The Ankeny bowling teams were hoping to make a smashing debut in their first-ever meet at B-Roll Bowling. But visiting Johnston had other ideas. The Dragons swept Ankeny in a season-opening CIML Conference dual meet on Thursday. They won the boys' meet by a score of 2,315 to 2,303 and the girls' meet by a score of 1,973 to 1,844. The Johnston … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams fall to Johnston in first-ever meet at B-Roll Bowling
Jaguars
‘We got the job done’: Jags top Waukee, but aren’t satisfied with performance
A moral victory is defined as a defeat that can be interpreted as a victory on moral terms, because the defeated team exceeded its expectations. The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team may have experienced the opposite of a moral victory on Thursday, when the Jaguars posted a 39-24 win over a visiting Waukee squad that they defeated a year ago by 66 … [Read more...] about ‘We got the job done’: Jags top Waukee, but aren’t satisfied with performance
‘I’m proud of my guys’: Ankeny swimmers win 3 events in loss to powerful Waukee
The Ankeny boys' swimming team proved on Thursday that it could compete with three-time defending state champion Waukee. Even though the Warriors posted a 105-65 victory in the CIML Conference dual meet, Ankeny won three events and should have won another at Trail Point Aquatics Center. "Obviously, it’s a tough way to start the dual season against the … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of my guys’: Ankeny swimmers win 3 events in loss to powerful Waukee
‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys top Urbandale on Fontana’s birthday
Bob Fontana celebrated his birthday on Tuesday with a season-opening victory. His Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team jumped out to an early lead and led all the way in a 64-51 win at Urbandale in a CIML Conference game. "It was a good road win and a good way to start the season," said Fontana. "You never know what to expect the first game. You're … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys top Urbandale on Fontana’s birthday
Ankeny girls rack up 7 falls, roll past Valley in CIML Conference opener
The Ankeny girls' wrestling team will find out in the next couple of days where it stands among the state's elite squads. Ankeny coach Dustin Roland was hoping that his team would be tested on Tuesday, but that didn't turn out to be the case. Roland's squad recorded seven falls and won five other matches by forfeit to beat Valley, 72-12, in its CIML … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rack up 7 falls, roll past Valley in CIML Conference opener
Centennial girls dominate boards, force 26 turnovers in victory at Urbandale
On a night when the shots weren't falling at a high rate for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team, the Jaguars found other ways to dominate their opponent. Fifth-ranked Centennial racked up a 48-19 rebounding advantage and also forced 26 turnovers en route to a 75-33 victory at Urbandale in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about Centennial girls dominate boards, force 26 turnovers in victory at Urbandale
Centennial wrestlers romp to wins over Albia, West Marshall to open season
Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth isn't sure what the Jaguars' best lineup will be just yet. But the one that he put on the mat Tuesday night looked pretty good. Centennial opened the season with a pair of lopsided victories in a double dual meet. The host Jaguars posted a 58-16 win over Albia, then rolled to a 72-6 triumph over West … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers romp to wins over Albia, West Marshall to open season
Ankeny bowling teams to begin season under new coach at new home venue
The Ankeny bowling teams will open their season on Thursday by hosting a CIML Conference dual meet against Johnston at B-Roll Bowling, which is now the home venue for both programs. Ankeny also has a new head coach in Nick Payton, who took over the programs following the departure of Lane Richtsmeier after four seasons. "The bowlers have been excited … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams to begin season under new coach at new home venue
‘This was a huge win’: Late rally allows Jaguars to knock off No. 2 Pleasant Valley
This wasn't just another November victory for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The fifth-ranked Jaguars scored the final nine points of the game and rallied to beat No. 2 Pleasant Valley, 44-40, on Saturday in Cedar Rapids. The contest was part of the 19th Rivalry Saturday held on the campus of Kirkwood Community College. "To go to a … [Read more...] about ‘This was a huge win’: Late rally allows Jaguars to knock off No. 2 Pleasant Valley
‘We have talent and depth and numbers’: Jaguars boast 8 returning state qualifiers
A year ago, Ankeny Centennial advanced 12 wrestlers to the Class 3A state tournament--the most in school history. Now, eight of those 12 wrestlers are back, the most returning qualifiers the Jaguars have ever had under coach Jay Groth. "We are an experienced crew," Groth said. "We are working hard to raise the bar to get to the next level. We have a … [Read more...] about ‘We have talent and depth and numbers’: Jaguars boast 8 returning state qualifiers
Jaguars return 3 starters from state tourney team, led by all-stater Winkel
On paper, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team returns some of the key players from last year's squad that posted a 16-8 record and qualified for the Class 4A state tournament. Centennial coach Bob Fontana knows, however, that another successful season is not guaranteed. "We do have a nucleus to build around and having experience can be … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 3 starters from state tourney team, led by all-stater Winkel
Hot-shooting Jaguars rout Roosevelt, will face No. 2 Pleasant Valley on Saturday
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team won't have many games like Tuesday's season opener against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. Perhaps the fifth-ranked Jaguars won't have any like it. Centennial raced out to a 54-6 halftime lead and rolled to a 73-18 victory over the Roughriders in a non-conference game. "We shot the ball well. We were … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Jaguars rout Roosevelt, will face No. 2 Pleasant Valley on Saturday
‘It was just a perfect fit for me!’: Peterson to play tennis for Northern Iowa
Ankeny Centennial senior Abbie Peterson will continue her tennis career at Northern Iowa. Peterson, a two-time state placewinner, said for awhile she had not planned on taking her game to the next level. "To be honest, I had not been playing tournaments or looking into playing in college until very recently," she said. "I was planning on getting into … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a perfect fit for me!’: Peterson to play tennis for Northern Iowa
Six Ankeny players, four Centennial stars earn IPSWA all-state football honors
Six Ankeny football players and four more from Ankeny Centennial have earned all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. The teams were selected by the IPSWA in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Senior receiver Devon Akers, junior offensive lineman Lukis Beroth, senior linebacker Connor Kayser and senior … [Read more...] about Six Ankeny players, four Centennial stars earn IPSWA all-state football honors
‘It was a good fit in many ways’: Drefke picks golf over softball, commits to Augie
For many high school athletes, finding the right college to compete at involves several different factors. The decision for Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke was even tougher. The golf and softball standout had to pick a sport, too. In the end, Drefke elected to focus on just one of the two. She will play golf at Augustana University (S.D.). "I … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good fit in many ways’: Drefke picks golf over softball, commits to Augie
Cleveland, McGrew pin their way to titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Nevada
After winning the Central Iowa Kickoff on Saturday at Nevada, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team has earned a little bit of a break. Ankeny won't compete again until Nov. 28, when it faces Valley in its CIML Conference opener at Johnston. "We have a number of girls banged up already this season so we are excited to have some recovery time over the … [Read more...] about Cleveland, McGrew pin their way to titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Nevada
‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars
When the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team opens its season on Tuesday with a non-conference game against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, the Jaguars will start a lineup consisting of five underclassmen. That's because there are no seniors on the squad's roster. "I do think we have had (this situation) before, but rarely," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars
Welsch to join ISU as preferred walk-on, will reunite with ex-teammate Miller
Ankeny Centennial defensive back Connor Welsch will be reunited with former teammate Easton Miller next fall in Ames. Welsch has accepted an offer to join Iowa State's football program as a preferred walk-on. That's the same route that Miller chose last January. Miller has been playing on the scout team and dressed out for the first time on Saturday … [Read more...] about Welsch to join ISU as preferred walk-on, will reunite with ex-teammate Miller
No. 7 Ankeny girls rout DC-G, then post 42-39 win over No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock
A year ago, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team opened its inaugural season with a pair of losses to Dallas Center-Grimes and Waverly-Shell Rock. On Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes, Ankeny avenged those losses in impressive fashion. After opening the season with a 72-9 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes, seventh-ranked Ankeny then followed with a 42-39 win … [Read more...] about No. 7 Ankeny girls rout DC-G, then post 42-39 win over No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock
Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State
Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Luke Winkel has made his college plans. The senior point guard announced on social media Monday that he will continue his career at St. Cloud State, an NCAA Division II program and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. "Throughout the recruiting process, I met a lot of great people and had nice … [Read more...] about Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State