Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

Jaguars return much of varsity lineup, but will have to replace state runner-up

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Despite returning many of its varsity players, the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team will have to fill a gaping hole at the top of the Jaguars' lineup. Caleb Peterson graduated after posting a 20-1 record and placing second in the Class 2A state singles tournament a year ago. He took fifth as a junior and finished sixth in doubles while playing with Nic … [Read more...] about Jaguars return much of varsity lineup, but will have to replace state runner-up

‘I see a lot of potential in our golfers’: Jaguars return Drefke, 2 other regulars

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Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke has already enjoyed a tremendous high school golf career. The Augustana University (S.D.) recruit now has one final season to close it out in style. "I know Payton will want to be one of the top golfers in the state," said Centennial coach John Petersen. Drefke is a two-time state placewinner. She tied for 15th … [Read more...] about ‘I see a lot of potential in our golfers’: Jaguars return Drefke, 2 other regulars

Jaguars win 6 events, capture Class A division and overall title at Roth Relays

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team won the Class A division and also captured the overall crown in the Steve Roth Relays on Thursday at Washington. The Jaguars racked up 175 points in the large-school division. Mediapolis won the Class B title and placed second overall among 28 teams with 152 points, while Columbus Junction took the Class C crown and … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 6 events, capture Class A division and overall title at Roth Relays

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jack Lincoln, Ankeny Centennial junior

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Because of the gap between the winter and spring sports seasons, this seemed like a good week to do something a little different with the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week feature sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. Here's an interview with Special Olympic athlete Jack Lincoln, a junior at Ankeny Centennial: Congratulations on winning two gold medals in … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jack Lincoln, Ankeny Centennial junior

Centennial girls look to build on success following historic campaign in 2023

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A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team enjoyed an historic season. Now, the Jaguars are looking to build on that success. "I have several goals for this season," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "First, I would love for every player to see improvement on an individual level. I also hope to help my players continue to develop … [Read more...] about Centennial girls look to build on success following historic campaign in 2023

Expectations remain high for Jaguars despite heavy losses from last year

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax will be relying more than ever on his son Ty. Ty Duax, a senior midfielder, is one of just five returning starters from last year's team that posted a 10-6 record and reached the Class 4A semifinals. The Jaguars graduated several key players and will also have to replace all-state forward Andrew … [Read more...] about Expectations remain high for Jaguars despite heavy losses from last year

With 14 returning state qualifiers, Jaguars seek first top-10 finish in Class 4A

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team has never placed in the top 10 at the Class 4A state meet. This could be the year that the Jaguars break through that barrier. "Our No. 1 goal is to have a ton of fun as a team and to continue to build on the great team culture we have," said Centennial coach Tyler Asbe. "With that environment, the level of … [Read more...] about With 14 returning state qualifiers, Jaguars seek first top-10 finish in Class 4A

Centennial boys return 16 state qualifiers, led by deep group of sprinters

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Due to some balmy spring weather, the season is already off to a good start for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. "This has been the most the team has been able to train outdoors this early," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "The coaches and athletes have taken advantage of it." The Jaguars tied for 25th place in last year's Class 4A state meet … [Read more...] about Centennial boys return 16 state qualifiers, led by deep group of sprinters

Aguirre, Vaske earn academic all-state boys’ basketball honors from IBCA

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Seniors Lio Aguirre of Ankeny and Nick Vaske of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the academic all-state boys' basketball team by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. The 23-player team was selected by an IBCA panel from more than 136 applicants. The 2024 squad has the following averages: An ACT composite score of 26.5, a scoring average of 16.9 … [Read more...] about Aguirre, Vaske earn academic all-state boys’ basketball honors from IBCA

Winkel, Johnson earn first-team all-state honors in Class 4A from IPSWA

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball standout Luke Winkel has been named to the Class 4A all-state first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association for the second straight year. Winkel was joined on the first team by Ankeny star Carson Johnson, who was a second-team pick a year ago. Both players surpassed the 1,000-point career mark this … [Read more...] about Winkel, Johnson earn first-team all-state honors in Class 4A from IPSWA

Johnson, Winkel are repeat selections to CIML Conference first team

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Senior guards Carson Johnson of Ankeny and Luke Winkel of Ankeny Centennial were both repeat selections to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's boys' basketball coaches. They were both unanimous picks. Johnson led the Hawks to an 18-7 record and a trip to the Class 4A semifinals. He was the second-leading scorer in Class 4A with an … [Read more...] about Johnson, Winkel are repeat selections to CIML Conference first team

‘I can’t wait for this next chapter!’: Jaguars’ Kroska to play soccer at Denver

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Ankeny Centennial junior Olivia Kroska is headed to the Mile High City in the fall of 2025. Kroska, a midfielder, has committed to play Division I soccer for the University of Denver. "I looked at quite a few schools, and they were all in different areas," said Kroska. "It was a little hard at first to wrap my head around being so far away from family … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait for this next chapter!’: Jaguars’ Kroska to play soccer at Denver

More all-state girls’ basketball honors for Centennial duo, Ankeny’s Williams

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The Ankeny Centennial duo of Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt has received all-state girls' basketball honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association along with Ankeny standout Jayla Williams. Crawford, a junior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. She also earned first-team honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Crawford led the … [Read more...] about More all-state girls’ basketball honors for Centennial duo, Ankeny’s Williams

Crawford, Pratt, Williams named all-state by Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

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Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball standout Mya Crawford has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association, while teammate Jaeden Pratt and Jayla Williams of Ankeny were both selected to the second team. Crawford, a junior guard, led the Jaguars to a 14-9 record and a trip to the state tournament. She set a school … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt, Williams named all-state by Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

Centennial’s Schermerhorn signs letter of intent to run for Iowa State next year

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When Ankeny Centennial distance runner AJ Schermerhorn started his search for a potential college, Iowa State was one of the schools that attracted his interest. Schermerhorn, a three-time state cross country qualifier and a two-time placewinner, eventually signed with the Cyclones. "I had a list of about 15 schools with a range of some I really wanted … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Schermerhorn signs letter of intent to run for Iowa State next year

‘We just couldn’t get stops’: Jaguars finish at 17-7 after falling to Ankeny boys, 64-41

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team picked a bad night to have its worst offensive performance of the season. The 10th-ranked Jaguars shot just 34.6 percent from the field (18-of-52) and dropped a 64-41 decision to No. 8 Ankeny in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Southeast Polk. It was a season-low output for Centennial, which finished … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t get stops’: Jaguars finish at 17-7 after falling to Ankeny boys, 64-41

Hawks knock off Centennial in substate final, will face Dubuque Senior at state

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Lio Aguirre made five 3-point goals and scored 22 points, Carson Johnson added 17, and the eighth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team pulled away in the second half for a 64-41 victory over No. 10 Ankeny Centennial in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Southeast Polk. The Hawks (17-6) advanced to the state tournament for the third time in five years. … [Read more...] about Hawks knock off Centennial in substate final, will face Dubuque Senior at state

‘We were real, real close’: Jaguars’ late rally falls short in Class 5A quarterfinals

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Waukee girls' basketball coach Dani Franklin-Printy breathed a sigh of relief on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. It's never easy to beat a good team three times, and that's what the fourth-ranked Warriors discovered in the Class 5A quarterfinals against CIML Conference rival Ankeny Centennial. The No. 5 Jaguars overcame a 10-point deficit in the second … [Read more...] about ‘We were real, real close’: Jaguars’ late rally falls short in Class 5A quarterfinals

‘We fought as hard as we could’: Jaguars lose heartbreaker to Waukee, 46-44

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Scott DeJong will have to wait until next season to earn his 700th career coaching victory. The fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team lost a heartbreaker to No. 4 Waukee, 46-44, in the Class 5A quarterfinals of the state tournament on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Jaguars finished the season with a 14-9 record. "We fought as hard as … [Read more...] about ‘We fought as hard as we could’: Jaguars lose heartbreaker to Waukee, 46-44