Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Jaguars

No. 1 Wolves win showdown against Centennial boys behind Sandfort’s 28

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Iowa's Payton Sandfort is going through a dreadful shooting slump, having missed all 19 of his attempts from the field in the Hawkeyes' three Big Ten Conference games. His brother, Pryce, is not having any problems finding the basket. The younger Sandfort, who will also play for Iowa next year, poured in 28 points to lead the top-ranked Waukee … [Read more...] about No. 1 Wolves win showdown against Centennial boys behind Sandfort’s 28

‘We sure didn’t show any rust’: Clark, Crawford lead Jaguars past Waukee NW

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There was no holiday rust for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The sixth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 23-7 lead and rolled to a 44-30 victory over No. 7 Waukee Northwest in a CIML Conference game on Tuesday at Centennial. "We've been having great practices throughout the break so we were ready to finally get back out on the court and … [Read more...] about ‘We sure didn’t show any rust’: Clark, Crawford lead Jaguars past Waukee NW

‘Our girls continue to impress’: Ankeny extends winning streak to 10 matches

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team doesn't look like a first-year varsity program to most outside observers. Ankeny extended its dual-meet winning streak to 10 matches by defeating a pair of opponents on Tuesday at West Marshall. Coach Dustin Roland's team rolled to a 70-6 victory over Marshalltown and a 57-24 win over the host Trojans. Ankeny raised its … [Read more...] about ‘Our girls continue to impress’: Ankeny extends winning streak to 10 matches

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)

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When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in March of 2020, Ankeny Fanatic took advantage of the unexpected break from high school sports to publish the first of its many all-time Ankeny teams, recognizing the best boys' basketball players in the community's history. This has since turned into a three-year project. Ankeny Fanatic has now published its … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)

Centennial’s Heckenlaible verbally commits to play soccer at St. Louis

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer standout Andrew Heckenlaible looked beyond the next level when picking a college. He was looking for a school that could get him to the professional level. Heckenlaible found what he desired in St. Louis University. "I'm very excited to announce my verbal commitment to St. Louis University where I plan to further my … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Heckenlaible verbally commits to play soccer at St. Louis

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Gia Blaser, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

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Senior Gia Blaser of the Ankeny girls' wrestling team currently boasts a 20-6 record. She ranks second on the squad in wins behind Nora Bockes, who is 21-4. Blaser started the season at 145 pounds, but has since dropped down to 140. She placed second in the Raccoon River tournament on Dec. 17 at Adel. Here is some inside info on Blaser: How is the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Gia Blaser, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

‘They bowled amazing’: S.E. Polk teams sweep dual meet against Ankeny

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There was no home lanes advantage for the Ankeny bowling teams on Tuesday at Great Escape. Both Ankeny squads were soundly defeated in a CIML Conference dual meet by Southeast Polk, which also uses Great Escape as its home venue. "It was a rough day for both teams," said Ankeny coach Lane Richtsmeier. "We just ran into a buzzsaw." The Rams won the … [Read more...] about ‘They bowled amazing’: S.E. Polk teams sweep dual meet against Ankeny

IN THE ZONE: Winkel scores career-high 30, leads No. 4 Jaguars past Ankeny boys

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It's been a dream season thus far for Luke Winkel and the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. On Tuesday night, it only got better. Winkel poured in a career-high 30 points and the fourth-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the second half for a 65-46 victory at Ankeny. The win allowed Centennial to take a 10-9 lead in the all-time series and avenged … [Read more...] about IN THE ZONE: Winkel scores career-high 30, leads No. 4 Jaguars past Ankeny boys

‘We have to fight’: Jaguars seek mental toughness after losing to Valley, S.E. Polk

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It's not often that a wrestling team would want to be compared to the NFL's Detroit Lions. But that's exactly who Ankeny Centennial coach Jay Groth compared his squad to following Tuesday's triangular meet at Southeast Polk. "We've got to get healthy," Groth said after the Jaguars suffered losses to Southeast Polk and Valley. "We have three varsity … [Read more...] about ‘We have to fight’: Jaguars seek mental toughness after losing to Valley, S.E. Polk

Motivated Jaguars dominate boards, roll past Ankeny to avenge last year’s loss

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Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong didn't have to remind his players what happened the last time the Jaguars played at crosstown rival Ankeny. Last February, the Hawkettes posted a 49-45 victory to defeat Centennial for the first time ever. "That was definitely some extra motivation," Centennial senior Averi Porter said after the … [Read more...] about Motivated Jaguars dominate boards, roll past Ankeny to avenge last year’s loss

Hawk swimmers tumble to No. 2 Ames, despite Swanepoel’s pair of pool records

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The fourth-ranked Ankeny boys' swimming team dropped a 108-62 decision at No. 2 Ames in a non-conference dual meet on Tuesday. The Little Cyclones won nine of the 11 events, including all three relays. The Hawks dropped to 0-3-1 on the season. "Our team did pretty well," said Ankeny assistant coach Steve Jones, who is directing the team during the … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers tumble to No. 2 Ames, despite Swanepoel’s pair of pool records

Ankeny girls roll to 72-6 victory over Johnston, improve overall record to 8-2

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team will take an 8-2 record into the holiday break, including a 3-0 mark in the CIML Conference. Ankeny rolled to a 72-6 victory over Johnston on Tuesday at Urbandale. Only three of the matches were contested. "They were very limited in numbers," Ankeny coach Dustin Roland said of the Dragons. Ankeny got a fall from Nora … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls roll to 72-6 victory over Johnston, improve overall record to 8-2

Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball showdowns

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The Jag-Hawk basketball rivalry will resume on Tuesday night at Ankeny, where all four teams will be looking to build some momentum heading into the holiday break. While the girls' all-time series has been dominated by Centennial, the boys' series has been a back-and-forth affair that is now tied at nine wins apiece. Both the Hawks and Jaguars have won as … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Jag-Hawk basketball showdowns

Bruhl leads Jaguars to runner-up finish, named most outstanding wrestler

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A strong performance in the Don Miller Invitational led to an enjoyable trip home from Fort Dodge for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers on Saturday. Only one thing would have made it even better. "If we beat Fort Dodge, it would have been a really good day," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "So we had a pretty good day." The fifth-ranked Dodgers won … [Read more...] about Bruhl leads Jaguars to runner-up finish, named most outstanding wrestler

Ankeny girls crown 6 champs at Adel, claim first tourney title in program history

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Saturday was another historic day for the fledgling Ankeny girls' wrestling team. Ankeny crowned six individual champions and captured the first tournament title in program history by winning the Raccoon River Invitational at Adel. The team racked up 222 points. Raccoon River was second in the eight-team event with 178 points. It had lost to Ankeny in … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls crown 6 champs at Adel, claim first tourney title in program history

‘It felt so good to finally get a win’: Ankeny swimmers capture Little Hawk Invite title

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The Ankeny boys' swimming team won only two events but came away with the overall crown in the Little Hawk Invitational on Saturday at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center in Iowa City. The fourth-ranked Hawks racked up 373 points in the seven-team meet. No. 3 Pleasant Valley was second with 331.5, edging No. 8 Iowa City West by three points for the runner-up … [Read more...] about ‘It felt so good to finally get a win’: Ankeny swimmers capture Little Hawk Invite title

‘Upper Iowa really stood out to me’: Churchman to play for Peacocks

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Ankeny Centennial baseball standout Damin Churchman has verbally committed to play for Upper Iowa. Churchman said he looked at many schools before choosing the Peacocks. "Most of them were in state," he said. "But Upper Iowa really stood out to me. I felt a quick bond with the coaching staff, and ultimately the way they run their baseball program and … [Read more...] about ‘Upper Iowa really stood out to me’: Churchman to play for Peacocks

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Luke Winkel, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Luke Winkel has helped the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 5-1 record, including a 4-1 mark in the CIML Conference. He scored nine points on Friday as the Jaguars suffered their first loss of the season at No. 4 Waukee, where they nearly overcame an 18-point deficit before dropping a 55-52 decision. Winkel is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Luke Winkel, Centennial boys’ basketball

‘It was a great team effort’: Jaguars nearly pull off miraculous rally at No. 4 Waukee

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball players walked off the court Friday with their heads held high. The third-ranked Jaguars suffered their first loss of the season, but nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback at No. 4 Waukee. After trailing by as many as 18 points, Centennial twice closed to within two points in the fourth quarter before the … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great team effort’: Jaguars nearly pull off miraculous rally at No. 4 Waukee