When Ankeny Centennial's Sydney Morris made the second out with no runners on during the fifth inning of Wednesday's game against CIML Conference rival Southeast Polk, the senior catcher didn't expect to bat again just a few minutes later. But that's exactly what happened. Nine batters and seven hits later, Morris stepped to the plate and delivered a … [Read more...] about JAGUAR UPRISING: 8-run outburst in 5th inning sends Centennial to 5A title game
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Rematch Wednesday: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals
The Class 5A semifinals at the state softball tournament on Wednesday will feature a pair of rematches between conference rivals. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm and photographer Drue Wolfe will be making an aerial trip to Fort Dodge with local pilot Chris Janssen, and luckily we'll be able to walk across the street to Harlan Rogers Park from the Fort … [Read more...] about Rematch Wednesday: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals
PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf
The nerves eventually went away for Lauren Gustofson and the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Perhaps the pink hair might have helped. Gustofson, a senior pitcher, got out of some early jams and the top-ranked Jaguars went on to beat No. 8 Bettendorf, 7-1, in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "I was pretty … [Read more...] about PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Severson, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Senior catcher Nick Severson helped lead the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 30-8 record. The Jaguars set a school record for most victories in a season. Severson batted .463 with two home runs, 12 doubles and 27 RBIs. He struck out only eight times in 123 plate appearances. Here is some inside info on Severson: Congratulations on an … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Severson, Ankeny Centennial baseball
State softball preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
The state softball tournament gets under way on Monday at Fort Dodge, and the Class 5A field boasts five teams from the CIML Conference--including top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 2 Ankeny. Three squads from eastern Iowa will try to pull off an upset in Monday's quarterfinals. The other quarterfinal will be an all-CIML matchup between No. 4 Southeast … [Read more...] about State softball preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
‘We had some chances early’: Jaguars strand 8 runners in stunning loss to Ames
Ankeny Centennial's magical season on the baseball diamond came to an end one week earlier than most people expected. The top-ranked Jaguars went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners on base in a stunning 5-1 loss to visiting Ames in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. "We had some chances early that we didn't capitalize … [Read more...] about ‘We had some chances early’: Jaguars strand 8 runners in stunning loss to Ames
Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed
The Ankeny Centennial softball team is headed back to Fort Dodge for the third time in four years. The top-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A state tournament with a 10-1 victory over visiting Ames in a regional final on Tuesday. The win allowed Centennial (33-5) to tie the school record for most victories in a season. "I'm very excited for this … [Read more...] about Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed
‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win
Ankeny Centennial's Addi Starr didn't see the ball go over the fence. But she heard the reaction from her teammates. Starr hit the first home run of her high school softball career to punctuate the top-ranked Jaguars' 7-2 victory over visiting Des Moines East in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. "I was just running hard up until second … [Read more...] about ‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win
Jaguars erupt for 22 runs, toss combined no-hitter in substate win over North
The first game of the postseason can sometimes be the most stressful one. That won't be the case for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The top-ranked Jaguars pounded out 15 hits and rolled to a 22-0 victory over visiting Des Moines North in four innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "The guys are certainly very focused this time … [Read more...] about Jaguars erupt for 22 runs, toss combined no-hitter in substate win over North
Jaguars end slide with win over Riders, break school record with 29th victory
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team needed a win on Wednesday for a couple of reasons. After losing back-to-back games for the first time this season, the top-ranked Jaguars needed to gain some momentum heading into postseason play. Coach Mark Hey's team also needed a win to set the school record for most victories in a season. The Jaguars responded … [Read more...] about Jaguars end slide with win over Riders, break school record with 29th victory
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 226
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm discusses the Ankeny Centennial softball team's quest for the Class 5A state title with head coach Brett Delaney and senior catcher Sydney Morris. Ankeny swimmer Owen Schwebach, who has verbally committed to Xavier University, and Coldwell … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 226
Loss at Waukee NW forces Jaguars to share conference crown with Johnston
With the start of postseason play later this week, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team is still trying to rediscover its mojo. The top-ranked Jaguars dropped a 6-3 decision at Waukee Northwest in their CIML Conference finale on Monday. The loss, coupled with No. 3 Johnston's 7-3 victory at No. 5 Southeast Polk, allowed the Dragons to tie Centennial for … [Read more...] about Loss at Waukee NW forces Jaguars to share conference crown with Johnston
Jaguars beat another ranked foe, close out regular season with 31-5 record
There has been no letdown for the Ankeny Centennial softball team after clinching the CIML Conference title. The top-ranked Jaguars closed out the regular season on Monday with a 5-1 victory at Norwalk in a non-conference game. The Warriors are ranked fifth in Class 4A. "We had eight games in the last week--all of them against rated opponents--and we … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat another ranked foe, close out regular season with 31-5 record
‘Xavier was my clear first choice’: Schwebach to swim for Musketeers
Ankeny boys' swimming standout Owen Schwebach has verbally committed to Xavier University in Cincinnati. Schwebach, a senior-to-be, picked the Musketeers over the University of Denver and Lindenwood University. "After my visit, Xavier was my clear first choice," said Schwebach. "I loved the size of the campus, the team atmosphere, and the support for … [Read more...] about ‘Xavier was my clear first choice’: Schwebach to swim for Musketeers
‘We just have to regroup’: Oakie exits early in Jaguars’ loss at Sioux City North
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team entered Saturday's non-conference doubleheader at Sioux City North with a chance to break the school record for most victories in a season. The top-ranked Jaguars will now have to wait until at least Monday to set a new mark. After Centennial dropped a 4-1 decision in the opener of the twinbill, the Jaguars jumped … [Read more...] about ‘We just have to regroup’: Oakie exits early in Jaguars’ loss at Sioux City North
Jaguars win twice at DC-G Invitational, close in on school record for victories
With a pair of wins on Friday at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational, the Ankeny Centennial softball team moved closer to the school record for most victories in a season. The top-ranked Jaguars posted a 2-1 triumph over ADM (Adel), then followed with a 6-1 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes. Those teams are ranked 11th and fourth, respectively, in Class … [Read more...] about Jaguars win twice at DC-G Invitational, close in on school record for victories
Split at S.E. Polk allows Jaguars to clinch ties for league title, school mark for wins
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team finally found a way to beat CIML Conference rival Southeast Polk. The top-ranked Jaguars held on for a 6-5 victory in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader at No. 5 Southeast Polk, allowing them to salvage the finale of the three-game season series. The win enabled Centennial to clinch at least a tie for the … [Read more...] about Split at S.E. Polk allows Jaguars to clinch ties for league title, school mark for wins
The trend continues: After suffering loss, Jaguars bounce back with run-rule win
Each time the Ankeny Centennial softball team has lost a game this season, the top-ranked Jaguars have rebounded with a resounding victory in their next contest. That trend continued on Thursday as Centennial rolled to a 20-4 victory in four innings in the second game of a doubleheader at No. 5 Southeast Polk. The Jaguars salvaged a split of the twinbill … [Read more...] about The trend continues: After suffering loss, Jaguars bounce back with run-rule win
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Mark Hey, Ankeny Centennial baseball
The veteran coach guides the Jaguars to a sweep of the season series against their crosstown rival and moves his team closer to the CIML Conference title. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Mark Hey, Ankeny Centennial baseball
‘It was a great feeling’: Miller blasts two homers, leads Jaguars to win over rival
Easton Miller was hoping that his final baseball game against crosstown rival Ankeny would be one to remember. He certainly made it so. The senior outfielder blasted the first two home runs of his high school career to lead top-ranked Ankeny Centennial to an 11-3 victory over the visiting Hawks on Wednesday. "It was a great feeling," said Miller. … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great feeling’: Miller blasts two homers, leads Jaguars to win over rival