars return 5 state qualifiers from 3A’s 4th-place team

Centennial boys’ team looks to overcome inexperienced roster, rash of injuries

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This was already going to be one of coach Bob Fontana's most inexperienced boys' basketball teams at Ankeny Centennial. Now, the Jaguars are dealing with a rash of injuries too. "We had four players injured during the fall either in an open gym or our fall league," said Fontana, who is beginning his 34th season as a head coach. "Usually, you have a … [Read more...] about Centennial boys’ team looks to overcome inexperienced roster, rash of injuries

‘We had a fun time!’: Ankeny swimmers edge Dowling for 3rd place at Sprint Invite

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It was a good opening test for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. The Hawks kicked off their season on Tuesday by hosting the Sprint Invitational at Trail Point Aquatics Center. They racked up 308 points to edge Dowling Catholic by a point for third place in the six-team event. Waukee Northwest won the meet with 407 points. Valley was second with … [Read more...] about ‘We had a fun time!’: Ankeny swimmers edge Dowling for 3rd place at Sprint Invite

Lincicum commits to play softball at Drake, will remain teammates with Ott

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About two weeks after her Ankeny Centennial teammate committed to play softball at Drake, junior Kori Lincicum has decided to follow in Mady Ott's footsteps. Lincicum announced on Wednesday that she has verbally committed to the Bulldogs as well. "I am very excited to be able to play with Mady because we already have a bond and will push each other to … [Read more...] about Lincicum commits to play softball at Drake, will remain teammates with Ott

‘We do have high expectations’: Ankeny bowlers begin 2nd season under Payton

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While the Ankeny girls' bowling team returns most of its varsity bowlers from last season, the boys' squad isn't as fortunate. The Hawkettes return four of the top six bowlers from a team that posted a 2-9 record, including a 1-5 mark in the CIML Conference. Seniors Savannah Dye and Kali Ogg are back along with juniors Brooklyn Dietz and Olivia … [Read more...] about ‘We do have high expectations’: Ankeny bowlers begin 2nd season under Payton

Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, led by 9-time placewinner Peterson

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Despite the graduation of standouts Owen Schwebach and Owen Evans, the Ankeny boys' swimming team still boasts a quartet of returning state qualifiers. Junior Bryer Pearson is back along with seniors Brock Peterson, Finn Stukerjurgen and Austin Troyer from a squad that placed ninth in last year's state meet with 113 points. "We have 34 guys out this … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, led by 9-time placewinner Peterson

Beroth named to Class 5A all-state first team by IFCA for 2nd consecutive year

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Ankeny football standout Lukis Beroth has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team for the second year in a row by the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Beroth, a senior, was the anchor of the Hawks' offensive line. He helped the team to a 6-5 record and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals. Beroth was joined on the first team by teammates Ryan … [Read more...] about Beroth named to Class 5A all-state first team by IFCA for 2nd consecutive year

Haag, Bratland capture titles, lead Ankeny girls’ squad to 3rd-place finish at Nevada

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Trudy Haag and Hayden Bratland each won an individual title to lead the Ankeny girls' wrestling team to a third-place finish among 33 squads in the Central Iowa Kickoff on Saturday at Nevada. Raccoon River Northwest captured the team crown with 295 points. Southeast Polk was second with 260.5 points, followed by Ankeny with 209.5. "Overall, we had a … [Read more...] about Haag, Bratland capture titles, lead Ankeny girls’ squad to 3rd-place finish at Nevada

‘I loved the coaches’: Centennial’s Reed to play baseball at Wartburg College

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Ankeny Centennial senior Jackson Reed has verbally committed to play baseball at Wartburg College. Reed, an outfielder, called it a tough decision. "I was thinking of maybe going juco and saving money, but I loved the coaches there and also their facilities," said Reed. Reed played in 31 games and started 28 times last season, helping the Jaguars to … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the coaches’: Centennial’s Reed to play baseball at Wartburg College

‘I am super excited for this opportunity’: Mohrhauser commits to run for Drake

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Ankeny Centennial distance runner Anika Mohrhauser has decided to stay close to home. The senior verbally committed this week to join the Drake women's track and cross country programs. "I am super excited for this opportunity to get a great education and be able to compete for my school!" said Mohrhauser. "The deciding process was very hard and took a … [Read more...] about ‘I am super excited for this opportunity’: Mohrhauser commits to run for Drake

Jaguars are No. 3, Ankeny No. 8 in Class 5A preseason girls’ basketball rankings

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Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are in the top 10 of the preseason girls' basketball rankings from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Centennial is ranked third in Class 5A behind two of its CIML Conference rivals. No. 1 Johnston defeated No. 2 Dowling Catholic, 48-36, in last year's Class 5A championship game. The Jaguars posted a 14-9 … [Read more...] about Jaguars are No. 3, Ankeny No. 8 in Class 5A preseason girls’ basketball rankings