Ankeny Centennial junior Samara Peterson has been dealing with a back injury for most of the season. On Saturday, the pain finally became too much. Peterson was forced to withdraw from her final match in the Class 2A singles division of the girls' state tennis tournament at Iowa City. She finished in eighth place. "We’re incredibly proud of her for … [Read more...] about ‘We’re incredibly proud of her’: Peterson earns 8th-place finish at state tourney
Jaguars
Jaguars toss back-to-back no-hitters in doubleheader sweep over Lincoln girls
Kori Lincicum started two of the first three games in the pitcher's circle for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Friday's non-conference doubleheader against visiting Des Moines Lincoln showed that the second-ranked Jaguars have plenty of pitching depth behind Lincicum. Three other hurlers combined on a pair of no-hitters as Centennial swept the … [Read more...] about Jaguars toss back-to-back no-hitters in doubleheader sweep over Lincoln girls
ONE OF A KIND: Smith becomes city of Ankeny’s first-ever state tennis champion
The drought is over. Ankeny finally has a state tennis champion. Top-seeded Kira Smith posted a 6-1, 6-2 victory over No. 2 Sescie Haan of Clinton to capture the Class 2A singles title on Saturday afternoon at Iowa City. She rolled through the two-day tournament without losing a set. Ankeny Centennial's Samara Peterson, meanwhile, finished in eighth … [Read more...] about ONE OF A KIND: Smith becomes city of Ankeny’s first-ever state tennis champion
‘We just can’t take anything for granted’: Jaguars rout Roosevelt, advance to state
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There were two completely different vibes on the sideline after the first 40 minutes of play in Friday's Class 3A Region 3 girls' soccer championship game. The Ankeny Centennial players were dancing and clapping along with Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” blasting over the Ankeny Stadium speakers. The Des Moines Roosevelt … [Read more...] about ‘We just can’t take anything for granted’: Jaguars rout Roosevelt, advance to state
Smith tops Holland, will play Clinton’s Haan for Class 2A singles championship
Kira Smith is one win away from becoming the city of Ankeny's first-ever state tennis champion. The top-seeded Ankeny senior posted a 6-3, 6-3 victory over No. 4 Lily Holland of Cedar Rapids Jefferson in the semifinals of the Class 2A singles division at the girls' state tournament on Saturday morning at Iowa City. She will play for the title this … [Read more...] about Smith tops Holland, will play Clinton’s Haan for Class 2A singles championship
Smith cruises into Class 2A semifinals, while Peterson becomes placewinner
The potential matchup between Ankeny senior Kira Smith and Ankeny Centennial junior Samara Peterson never materialized on Friday in the Class 2A singles bracket, but both players advanced to the second day of the girls' state tournament at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City. The top-seeded Smith cruised into the semifinals with a pair … [Read more...] about Smith cruises into Class 2A semifinals, while Peterson becomes placewinner
Severs, Starr, Morris hurl Jaguars to doubleheader sweep at No. 2 Johnston
It's never easy to win on the road against the Johnston baseball team. Sweeping a doubleheader against the Dragons on their home turf is almost impossible. But that's exactly what Ankeny Centennial did on Thursday, posting back-to-back wins of 6-1 and 6-3 against the most dominant program in Class 4A over the last decade. "Our guys played very … [Read more...] about Severs, Starr, Morris hurl Jaguars to doubleheader sweep at No. 2 Johnston
‘The girls rebounded well’: Centennial sweeps doubleheader at No. 10 Johnston
The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team bounced back from a season-opening loss to sweep a doubleheader on Thursday at No. 10 Johnston. The Jaguars posted a 3-2 victory in the opener, then rolled to a 9-0 win in five innings in the nightcap. They are now 2-1 in the CIML Conference and overall, while Johnston's records dropped to 1-2 and … [Read more...] about ‘The girls rebounded well’: Centennial sweeps doubleheader at No. 10 Johnston
‘They were out for vengeance’: No. 6 Ames boys avenge loss, end Jaguars’ season
The Ames boys' soccer team that showed up for Thursday's Class 4A substate final was the same squad that lost to Ankeny Centennial 24 days ago on its home pitch. The sixth-ranked Little Cyclones just played with a lot more energy in the rematch. Ames avenged a 4-2 loss on May 5 by defeating No. 9 Centennial, 2-1, with a trip to the state tournament on … [Read more...] about ‘They were out for vengeance’: No. 6 Ames boys avenge loss, end Jaguars’ season
‘It just didn’t work out tonight’: Jaguars open season with 4-3 loss at Waukee
While the Waukee softball team opened its season on Tuesday with a doubleheader sweep over Des Moines Lincoln, Ankeny Centennial wasn't as fortunate. The Jaguars were hoping to tune up for their CIML Conference opener at Waukee with a game at Norwalk, but Tuesday's non-conference contest was postponed due to rain. Without a game under its belt, … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t work out tonight’: Jaguars open season with 4-3 loss at Waukee
Jaguars’ late rally falls short as No. 4 Waukee holds on to remain unbeaten
A late rally by the Ankeny Centennial baseball team came up short in a 6-3 loss at fourth-ranked Waukee on Wednesday. Trailing 5-0, the Jaguars rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth inning and then had the tying runs in scoring position with one out, but Waukee pitcher Grant Sorensen worked his way out of the jam to preserve the win in the CIML … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ late rally falls short as No. 4 Waukee holds on to remain unbeaten
Jaguars cruise past depleted Urbandale squad, will host Roosevelt in regional final
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team took advantage of a depleted opponent on Wednesday to move one victory away from another trip to the Class 3A state tournament. The third-ranked Jaguars scored a season-high nine goals and rolled to a 9-0 victory over Urbandale in a Class 3A regional semifinal at Ankeny Stadium. The J-Hawks had not allowed more … [Read more...] about Jaguars cruise past depleted Urbandale squad, will host Roosevelt in regional final
Goals by Mujakovic, Byauunda lift Jaguars to substate victory over Marshalltown
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) In a game where the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team found chance after chance to put the ball in the back of the net, it felt like it was just a matter of time until one went its way. Goals by junior Alen Mujakovic and senior Kai Byauunda in the second half finally powered the ninth-ranked Jaguars to a 2-0 victory over … [Read more...] about Goals by Mujakovic, Byauunda lift Jaguars to substate victory over Marshalltown
Petersen to resign as Centennial girls’ golf coach; Smith exits from AHS girls’ tennis
John Petersen and Steve Smith were both hired for head coaching positions in the Ankeny school district in the spring of 2019. Now, several years later, they are both departing at the same time. Petersen is planning to resign as the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf coach. He has yet to officially submit his resignation letter, but has told his golfers of … [Read more...] about Petersen to resign as Centennial girls’ golf coach; Smith exits from AHS girls’ tennis
Centennial is No. 2, Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A in first softball rankings of season
The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union released its first softball rankings of the season on Tuesday. Ankeny Centennial is No. 2 in Class 5A behind CIML Conference rival Waukee Northwest. The Jaguars will open their season on Tuesday night with a non-conference game at Norwalk, the No. 7 team in Class 4A. Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Centennial is No. 2, Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A in first softball rankings of season
‘I really like this team’: Jaguars knock off No. 9 C.R. Kennedy behind Morris, Arndt
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team split a pair of games on Saturday in Cedar Rapids. The Jaguars bounced back from a 5-3 loss to Bettendorf with a 3-1 victory over ninth-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy. "I really like this team," said Centennial coach Mark Hey, whose squad is now 2-1 on the season. "They grind every day whether it's a game or … [Read more...] about ‘I really like this team’: Jaguars knock off No. 9 C.R. Kennedy behind Morris, Arndt
‘This is what you work for all year’: Jackson wins 200, anchors Jaguars’ winning 4×100
The Ankeny boys' track team stole most of the headlines on Saturday in the Class 4A state meet. But Braeden Jackson and the Ankeny Centennial sprinters made plenty of noise, too. Jackson won a state title in the 200, anchored his team to another victory in the 4x100 relay, and led Centennial to a fourth-place finish in the team standings. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘This is what you work for all year’: Jackson wins 200, anchors Jaguars’ winning 4×100
‘We could not be more proud’: Coaches praise efforts by Hawkettes, Jaguars
Senior Drew Beason and her Ankeny teammates left it all out on the track Saturday. Their crosstown rivals from Ankeny Centennial did the same. Both the Hawkettes and Jaguars walked away from the girls' Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium feeling good about what they accomplished. "We could not be more proud of this team and how they performed," … [Read more...] about ‘We could not be more proud’: Coaches praise efforts by Hawkettes, Jaguars
Loaded Centennial squad embraces team-first mentality heading into season
Scoring runs likely won't be a problem this season for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. The Jaguars will again boast two of the state's top hitters in Jordyn Kennedy and Mady Ott. They led the team to a 29-10 record and a share of the CIML Conference title a year ago after playing key roles on Centennial's state championship squad in 2023. Those … [Read more...] about Loaded Centennial squad embraces team-first mentality heading into season
Jaguars defend state title in 4×200 relay, break all-time mark in 4×100 preliminaries
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Noah Ross, Robert McGhee, Caleb Reed and Braeden Jackson got their all-time state record, but just not the one they were on the hunt for. The Ankeny Centennial quartet was on the cusp of setting the all-time record in the 4x200 relay after becoming the second team in Iowa high school history to run a time that was sub-1:26 … [Read more...] about Jaguars defend state title in 4×200 relay, break all-time mark in 4×100 preliminaries