Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars

Centennial crowns 3 district champs, advances 9 other wrestlers to state

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Every year, the goal for Ankeny Centennial coach Jay Groth is to qualify all 14 of his wrestlers for the Class 3A state tournament. On Saturday, the Jaguars came closer than ever to meeting that goal--with help from a new format that allows the top three finishers at each weight to advance to state. Centennial qualified 12 wrestlers while placing … [Read more...] about Centennial crowns 3 district champs, advances 9 other wrestlers to state

Swanepoel captures 2 state titles, leads Hawk swimmers to 4th-place finish

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Saturday was an unforgettable day for Lance Swanepoel, coach Justin Crouch and the Ankeny boys' swimming team. Swanepoel capped off his illustrious high school career by winning a pair of individual titles in the state meet at the University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City. He also swam on Ankeny's runner-up 200 and 400 … [Read more...] about Swanepoel captures 2 state titles, leads Hawk swimmers to 4th-place finish

‘We just didn’t have a good shooting night’: Jaguars fall at No. 3 Waukee NW

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With a five-game winning streak, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team entered Friday's showdown at Waukee Northwest with a whole lot of confidence. After dropping a 74-48 decision to the third-ranked Wolves, the No. 6 Jaguars will have to regroup. "We just didn't have a good shooting night," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "The whole … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t have a good shooting night’: Jaguars fall at No. 3 Waukee NW

Centennial girls knock off Wolves, earn 3rd-place finish in CIML Conference

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team used a strong third quarter to pull away for a 54-45 victory at Waukee Northwest in its regular-season finale on Friday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars held a 26-23 lead at halftime. They then outscored Northwest in the third period, 16-9, to build a 42-32 advantage. The Wolves closed the gap to 44-41 in the … [Read more...] about Centennial girls knock off Wolves, earn 3rd-place finish in CIML Conference

Swanepoel smashes state record in 100 butterfly, closes in on 50 freestyle mark

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Ankeny swimmer Lance Swanepoel called his shot a week ago. After winning the 100 butterfly at a district meet in 48.75 seconds, Swanepoel said that a time of 46.8 was calling his name for the state meet. On Friday night during the preliminaries of the state meet at the University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City, the senior … [Read more...] about Swanepoel smashes state record in 100 butterfly, closes in on 50 freestyle mark

Hawk swimmers projected to finish 8th at state; Swanepoel could win 2 titles

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Top-ranked Waukee is a strong favorite to win a third consecutive boys' swimming state title. The Warriors are projected to score 273 points in the state meet, which begins on Friday with the preliminaries at 5 p.m. at the University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City. The meet concludes on Saturday with the finals at … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers projected to finish 8th at state; Swanepoel could win 2 titles

Ankeny girls place 4th at conference meet; Hawk bowlers finish 5th

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The Ankeny girls' bowling team placed fourth in the CIML Conference meet on Wednesday at Merle Hay Lanes, while the boys' squad earned a fifth-place finish. The meet consisted of 15 bakers games for the team competition. The individual rounds were comprised of three games. "I'm very proud of how we all bowled," said Ankeny coach Lane Richtsmeier. "We … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls place 4th at conference meet; Hawk bowlers finish 5th

Ankeny swimmer Walker awarded Chancellor Scholarship from SIU

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Ankeny swimmer Caroline Walker verbally committed to Southern Illinois University last fall. She now knows that her college tuition will be completely covered. "I just found out that I was awarded the Chancellor Scholarship, earning me a four-year, $104,000 full ride," Walker said. Walker was an 11-time state qualifier and a nine-time placewinner in … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmer Walker awarded Chancellor Scholarship from SIU

Ankeny assistant Asbe named head coach of Centennial girls’ track program

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Tyler Asbe has been named the new head coach of the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. Asbe spent the last two years as an assistant for the Ankeny girls' squad. "I'm definitely excited to get things going," said Asbe. "The season is right around the corner, and I met the athletes (Wednesday). That just kind of made it feel real." Asbe briefly … [Read more...] about Ankeny assistant Asbe named head coach of Centennial girls’ track program

Regional pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes to host semifinals on Feb. 18

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team won't have to leave its own gym in order to qualify for the Class 5A state tournament. For crosstown rival Ankeny, though, the road to Wells Fargo Arena will likely go through Davenport. The regional pairings were announced on Wednesday by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Sixth-ranked Centennial … [Read more...] about Regional pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes to host semifinals on Feb. 18

Centennial boys top Rams in seesaw battle for Fontana’s 450th career triumph

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana doesn't keep track of his career record. It's a good thing that somebody else does. Fontana earned his 450th career win on Tuesday as the sixth-ranked Jaguars won a seesaw battle at Southeast Polk, 64-61, in a CIML Conference game. "I don't keep track of that, but my wife and daughter do," said … [Read more...] about Centennial boys top Rams in seesaw battle for Fontana’s 450th career triumph

‘I’ve been feeling it lately’: Porter’s late flurry lifts Jaguars to victory at S.E. Polk

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Ankeny Centennial's Averi Porter has made a lot of big shots in her high school basketball career. On Tuesday night, the senior guard connected on a few more. Porter erupted for 10 points in the first 3 minutes of the fourth quarter as the sixth-ranked Jaguars pulled away from a 33-33 tie to post a 52-46 victory at No. 9 Southeast Polk. She finished … [Read more...] about ‘I’ve been feeling it lately’: Porter’s late flurry lifts Jaguars to victory at S.E. Polk

‘We’ve just got to learn from it’: Jaguars finish 8th in 3A duals tournament

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Ankeny Centennial's trip to the state duals wrestling tournament turned into a bumpy ride. The Jaguars placed eighth in the Class 3A field on Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. They finished the dual season with a 21-9 record after losing to all three of their opponents. "It was just one of those days where we came out flat and wrestled flat all … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve just got to learn from it’: Jaguars finish 8th in 3A duals tournament

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Evan Bryan, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Senior forward Evan Bryan has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 13-5 record, including an 8-5 mark in the CIML Conference. He scored 14 points and grabbed seven boards on Saturday as the Jaguars posted a 73-32 win at Des Moines North for their fourth consecutive victory. Bryan is averaging 9.4 points and 4.0 rebounds … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Evan Bryan, Centennial boys’ basketball

‘I was really happy with our approach’: Centennial boys roll past Polar Bears

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team didn't have much time to enjoy Friday night's thrilling come-from-behind win against Ankeny. The eighth-ranked Jaguars were back on the court less than 24 hours later for a non-conference game on Saturday at Des Moines North. Centennial got off to a fast start, building a 38-9 halftime lead, and rolled to a … [Read more...] about ‘I was really happy with our approach’: Centennial boys roll past Polar Bears

Ankeny swimmers respond to adversity, earn runner-up finish at district meet

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Saturday's district meet at Ames went pretty smoothly for the Ankeny boys' swimming team--with one notable exception. Owen Schwebach was disqualified for a false start in the 50 freestyle, but he then rebounded with a personal best in the 100 butterfly and helped seventh-ranked Ankeny to a runner-up finish in the eight-team field. The Hawks scored 438 … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers respond to adversity, earn runner-up finish at district meet

A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Jaguars rally from 25 down to edge Ankeny boys

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A noticeable number of fans left the Ankeny Centennial gym on Friday after the Ankeny boys' basketball team built a commanding 37-14 halftime lead over the eighth-ranked Jaguars. Those fans missed quite the finish. After Ankeny's Maddox Ward scored the first basket of the third quarter to extend the margin to 25 points, Centennial responded with an … [Read more...] about A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Jaguars rally from 25 down to edge Ankeny boys

‘Jenna put us on her back’: Pitz again leads Hawkettes past rival Centennial

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Ankeny senior Jenna Pitz struggled through one of the worst shooting nights of her basketball career on Dec. 20, going 1-for-13 from the field in the Hawkettes' 59-52 loss to Ankeny Centennial. She wasn't going to let it happen again. Pitz scored 16 of her 17 points in the second half to lead 13th-ranked Ankeny to a 48-43 victory at No. 6 Centennial on … [Read more...] about ‘Jenna put us on her back’: Pitz again leads Hawkettes past rival Centennial