Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

‘We left it out there’: Jaguars’ rally falls short in 56-52 loss at No. 2 Dowling

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Don't be surprised if the two CIML Conference rivals who met on Tuesday at Dowling Catholic collide again in March at the girls' state basketball tournament. The second-ranked Maroons and No. 5 Ankeny Centennial both look primed to make deep postseason runs. "They're No. 2 for a reason, that's for sure," Centennial coach Scott DeJong said following his … [Read more...] about ‘We left it out there’: Jaguars’ rally falls short in 56-52 loss at No. 2 Dowling

Centennial offensive lineman Humphrey commits to play for UW-Platteville

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Ankeny Centennial offensive lineman Gavin Humphrey has verbally committed to play football next year at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, an NCAA Division III school. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Humphrey announced his decision on social media over the weekend. "I’m blessed to announce that I will be committing to UW-Platteville to pursue my academic … [Read more...] about Centennial offensive lineman Humphrey commits to play for UW-Platteville

Vandermark, Dhabolt capture titles while Jaguars claim team crown at Young Invite

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After nearly winning the tournament a year ago, the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers dominated the Keith Young Invitational on Saturday at Cedar Falls. The Jaguars advanced five wrestlers to the finals, crowned two individual champions, and cruised to the team title with 189.5 points. North Scott was a distant second in the 15-team field with 169. "I … [Read more...] about Vandermark, Dhabolt capture titles while Jaguars claim team crown at Young Invite

‘We had a great couple of days’: Ankeny girls earn 3rd-place finish at Donnybrook

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The Dan Gable Donnybrook proved to be a valuable experience for the Ankeny girls' wrestling team. Third-ranked Ankeny placed third among 44 teams in the tournament on Thursday and Friday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, finishing with 277 points. Coach Dustin Roland's team had six top-10 finishers. "We had a great couple of days competing with some … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great couple of days’: Ankeny girls earn 3rd-place finish at Donnybrook

‘I just think we executed better’: Aguirre, Hawks rally past Centennial in 2nd half

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team didn't panic when it fell behind at halftime, 28-23, against its visiting archrival on Friday. The Hawks knew there was still plenty of time to make a comeback. Rio Aguirre scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half and Ankeny dominated the final 16 minutes of the game to post a 58-48 victory over Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘I just think we executed better’: Aguirre, Hawks rally past Centennial in 2nd half

‘I thought we showed some maturity’: Jaguars hand Ankeny girls their first loss

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It wasn't difficult for Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong to get the attention of his players following Tuesday's overtime loss to Waukee Northwest. The fifth-ranked Jaguars responded on Friday with a 44-33 victory at No. 7 Ankeny in a CIML Conference matchup. It was Centennial's third straight win in the series after dropping two of … [Read more...] about ‘I thought we showed some maturity’: Jaguars hand Ankeny girls their first loss

‘We knew this would be a challenge’: Hawk swimmers fall at Waukee by 1 point

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Thursday's CIML Conference dual meet at the Waukee Natatorium came down to the final event. In the end, Waukee won the 400 freestyle relay and also got a third-place finish from its "B" unit to edge visiting Ankeny, 85.5-84.5, in the boys' swimming matchup. "It was tough to lose this meet that way as we were ahead the entire way up until the final … [Read more...] about ‘We knew this would be a challenge’: Hawk swimmers fall at Waukee by 1 point

‘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