Monday's Jag-Hawk rematch in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state volleyball tournament lived up to the pre-match hype. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial held off a furious rally by No. 7 Ankeny to post a 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 14-25, 15-12 victory at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. The Jaguars (31-6) will play No. 3 Waukee Northwest or No. 6 Cedar Falls … [Read more...] about ‘That was a tough match’: Jaguars outlast Ankeny to advance to Class 5A semifinals
Jaguars
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Trenton Smith, Centennial football
Senior quarterback Trenton Smith helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 35-7 victory at No. 4 Waukee Northwest in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs on Friday. He completed 11-of-14 passes for 116 yards and a 30-yard touchdown toss to Braeden Jackson on the team's opening possession. For the season, Smith has connected on 116-of-171 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Trenton Smith, Centennial football
State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
The state volleyball tournament gets under way on Monday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. We already know that at least one team from Ankeny will advance to the Class 5A semifinals on Wednesday. Ankeny will face Ankeny Centennial in one of the four quarterfinal matchups. The tournament kicks off at noon on Court One, where Dowling Catholic will meet … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
Zuber races to Class 4A individual crown, leads Hawks to repeat 3rd-place finish
Ethan Zuber made a promise to Ankeny boys' cross country coach Jon Lindaman a year ago that he would become a Class 4A state champion in 2023. The junior delivered on that promise Friday at the Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge.The second-ranked Zuber pulled away from No. 3 Jaden Merrick of Cedar Falls in the final mile to win the 5k race in a time of 15 … [Read more...] about Zuber races to Class 4A individual crown, leads Hawks to repeat 3rd-place finish
Hawkettes place 7th, Jaguars finish 9th in Class 4A; Beason, Mohrhauser lead way
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country teams have had some close battles all season. The two squads had another one on Friday in the Class 4A state meet at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. Eighth-ranked Ankeny placed seventh in the 15-team field for the second straight year, finishing with 186 points. No. 5 Centennial took ninth with … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 7th, Jaguars finish 9th in Class 4A; Beason, Mohrhauser lead way
‘Our kids rose to the occasion’: Jaguars dominate Waukee NW in playoff rematch
(Story by Rob Gray) From the first snap, Ankeny Centennial just looked different. The underdog Jaguars strode into Friday’s Class 5A playoff matchup at No. 4 Waukee Northwest with a spring in their step and a thirst for revenge in their roster-wide heart. “We’ve had the juice since Monday,” said Centennial running back Elijah Porter, who rushed for … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids rose to the occasion’: Jaguars dominate Waukee NW in playoff rematch
‘I always wanted to stay close to home’: Crawford commits to play for Bulldogs
Ankeny Centennial junior Mya Crawford has verbally committed to play for the Drake women's basketball program. The versatile wing player announced her decision via social media on Friday. "I would like to take the time to thank all of my teammates, friends, and family for being my biggest supporters," she tweeted. "Thank you to ALL of my coaches who … [Read more...] about ‘I always wanted to stay close to home’: Crawford commits to play for Bulldogs
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 237
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews the first round of the Class 5A football playoffs with senior receiver Devon Akers of Ankeny and senior tight end Chase Schutty of Ankeny Centennial. Coldwell Banker realtor Ronda Dix also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 237
‘We knew what we had to do’: Jaguars sweep C.B. Lincoln, advance to state
With a trip to the state tournament on the line, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball players didn't feel any pressure. The Jaguars simply knew what they had to do. Second-ranked Centennial rolled to a 25-17, 25-10, 25-15 victory over No. 15 Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. The Jaguars (30-6) advanced to the … [Read more...] about ‘We knew what we had to do’: Jaguars sweep C.B. Lincoln, advance to state
Ankeny swimmers edge Valley for 3rd place at CIML Conference meet
The Ankeny girls' swimming team is hoping to peak at the end of the season. Saturday's CIML Conference meet at Johnston, which featured five of the state's top six teams, was a good place to start. Fifth-ranked Ankeny placed third in the six-team field with 283.5 points. The Hawkettes edged No. 6 Valley by a half-point for third place. "We had a … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers edge Valley for 3rd place at CIML Conference meet
Rematch Friday: Hawks to host Johnston, while Jaguars travel to Waukee NW
The pairings are set for the Class 5A football playoffs. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial are slated to face familiar opponents. The seventh-ranked Hawks (6-3) will host No. 10 Johnston (5-4) on Friday at 7 p.m. It's a rematch of a game from Sept. 15 that Ankeny won, 16-10. The two teams also met in last year's playoffs. The Dragons posted a 23-13 … [Read more...] about Rematch Friday: Hawks to host Johnston, while Jaguars travel to Waukee NW
‘We executed on all levels’: Jaguars thump Urbandale, earn trip to playoffs
The Class 5A playoffs have already started for the Ankeny Centennial football team. In a do-or-die game between two opponents with identical 4-4 records, the 14th-ranked Jaguars punched their ticket to the postseason with a convincing 41-3 victory at No. 19 Urbandale on Friday. "It feels really good," said Centennial tight end Chase Schutty. "We needed … [Read more...] about ‘We executed on all levels’: Jaguars thump Urbandale, earn trip to playoffs
‘The energy is just crazy all around’: Jaguars sweep past Iowa City West
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team has been trying to find some additional offensive weapons to take the pressure off leading hitters Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt. The second-ranked Jaguars may have found some answers. Gabby Mixdorf had six kills and Ava Kronenberg added five more to help second-ranked Centennial to a 25-14, 25-15, 25-7 victory … [Read more...] about ‘The energy is just crazy all around’: Jaguars sweep past Iowa City West
‘I’m pretty speechless’: Dominant Jags, Mohrhauser cruise to regional titles
It was one of the most dominating performances ever by the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team. The seventh-ranked Jaguars cruised to a Class 4A regional title on Wednesday at the Ashton cross country course in Iowa City. They scored 23 points and advanced to the state meet for the 10th time in the 11-year history of the program. "I'm pretty … [Read more...] about ‘I’m pretty speechless’: Dominant Jags, Mohrhauser cruise to regional titles
‘It was a really fun night’: Jaguars place 2nd at district meet, earn 4th trip to state
The Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team is headed to the state meet for the third time in four years and the fourth time in school history. The 12th-ranked Jaguars placed second in a Class 4A district meet on Wednesday at the Ashton cross country course in Iowa City. They finished with 60 points. "We are looking forward to next Friday," said … [Read more...] about ‘It was a really fun night’: Jaguars place 2nd at district meet, earn 4th trip to state
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 236
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the start of the volleyball postseason with junior outside hitter Delaney Miller of Ankeny Centennial and junior libero Baileigh Carlsen of Ankeny. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 236
Centennial’s Porter commits to Northern Illinois, will reunite with his brother Trey
Ankeny Centennial running back Elijah Porter can change directions quickly on the football field. Now, Porter has changed directions off the field as well. The senior has verbally committed to play for Northern Illinois next year. He had previously committed to Northern Iowa in early August. Porter announced his decision via social media on … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Porter commits to Northern Illinois, will reunite with his brother Trey
Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Brendan Owens and Abel Squires
Seniors Brendan Owens of Ankeny Centennial and Abel Squires of Ankeny are both key members of their respective boys' cross country squads. Squires placed 50th with a time of 17 minutes 1 second in the CIML Conference meet on Wednesday at DMACC. He helped the fourth-ranked Hawks to a two-point victory over No. 1 Dowling Catholic to capture the league … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Brendan Owens and Abel Squires
Wolves top Centennial on rainy night in battle for Class 5A playoff positioning
(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Ankeny Centennial football team just couldn’t seem to find a rhythm Friday against visiting Waukee Northwest. It resulted in a 17-7 loss for the 10th-ranked Jaguars, whose record dropped to 4-4 on the season. No. 7 Northwest (6-2) likely improved its playoff positioning behind quarterback Sam Johnson, who rushed for 147 … [Read more...] about Wolves top Centennial on rainy night in battle for Class 5A playoff positioning
Ankeny swimmers drop 123-63 decision at No. 3 Ames, finish dual season at 6-5
Even though Ames has left the Central Iowa Metropolitan League for the less competitive Alliance Conference, the Little Cyclones still boast one of the state's best girls' swimming programs. Third-ranked Ames, which won nine state titles in a span of 11 years before Waukee won the last two crowns, posted a 123-63 victory over No. 5 Ankeny in a … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers drop 123-63 decision at No. 3 Ames, finish dual season at 6-5