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Jaguars

James blasts two homers as Jaguars rebound from loss with pair of victories

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The Ankeny Centennial softball players were unhappy with the way Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Valley ended. After committing five errors and dropping a 9-3 decision in the second game for their first loss in CIML Conference play, the top-ranked Jaguars rebounded on Friday with a pair of victories over Class 3A ranked opponents at the Brent … [Read more...] about James blasts two homers as Jaguars rebound from loss with pair of victories

Swanepoel earns all-American honors in 100 butterfly for 4th consecutive year

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Ankeny boys' swimming star Lance Swanepoel has earned all-American honors in the 100 butterfly for the fourth consecutive year. Swanepoel was named an all-American in four events by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. The Wisconsin recruit was an 11-time all-American in his high school career. Swanepoel ranked fifth nationally in … [Read more...] about Swanepoel earns all-American honors in 100 butterfly for 4th consecutive year

Ankeny, Centennial softball teams earn No. 1 seeds for Class 5A regional play

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The Class 5A regional softball pairings have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Both top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 3 Ankeny earned No. 1 seeds in their respective regions. The Jaguars (22-4) will host Des Moines East (6-26) or Des Moines North (0-17) in a Region 4 semifinal on Saturday, July 8 at 7 p.m. Ames (19-13) will … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial softball teams earn No. 1 seeds for Class 5A regional play

Jaguars move closer to CIML Conference crown after splitting twinbill with Valley

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Despite suffering its first loss in CIML Conference play, the Ankeny Centennial softball team moved closer to the league crown on Wednesday. The top-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 13-3 victory over No. 7 Valley in six innings before the visiting Tigers salvaged a split of the doubleheader with a 9-3 triumph in the nightcap. "We've been working really hard … [Read more...] about Jaguars move closer to CIML Conference crown after splitting twinbill with Valley

EASTON PRIDE: Miller returns, Pratt hurls gem in Jaguars’ sweep over Valley

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Easton Miller didn't enjoy watching his Ankeny Centennial baseball teammates succeed without him. On Wednesday night, the senior centerfielder rejoined the Jaguars' lineup and helped his squad to a doubleheader sweep over visiting Valley. "It was hard," said Miller. "I was kind of bummed out at the wins that they got. It was a long week, but I'm glad … [Read more...] about EASTON PRIDE: Miller returns, Pratt hurls gem in Jaguars’ sweep over Valley

‘We just didn’t make enough plays’: Ankeny lets lead slip away at Fort Dodge

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One bad inning proved to be costly for the Ankeny softball team. The second-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 7-3 decision in a non-conference game on Wednesday at Fort Dodge, the No. 3 team in Class 4A. The Dodgers scored all seven of their runs in the sixth inning to erase a 2-0 deficit. Ankeny committed five errors in the loss, leading to four unearned … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t make enough plays’: Ankeny lets lead slip away at Fort Dodge

No. 1 Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic twice, complete sweep of season series

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For the first time this season, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team was forced to battle deep into the late innings in both ends of a doubleheader on Monday. The top-ranked Jaguars went on to sweep No. 5 Dowling Catholic by scores of 2-1 and 5-1 on their home field, completing a sweep of the season series. They improved to 14-2 in the CIML Conference and … [Read more...] about No. 1 Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic twice, complete sweep of season series

Kennedy hits her 9th home run, but Jaguars fall to Waukee NW in 9 innings

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team remains unbeaten in the CIML Conference, despite Monday's loss at Waukee Northwest. Ava Smith hit a walk-off home run with two outs in the ninth inning to give third-ranked Northwest a 2-1 victory over the No. 1 Jaguars. The contest was a non-conference game because the two teams had already played a conference … [Read more...] about Kennedy hits her 9th home run, but Jaguars fall to Waukee NW in 9 innings

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mariah Belzer, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Senior shortstop Mariah Belzer has helped the Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 21-2 record and a No. 1 ranking in Class 5A. Belzer is batting .380 with two home runs, five doubles and 16 RBIs. She has also stolen seven bases in seven attempts. Here is some inside info on Belzer: Congratulations on an outstanding season thus far. What has been … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mariah Belzer, Ankeny Centennial softball

Jaguars celebrate Delaney’s birthday by sweeping doubleheader at Cedar Falls

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The players on the Ankeny Centennial softball team wanted to make sure that coach Brett Delaney enjoyed his birthday on Friday. The top-ranked Jaguars did their part by sweeping a non-conference doubleheader at Cedar Falls. They rallied for a 4-3 win in the opener before completing the sweep with a 14-5 triumph. "We’re always motivated to take the win, … [Read more...] about Jaguars celebrate Delaney’s birthday by sweeping doubleheader at Cedar Falls

‘There’s a lot of games left’: No. 1 Jaguars split at Urbandale, stay in first place

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The race for the CIML Conference baseball championship is far from over. Top-ranked Ankeny Centennial romped to a 12-1 victory in six innings in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday at Urbandale, but the J-Hawks rebounded with a 2-1 win in the nightcap. Centennial continues to lead the league standings with a 12-2 record, but No. 3 Johnston … [Read more...] about ‘There’s a lot of games left’: No. 1 Jaguars split at Urbandale, stay in first place

No. 1 Jaguars blank Urbandale twice, move closer to CIML Conference crown

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team moved closer to the CIML Conference title by sweeping a doubleheader on Thursday at Urbandale. The top-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 15-0 victory in three innings in the first game, then completed the sweep with a 3-0 win. They improved to 10-0 in the conference and 19-2 overall, while the J-Hawks' records dropped to 1-9 … [Read more...] about No. 1 Jaguars blank Urbandale twice, move closer to CIML Conference crown

After 3 years at Luther, Rhoads returns to Ankeny to take over swimming programs

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Former Ankeny assistant boys' coach Dustin Rhoads has been named the head coach of the Ankeny boys' and girls' swimming programs. Rhoads was the associate head coach at Luther College for the last three years, helping both the men's and women's programs to American Rivers Conference championships in 2021-23. "I've had a great time at Luther," Rhoads … [Read more...] about After 3 years at Luther, Rhoads returns to Ankeny to take over swimming programs

Even with Easton Miller out of the lineup, No. 1 Jaguars continue to roll past foes

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team hasn't skipped a beat without its normal leadoff hitter. The top-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 13-2 victory over visiting Waukee in five innings on Wednesday. They played their third straight game without starting centerfielder Easton Miller, who left the opener of Monday's doubleheader against Waukee Northwest with a … [Read more...] about Even with Easton Miller out of the lineup, No. 1 Jaguars continue to roll past foes

Carlisle holds on for 3-1 victory, snaps Jaguars’ 13-game winning streak

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The visiting Carlisle softball team snapped top-ranked Ankeny Centennial's 13-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The Wildcats, who are ranked fifth in Class 4A, improved to 15-2 with their fifth straight win. Centennial's record dropped to 17-2. The Jaguars were held to seven hits by Addesyn Abel. Cora Boyle … [Read more...] about Carlisle holds on for 3-1 victory, snaps Jaguars’ 13-game winning streak

No. 1 Centennial pounds out 12 hits in 8-3 win over Norwalk, raises record to 18-1

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Five different players had two hits apiece as the Ankeny Centennial baseball team defeated visiting Norwalk, 8-3, in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The top-ranked Jaguars used a four-run fourth inning to build a 6-0 lead. They pounded out 12 hits against a trio of Norwalk pitchers. Centennial improved to 18-1 on the season. The Warriors' record … [Read more...] about No. 1 Centennial pounds out 12 hits in 8-3 win over Norwalk, raises record to 18-1

‘Everything is just clicking’: Jaguars rally past Waukee NW to complete sweep

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For five innings, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team didn't have an answer for Waukee Northwest righthander Grant Miller. In the end, though, the top-ranked Jaguars found a way to come out on top--just like they have all season. Centennial rallied for three runs in the sixth inning to post a 3-1 victory that completed a sweep of Monday's doubleheader … [Read more...] about ‘Everything is just clicking’: Jaguars rally past Waukee NW to complete sweep

STARRING ROLE: Addi’s walk-off hit in 9th inning allows Jags to sweep Waukee NW

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It had been a rough night at the plate for Addi Starr. But when the Ankeny Centennial softball team needed her to come through, the junior third baseman delivered. Starr hit a walk-off single in the ninth inning to give the top-ranked Jaguars a 3-2 victory over No. 3 Waukee Northwest and complete a sweep of Monday's doubleheader against the visiting … [Read more...] about STARRING ROLE: Addi’s walk-off hit in 9th inning allows Jags to sweep Waukee NW