The final round of her high school golf career was a memorable one for Ankeny Centennial's Payton Drefke. Drefke shot a 5-over-par 76 on Friday in the second round of the girls' Class 4A state meet at Otter Creek. She posted a 36-hole total of 157 to tie for 16th place with five other golfers. "She played very well today," said Centennial coach John … [Read more...] about ‘I played the course more how I wanted to’: Drefke shoots 76, ties for 16th place
Jaguars
‘I’m sure she will be back’: Centennial’s Baca gains some state-meet experience
Talia Baca's third-place match in a girls' Class 2A regional tennis tournament earlier this month turned out to be for more than just pride. Baca's three-set victory over Emily Allen of Indianola allowed her to get into the state singles tournament on Friday when the district champion, Lexi Moen of Valley, had to withdraw due to sickness. "We found out … [Read more...] about ‘I’m sure she will be back’: Centennial’s Baca gains some state-meet experience
‘You just have to tip your cap’: Brewer hurls 2-hitter, hits HR in win over Jaguars
Ankeny Centennial freshman Lauren Sandholm showed on Thursday why she is one of the state's top softball pitchers. Unfortunately, Norwalk's Carly Brewer was just a little bit better. Brewer tossed a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and also homered for the game's only run as Norwalk, the No. 2 team in Class 4A, posted a 1-0 victory at No. 1 Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘You just have to tip your cap’: Brewer hurls 2-hitter, hits HR in win over Jaguars
Drefke shoots 10-over-par 81 in opening round of Class 4A state golf meet
Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke carded a 10-over-par 81 in the opening round of the girls' Class 4A state golf meet on Thursday at Otter Creek. She is tied for 21st place in the field of 70 golfers heading into Friday's final round. Drefke made 11 pars and had just five bogeys. But a triple bogey on the par-4, No. 2 hole and a double bogey on the … [Read more...] about Drefke shoots 10-over-par 81 in opening round of Class 4A state golf meet
Jaguars romp past C.R. Jefferson, will host S.E. Polk in regional final Thursday
A big early lead was just what the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team needed. Facing back-to-back games in postseason play due to Tuesday's postponement, the eighth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 5-0 halftime lead and rolled past visiting Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 9-0, in a Class 3A regional semifinal on Wednesday. "We had an opportunity to rotate some … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past C.R. Jefferson, will host S.E. Polk in regional final Thursday
Oakie fans 9 in season debut on mound, but Jags drop 10-4 decision at Waukee
The top-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team just couldn't get out of the fourth inning. Waukee erupted for nine runs in the frame--all of them unearned--and went on to defeat the visiting Jaguars, 10-4, in the CIML Conference opener for both teams on Monday. "Waukee played really well, and we didn't play so well," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. … [Read more...] about Oakie fans 9 in season debut on mound, but Jags drop 10-4 decision at Waukee
Jaguars boast 6 returning starters from last year’s Class 5A championship team
There's going to be a big target this season on the Ankeny Centennial softball team. After cruising to their first state championship in dominating fashion a year ago, the Jaguars will undoubtedly be getting the best shot from their opponents in 2024. It's a challenge that coach Brett Delaney and his players wholeheartedly welcome. "Last year was a … [Read more...] about Jaguars boast 6 returning starters from last year’s Class 5A championship team
‘It was very emblematic of our season’: Jags bow out with loss at Iowa City High
The 10th-ranked Iowa City High boys' soccer team found its mojo on Monday. It resulted in a season-ending loss for Ankeny Centennial. The Jaguars dropped a 2-0 decision at City High in a Class 4A substate semifinal. The Little Hawks (11-3) had allowed 10 goals while losing their last two games before tournament play. "It was very emblematic of our … [Read more...] about ‘It was very emblematic of our season’: Jags bow out with loss at Iowa City High
‘It was pretty special’: Hey guides No. 1 Jaguars past Roosevelt, Wee at Rippey
For the second year in a row, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team made a successful trip to Walt Anderson Field. The top-ranked Jaguars overcame an early 1-0 deficit to beat Des Moines Roosevelt, 6-1, in a non-conference game on Friday. The contest was played at Rippey, where Centennial posted a 9-0 win over Webster City in last year's season … [Read more...] about ‘It was pretty special’: Hey guides No. 1 Jaguars past Roosevelt, Wee at Rippey
Hawkettes place 8th in Class 4A, while Jaguars take 12th to equal highest finish
When the dust had finally settled on Saturday afternoon, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams both had plenty of reasons to be happy about their performances in the Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium. The Hawkettes and Jaguars also showed that they have a bright future. Several underclassmen played key roles for both squads in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 8th in Class 4A, while Jaguars take 12th to equal highest finish
Jaguars place 2nd in 4×100 relay, tie for 7th in Class 4A with North Scott, Waukee
After winning a Class 4A state title in the 4x200 relay on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team nearly added another crown in the 4x100 relay on Saturday. The Jaguars raced to a second-place finish on a sunny afternoon at Drake Stadium, posting a time of 41.34 seconds that broke the previous meet record. The team consisted of Elijah Porter, … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 2nd in 4×100 relay, tie for 7th in Class 4A with North Scott, Waukee
Hawks capture DMR crown, remain atop 4A standings; Jaguars claim 4×200 title
While the Ankeny boys' track team continued its quest for the Class 4A state championship by winning its fourth event title on Friday, its crosstown rival also made a considerable amount of noise at Drake Stadium. Ankeny Centennial raced to a victory in the 4x200 relay, which also allowed the Jaguars to move into the top 10 in the team … [Read more...] about Hawks capture DMR crown, remain atop 4A standings; Jaguars claim 4×200 title
Hawkettes, Jaguars score points in DMR, remain in contention for top-10 finishes
Heading into the final day of the coed state track meet, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' teams are still in the mix for top-10 finishes in Class 4A. The Hawkettes are tied with Valley for sixth place with 19 points apiece. The Jaguars are tied with Burlington for 11th with 15 points. Two-time defending champion Waukee Northwest has moved into … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars score points in DMR, remain in contention for top-10 finishes
No. 1 Jaguars rout Gilbert in 6 innings to open season, will play at Rippey Friday
The top-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team opened the season on Thursday with a 10-0 non-conference victory over visiting Gilbert in six innings.The Jaguars used a seven-run fourth inning to build a 9-0 lead and then walked off with the win in the sixth. "We got good pitching, really good defense, and we hit the ball at the right time," said … [Read more...] about No. 1 Jaguars rout Gilbert in 6 innings to open season, will play at Rippey Friday
‘We’ve got more work to do’: Hawks win 3 events, take early lead in Class 4A race
The Ankeny boys' track team didn't just make a huge statement on Thursday. The Hawks made several of them. Ankeny won the first three finals on the track in the Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium, double-placed in the high jump and took a commanding lead in the team race heading into Friday's events in the three-day competition. The Hawks have … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got more work to do’: Hawks win 3 events, take early lead in Class 4A race
Hawkettes, Jaguars collide often on opening day of coed state track meet
The opening day of the coed state track meet featured a few head-to-head battles between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' teams. In two of the events on Thursday at Drake Stadium, both the Hawkettes and Jaguars scored points. They each earned top-three finishes in the high jump and top-six finishes in the 4x800 relay. "I really enjoy running … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars collide often on opening day of coed state track meet
Drefke places 2nd at regional meet, advances to state for 3rd straight year
Ankeny Centennial's Payton Drefke will get to close out her high school golf career on one of her favorite courses. The senior qualified for the Class 4A state meet for the third consecutive year with a runner-up finish in a regional meet on Wednesday at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. She shot a 5-over-par 78 on one of the state's most challenging … [Read more...] about Drefke places 2nd at regional meet, advances to state for 3rd straight year
‘They played their hearts out’: Hawks’ late rally earns twinbill split at Pleasant Valley
A dramatic rally allowed the Ankeny baseball team to earn a season-opening split of a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at Pleasant Valley. The Hawks rallied for five runs in the seventh inning of the nightcap to erase a 7-2 deficit, then got a sacrifice fly from Jack Clevidence in the eighth to post an 8-7 victory. "It wasn't the prettiest … [Read more...] about ‘They played their hearts out’: Hawks’ late rally earns twinbill split at Pleasant Valley
‘We are very proud of this group’: Jaguars fall at No. 5 Valley in substate final
Tami Lewton would have been proud of her team's effort. The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis squad closed out the season on Wednesday with a 5-0 loss at fifth-ranked Valley in the final of a Class 2A substate team tournament. The Jaguars finished with a 4-9 record. Lewton missed the entire season as she wages a battle against cancer. "We are very … [Read more...] about ‘We are very proud of this group’: Jaguars fall at No. 5 Valley in substate final
‘They were clogging the middle’: Jaguars suffer frustrating 1-0 loss to Cedar Falls
This wasn't the way that the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players wanted their Senior Night to go. The seventh-ranked Jaguars finished the regular season on Tuesday with a 1-0 loss to visiting Cedar Falls in a non-conference game. The Tigers were outshot by a 16-2 margin, but they scored the game-winner when Zoe Zylstra found the net in the second half … [Read more...] about ‘They were clogging the middle’: Jaguars suffer frustrating 1-0 loss to Cedar Falls