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
Jaguars
‘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
Centennial’s Bruhl chooses baseball over wrestling, will play for NIACC next year
Ankeny Centennial's Lucas Bruhl is a two-time state placewinner on the wrestling mat. His future, though, is on the baseball field. The senior shortstop has verbally committed to play next year at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. He announced his decision on social media Monday. "I visited a few other community colleges and a couple … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Bruhl chooses baseball over wrestling, will play for NIACC next year
‘It could be a special season’: Ankeny girls’ wrestling team sets higher goals
The expectations have been raised for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program. Ankeny advanced eight wrestlers to the state tournament in its inaugural season and graduated just one of those qualifiers. The team has also added a pair of talented newcomers in freshman Hayden Bratland and junior Haylee McGrew, who both won matches over the second-ranked girls … [Read more...] about ‘It could be a special season’: Ankeny girls’ wrestling team sets higher goals
Centennial trio, Ankeny quartet receive all-state volleyball honors from IGCA
Several volleyball players from Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have received postseason honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association and the coaches in the CIML Conference. Centennial standouts Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt were both selected to the Class 5A all-state first team by the IGCA. The junior outside hitters led the Jaguars to a 31-7 record … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny quartet receive all-state volleyball honors from IGCA
Ankeny’s Peck takes 3rd in 200 individual medley, leads team to 9th-place finish
In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes. It might be time to add a top-10 finish for the Ankeny girls' swimming team to that famous quote by Benjamin Franklin. Ankeny placed ninth in the state meet on Saturday at the Marshalltown YMCA with 105 points. It was the team's 10th consecutive top-10 finish and its first under coach Dustin … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Peck takes 3rd in 200 individual medley, leads team to 9th-place finish
‘THAT WAS A BATTLE’: Ankeny edges Jaguars again, earns shot to play for title
Ankeny's Jacob Mohrfeld couldn't believe what had just happened at the UNI-Dome. "It doesn't feel real," Mohrfeld said. "I can't believe it, man. It's crazy." The senior defensive back blocked a field goal and had one of his team's three interceptions as the Hawks knocked off crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, 10-7, in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday … [Read more...] about ‘THAT WAS A BATTLE’: Ankeny edges Jaguars again, earns shot to play for title
Ankeny swimmers advance to state meet finals in 5 of 8 individual events
The Ankeny girls' swimming team advanced to Saturday's finals at the state meet in five of the eight individual events. Seniors Anja Peck and Josie Parton both qualified in two events during Friday's preliminaries at the Marshalltown YMCA. Junior Sophie Loeffler was the Hawkettes' other individual qualifier. Peck qualified for the "A" final in the 200 … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers advance to state meet finals in 5 of 8 individual events
An analysis of the Jag-Hawk showdown in Class 5A semifinals at UNI-Dome
For only the second time ever, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial football teams will meet in the playoffs. In 2016, the Jaguars posted a 34-24 victory in the opening round. This time, the stakes will be considerably higher. The crosstown rivals will collide under the bright lights of the UNI-Dome in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday. Kickoff is at 7 … [Read more...] about An analysis of the Jag-Hawk showdown in Class 5A semifinals at UNI-Dome
‘I can’t wait to be a Saint!’: Centennial’s Boyle to play softball at Maryville
Ankeny Centennial senior Cora Boyle has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Maryville University (Mo.), an NCAA Division II school that competes in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. "I looked at a couple schools before I went on my visit to Maryville," said Boyle. "All those coaches and universities were very nice, but as cliché as it may sound … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to be a Saint!’: Centennial’s Boyle to play softball at Maryville
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 239 (Part 2)
In part two of the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down Friday's Jag-Hawk showdown in the Class 5A semifinals at the UNI-Dome with junior running back Braeden Jackson and senior defensive back Nate Christiansen of Ankeny Centennial and junior quarterback Luke Anderson and … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 239 (Part 2)
Ankeny swimmers advance 3 relays, 12 individual qualifiers to state meet
The Ankeny girls' swimming team has qualified for the state meet in all three relays and also boasts a total of 12 individual qualifiers in the eight swimming events. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes placed second in a regional meet on Saturday at Mason City with 438 points. They qualified for the state meet in every event except for diving, which was held on … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers advance 3 relays, 12 individual qualifiers to state meet
‘We’re peaking at the right time’: Jaguars rally past Bettendorf, will meet Ankeny
The Ankeny Centennial football team brought the energy in the second half. The Bettendorf players didn't know what hit them. Thirteenth-ranked Centennial scored 41 unanswered points in the final two quarters and rolled to a 41-14 victory at No. 5 Bettendorf in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Friday. Elijah Porter ran for three touchdowns and also caught … [Read more...] about ‘We’re peaking at the right time’: Jaguars rally past Bettendorf, will meet Ankeny
Centennial’s Kolln, Rawlings to continue baseball careers at junior college level
Ankeny Centennial seniors Leyton Kolln and Tripp Rawlings will continue their baseball careers at the junior college level. Kolln recently committed to play for Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb. Rawlings has committed to Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls. The duo helped Centennial to the best season in school history in 2023. The … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Kolln, Rawlings to continue baseball careers at junior college level
Centennial standouts Miller, Pratt earn spots on Class 5A all-tournament team
Ankeny Centennial juniors Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt have been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team at the state volleyball tournament in Coralville. Pratt earned a spot on the squad for the second straight year. The duo led Centennial to a second consecutive appearance in the Class 5A semifinals. The Jaguars finished the season with a 31-7 … [Read more...] about Centennial standouts Miller, Pratt earn spots on Class 5A all-tournament team