Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

Hawks place 4th, Jaguars finish 5th at Schmaltz Invite; Zuber races to victory

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Only seven points separated the top four boys' teams in the Kirk Schmaltz Invitational on Monday at the Iowa State cross country course in Ames. Ninth-ranked Norwalk scored 86 points to defend its title, while No. 5 Valley took second in the 13-team field with 89. No. 11 Waukee Northwest and No. 2 Ankeny both finished with 93 points, but the Wolves placed … [Read more...] about Hawks place 4th, Jaguars finish 5th at Schmaltz Invite; Zuber races to victory

Hawkettes race to team crown in Groff’s first meet, while Jaguars place 2nd

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It didn't take long for Quinn Groff to make an impact for the Ankeny girls' cross country program. Groff guided the ninth-ranked Hawkettes to the team title in the Kirk Schmaltz Invitational on Monday in his debut as the team's coach. The meet was held at the Iowa State cross country course in Ames. "The girls ran well!" Groff said. "Our coaching staff … [Read more...] about Hawkettes race to team crown in Groff’s first meet, while Jaguars place 2nd

‘It truly is a dream come true’: Oakie earns spot on 2023 18U National Team

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Ankeny Centennial baseball star Joey Oakie calls it a dream come true. The senior pitcher has been named to the 20-man roster for the 2023 18U National Team following the conclusion of the 18U National Team Training Camp in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. The team has already traveled to Taipei, Taiwan to compete in the World Baseball Softball Confederation … [Read more...] about ‘It truly is a dream come true’: Oakie earns spot on 2023 18U National Team

Hensen remains unbeaten, leads Hawk golfers to team crown at Joselyn Invite

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Drew Hensen and the Ankeny boys' golf team are on a roll. Hensen carded a 2-under-par 69 to earn medalist honors in the Joselyn Invitational on Monday at the Fort Dodge Country Club, where he led the Hawks to the team title. He has been the medalist at all four meets this season. "I’ve tried to not worry too much about the individual side of things," … [Read more...] about Hensen remains unbeaten, leads Hawk golfers to team crown at Joselyn Invite

‘It just felt like home!’: Centennial’s Stewart to play baseball at Iowa Central

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Ankeny Centennial senior Sean Stewart has made his college plans. "I am blessed to announce my commitment to play baseball at Iowa Central!" Stewart tweeted on Monday. "Thank you to all my teammates and coaches who helped me along the way. Go Tritons" Stewart said he looked at several other junior colleges around Iowa and the bordering states before … [Read more...] about ‘It just felt like home!’: Centennial’s Stewart to play baseball at Iowa Central

Jaguars top Ankeny in semifinals, earn runner-up finish at Centennial Invite

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Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Invitational featured many of the state's top volleyball teams. Sixth-ranked Centennial defeated four ranked opponents, including No. 8 Ankeny, on its way to the championship match. Then, in the finals, the Jaguars dropped a 25-21, 25-17 decision to Dike-New Hartford--the No. 1 team in Class 2A. "It was an incredible day … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Ankeny in semifinals, earn runner-up finish at Centennial Invite

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks erase 17-point deficit, knock off Jaguars in double OT

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With the game on the line, the Ankeny football team didn't run the play that was called in the huddle. It worked out for the Hawks anyway. Devon Akers caught a two-point pass from Luke Anderson to give the Hawks a thrilling 39-38 victory over rival Ankeny Centennial in double overtime on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "We actually messed up the play," … [Read more...] about SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks erase 17-point deficit, knock off Jaguars in double OT

Jag-Hawk rivalry resumes on Friday night to kick off 2023 football season

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Ankeny's crosstown rivals will collide on the gridiron for the 12th time on Friday at Ankeny Stadium to kick off the 2023 high school football season. Ankeny Centennial leads the all-time series, 8-3, but Ankeny has won two of the last three meetings--including a 17-10 victory by the Hawks in 2022. "Ankeny's had a very nice run the last few years," … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk rivalry resumes on Friday night to kick off 2023 football season

Hensen again earns medalist honors as Hawks top Centennial at triangular meet

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As the temperatures soared this week, the scores for Drew Hensen and the Ankeny boys' golf team have gone down. Hensen carded a 2-under-par 69 to earn medalist honors on Thursday while leading the Hawks to a second-place finish in a CIML Conference triangular meet at Copper Creek. He finished one stroke ahead of runner-up Sam Wahman of Southeast Polk in … [Read more...] about Hensen again earns medalist honors as Hawks top Centennial at triangular meet

‘We’ve got a great group of kids’: Jaguars return wealth of offensive weapons

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There's a lot of experience on the Ankeny Centennial football team. Co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti is hoping that the return of 12 players who had significant roles on last year's squad that posted a 5-5 record will produce an even better season in 2023. "We've got a great group of kids," said Pezzetti. "We've got quite a few players back on offense and a … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got a great group of kids’: Jaguars return wealth of offensive weapons

‘We got back to playing like ourselves!’: Jags rebound from loss, sweep Waukee

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One night after Indianola pounded 15 aces in a season-opening win over the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team, the sixth-ranked Jaguars had 11 of their own and bounced back with a sweep over visiting Waukee in their CIML Conference opener on Tuesday. Centennial rolled to a 25-16, 25-12, 25-12 victory to even its overall record at 1-1. It was the season … [Read more...] about ‘We got back to playing like ourselves!’: Jags rebound from loss, sweep Waukee

‘I think we’re a lot better than what we showed’: Jags fall to Indianola in 4 sets

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The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team won't have much time to dissect Monday's season-opening loss to Indianola. The Jaguars will be back on the court Tuesday to host Waukee in their CIML Conference opener after falling to the visiting Indians in four sets. Indianola posted a 25-16, 25-20, 20-25, 25-19 victory in a non-conference matchup between … [Read more...] about ‘I think we’re a lot better than what we showed’: Jags fall to Indianola in 4 sets

Jaguars edge Dowling, tumble to Wolves in triangular meet at Jester Park

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team made a lot of progress over the last week. After shooting a 317 and placing fifth in the Jesse Peck Invitational on Aug. 14 at Briarwood Golf Club, the Jaguars dropped 11 strokes off their score Monday during a CIML Conference triangular meet at Jester Park. The 306 total allowed Centennial to edge Dowling Catholic … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge Dowling, tumble to Wolves in triangular meet at Jester Park

After Drake coach departs, Centennial’s Peterson decides to play for Iowa Central

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Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis standout Caleb Peterson is heading to Fort Dodge on Monday to begin his college career at Iowa Central Community College. Peterson decided to go the junior college route after previously considering Drake. "I feel like it was somewhat of an easy decision with my other option Drake losing their coach and Iowa Central being … [Read more...] about After Drake coach departs, Centennial’s Peterson decides to play for Iowa Central

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Zach Hoffman, Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf

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Ankeny Centennial senior Zach Hoffman shot a 79 to place 13th in the season-opening Jesse Peck Invitational on Aug. 14 at Briarwood Golf Club. He helped the Jaguars to a fifth-place finish in the eight-team field. Hoffman is the top returning player from a team that posted a 3-5 record in the CIML Conference last year. He played in 11 events and ranked … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Zach Hoffman, Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf

State placewinner Schermerhorn, 3 other varsity regulars are back for Jaguars

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A year ago, Ankeny Centennial's AJ Schermerhorn earned a spot on the awards podium at the Class 4A state cross country meet, placing 12th in the 5k race with a time of 15:59.52. However, Schermerhorn competed in the meet as an individual after the Jaguars failed to qualify as a team. This year, Schermerhorn is hoping to be joined on the Fort Dodge … [Read more...] about State placewinner Schermerhorn, 3 other varsity regulars are back for Jaguars

Jaguars boast 8 girls who have combined for 13 state-meet appearances

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There are 69 runners on the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team, and about a dozen of them are battling for the seven varsity positions. The roster includes eight girls who have combined for a total of 13 state-meet appearances. "The practices have been going well," said Centennial coach Eric Cogdill. "The girls are eager to do the work. We've … [Read more...] about Jaguars boast 8 girls who have combined for 13 state-meet appearances

‘We’re going to be a fun, athletic team’: Jaguars to rely heavily on Pratt, Miller

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Despite losing six key players from last year's team, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball squad still has plenty of reasons for optimism. The Jaguars boast two of the state's top juniors in Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt. They helped lead the team to a 30-10 record and a trip to the Class 5A semifinals a year ago. "The practices have been going well," … [Read more...] about ‘We’re going to be a fun, athletic team’: Jaguars to rely heavily on Pratt, Miller

‘I think we are going to surprise people’: Ankeny swimmers seek top-5 finish

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team won't open its season until later this month, but the squad is already putting in a lot of hard work under first-year coach Dustin Rhoads. There are 46 girls on the roster, including several returning state qualifiers. "The practices are off to a great start!" Rhoads said. "We went right into two-a-day practices from the … [Read more...] about ‘I think we are going to surprise people’: Ankeny swimmers seek top-5 finish