Winning for the third time in its last four meets, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team rolled to a 10-1 victory over visiting Southeast Polk on Thursday. All 10 of the Jaguars' wins came in straight sets. They lost a total of just 20 games in those matches. Southeast Polk's lone victory came at No. 5 doubles. "It was great to close out our … [Read more...] about Centennial girls’ team rolls to 10-1 victory over S.E. Polk, gears up for postseason
Spring
‘It was great to recognize them’: Jaguars honor seniors before falling to Johnston
The seniors on the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team were honored at Monday's meet against visiting Johnston. "We had the chance to celebrate our seniors and honor the incredible impact they’ve had on our program," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "Their leadership and positivity have been key in helping build the culture of our team, and it was … [Read more...] about ‘It was great to recognize them’: Jaguars honor seniors before falling to Johnston
Jaguars post 8-3 win over Iowa Alliance Conference South Division champion
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team won four of the five matches that were decided by a third-set super tiebreaker and defeated visiting Ottumwa, 8-3, in a non-conference meet on Friday. The Jaguars raised their overall record to 5-6. It was the first dual loss for the Bulldogs (7-1), who had wrapped up the Iowa Alliance Conference South Division … [Read more...] about Jaguars post 8-3 win over Iowa Alliance Conference South Division champion
‘It was a great win!’: Jaguars end losing skid with 10-1 victory over North Polk
A non-conference meet proved to be just what the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team needed to get back on the winning track. The Jaguars ended a four-meet losing streak--all of them against CIML Conference opponents--with a 10-1 victory over visiting North Polk on Thursday. They raised their overall record to 4-6, while the Comets dropped to 2-5 on the … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great win!’: Jaguars end losing skid with 10-1 victory over North Polk
Valley girls defeat Centennial to remain perfect in CIML Conference play
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team has played a gauntlet of tough opponents in the CIML Conference this season. On Tuesday, the Jaguars played the best of them all. Centennial traveled to Valley to face the undefeated Tigers and dropped an 11-0 decision. Valley swept all 11 of the matches in straight sets. The Tigers improved to 5-0 in the … [Read more...] about Valley girls defeat Centennial to remain perfect in CIML Conference play
‘I’m proud of how everyone stepped up’: Depleted Jaguars fall at Waukee, 10-1
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team ended a tough stretch of three meets in four days with back-to-back losses on the road against quality opponents from the CIML Conference. The Jaguars dropped an 11-0 decision at Dowling Catholic on Thursday before falling at Waukee, 10-1, on Friday. They are now 1-4 in the conference and 3-5 overall. Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of how everyone stepped up’: Depleted Jaguars fall at Waukee, 10-1
Peterson wins both of her matches, but Jaguars drop 8-3 decision to Urbandale
Despite a pair of wins from Samara Peterson, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team dropped an 8-3 decision to visiting Urbandale in a CIML Conference meet on Tuesday. The J-Hawks won four of the six singles matches and four of the five doubles matches. They improved to 2-2 in the conference and 5-2 overall, while Centennial's records dropped to 1-2 and … [Read more...] about Peterson wins both of her matches, but Jaguars drop 8-3 decision to Urbandale
‘Our team made big strides’: Jaguars see progress despite 11-0 loss to Waukee NW
The scores from Tuesday's meet at the Prairie Ridge courts didn't reflect the progress of the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. The Jaguars opened CIML Conference play with an 11-0 loss to visiting Waukee Northwest, but Centennial coach Alli Gustafson felt like her team played much better against the Wolves than it did back on April 8. Four months … [Read more...] about ‘Our team made big strides’: Jaguars see progress despite 11-0 loss to Waukee NW
Centennial girls roll to 11-0 win over Fort Dodge, will face Waukee NW, Ankeny next
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team began a busy week in impressive fashion. The Jaguars rolled to an 11-0 victory over visiting Fort Dodge in a non-conference meet on Monday at the Prairie Ridge courts. They raised their record to 2-1, while the Dodgers dropped to 0-3. "The team as a whole had a great performance tonight, sweeping the meet and … [Read more...] about Centennial girls roll to 11-0 win over Fort Dodge, will face Waukee NW, Ankeny next
Centennial girls top Hempstead, fall to Iowa City West at Jaguar Kickoff Quad
Friday was an historic day at the Prairie Ridge tennis courts. The Ankeny Centennial girls' team hosted the Jaguar Kickoff Quadrangular that also included Dubuque Hempstead, Iowa City West and Valley. It marked the beginning of the first-ever fall season for girls' tennis, which was previously played in the spring. "It was a great day to kick off the … [Read more...] about Centennial girls top Hempstead, fall to Iowa City West at Jaguar Kickoff Quad
ACHS to host Jaguar Kickoff Quadrangular Friday as girls’ tennis moves to fall sport
It may seem like the girls' tennis season ended just a couple of months ago. And, in fact, it did. Now, with the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union moving girls' tennis to a fall sport, Ankeny Centennial coach Alli Gustafson and her players are gearing up for their second season of 2025. Centennial will host the Jaguar Kickoff Quadrangular against … [Read more...] about ACHS to host Jaguar Kickoff Quadrangular Friday as girls’ tennis moves to fall sport
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Emmarie Becker, Centennial girls’ soccer
Junior midfielder Emmarie Becker helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to a 15-4-2 record this season. The Jaguars advanced to the Class 3A semifinals of last week's state tournament before dropping a 2-1 decision to Linn-Mar (Marion) at the Lied Recreation Fields in Ames. Becker scored five goals and had four assists on the season. She scored … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Emmarie Becker, Centennial girls’ soccer
Centennial standouts Balashaitis, Martin named to Class 3A all-tournament team
Seniors Maddison Balashaitis and Ava Martin of the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team were both named to the Class 3A all-tournament team on Saturday at the Cyclone Sports Complex in Ames. Balashaitis, a defender, was selected to the squad for the second straight year. She scored a goal and also converted a penalty kick in the shootout in the Jaguars' … [Read more...] about Centennial standouts Balashaitis, Martin named to Class 3A all-tournament team
‘I’m heartbroken for our team’: Jaguars fall to Linn-Mar on Roberts’ spectacular shot
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team had state championship aspirations in 2025, but the Jaguars' hopes fell just short. It was a deep shot in the 76th minute by Abi Roberts of Linn-Mar (Marion) that ended Centennial’s season on Thursday as the third-ranked Jaguars dropped a 2-1 decision in the Class 3A semifinals at … [Read more...] about ‘I’m heartbroken for our team’: Jaguars fall to Linn-Mar on Roberts’ spectacular shot
Becker scores tying goal, then makes huge save as Jaguars top Johnston in PKs
Emmarie Becker found a new way to help the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team on a rainy Tuesday night. After scoring the tying goal in the 72nd minute, the junior midfielder eventually moved to the goalkeeper position during a shootout and came up with a crucial save as the third-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 6 Johnston, 3-2, in a Class 3A quarterfinal … [Read more...] about Becker scores tying goal, then makes huge save as Jaguars top Johnston in PKs
‘We’re incredibly proud of her’: Peterson earns 8th-place finish at state tourney
Ankeny Centennial junior Samara Peterson has been dealing with a back injury for most of the season. On Saturday, the pain finally became too much. Peterson was forced to withdraw from her final match in the Class 2A singles division of the girls' state tennis tournament at Iowa City. She finished in eighth place. "We’re incredibly proud of her for … [Read more...] about ‘We’re incredibly proud of her’: Peterson earns 8th-place finish at state tourney
‘We just can’t take anything for granted’: Jaguars rout Roosevelt, advance to state
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There were two completely different vibes on the sideline after the first 40 minutes of play in Friday's Class 3A Region 3 girls' soccer championship game. The Ankeny Centennial players were dancing and clapping along with Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” blasting over the Ankeny Stadium speakers. The Des Moines Roosevelt … [Read more...] about ‘We just can’t take anything for granted’: Jaguars rout Roosevelt, advance to state
‘They were out for vengeance’: No. 6 Ames boys avenge loss, end Jaguars’ season
The Ames boys' soccer team that showed up for Thursday's Class 4A substate final was the same squad that lost to Ankeny Centennial 24 days ago on its home pitch. The sixth-ranked Little Cyclones just played with a lot more energy in the rematch. Ames avenged a 4-2 loss on May 5 by defeating No. 9 Centennial, 2-1, with a trip to the state tournament on … [Read more...] about ‘They were out for vengeance’: No. 6 Ames boys avenge loss, end Jaguars’ season
Jaguars cruise past depleted Urbandale squad, will host Roosevelt in regional final
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team took advantage of a depleted opponent on Wednesday to move one victory away from another trip to the Class 3A state tournament. The third-ranked Jaguars scored a season-high nine goals and rolled to a 9-0 victory over Urbandale in a Class 3A regional semifinal at Ankeny Stadium. The J-Hawks had not allowed more … [Read more...] about Jaguars cruise past depleted Urbandale squad, will host Roosevelt in regional final
‘This is what you work for all year’: Jackson wins 200, anchors Jaguars’ winning 4×100
The Ankeny boys' track team stole most of the headlines on Saturday in the Class 4A state meet. But Braeden Jackson and the Ankeny Centennial sprinters made plenty of noise, too. Jackson won a state title in the 200, anchored his team to another victory in the 4x100 relay, and led Centennial to a fourth-place finish in the team standings. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘This is what you work for all year’: Jackson wins 200, anchors Jaguars’ winning 4×100