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
Spring
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
‘I am really proud of us’: Postma, Jaguars close out season with win at Cedar Falls
Once the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team found the net, the third-ranked Jaguars cruised to an impressive road win on Tuesday. Centennial scored two goals in the final 4 minutes of the first half and went on to post a 4-0 victory over No. 12 Cedar Falls in a non-conference game to close out the regular season. The loss snapped a five-game winning … [Read more...] about ‘I am really proud of us’: Postma, Jaguars close out season with win at Cedar Falls
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kylin Smith, Ankeny Centennial girls’ track
Senior Kylin Smith helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team to a second-place finish in a Class 4A state qualifying meet on Thursday at Council Bluffs Lincoln. Smith won the 400 hurdles in a time of 1:04.53, which broke her own school record. She teamed up with Anna Woods, Taylor Gilbreaith and Ava Barten to win the shuttle hurdle relay in 1:03.60, … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kylin Smith, Ankeny Centennial girls’ track
‘We felt it was a great team win’: Jaguars dominate, snap S.E. Polk’s winning streak
The Southeast Polk girls' soccer team entered Friday's game against visiting Ankeny Centennial as one of the hottest squads in the CIML Conference. The 11th-ranked Rams had won their previous five games, the second-longest current streak in the league. Only No. 2 Valley, which had won six straight contests, was riding a longer streak. But Southeast … [Read more...] about ‘We felt it was a great team win’: Jaguars dominate, snap S.E. Polk’s winning streak
‘It was a great way to end the season’: Jags shut out S.E. Polk, tie for 2nd in CIML
The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team appears to have all the momentum in the world. Now, the Jaguars just need to stay sharp during their 10-day layoff. Tenth-ranked Centennial closed out the regular season on Friday with a 3-0 victory over visiting Southeast Polk at Ankeny Stadium. The Jaguars finished 5-3 in the CIML Conference and improved to … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great way to end the season’: Jags shut out S.E. Polk, tie for 2nd in CIML
‘We are peaking at the right time’: Jaguars place 2nd in both divisions at SQM
The Ankeny Centennial track teams earned second-place finishes in a Class 4A state qualifying meet on Thursday at Council Bluffs Lincoln. Dowling Catholic captured both team titles. The Maroons won the boys' division with 213 points--24 more than Centennial--after losing to the Jaguars by one point at the CIML Conference meet on May 8. "The biggest … [Read more...] about ‘We are peaking at the right time’: Jaguars place 2nd in both divisions at SQM
Ridlen’s goal in 2nd half gives Centennial boys 1-0 victory over No. 9 Railsplitters
Junior Ben Ridlen scored his first goal of the season to give the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team a 1-0 victory at No. 9 Des Moines Lincoln in a non-conference game on Thursday. Ridlen found the net in the second half off an assist by Tate Duax, who leads the Jaguars with six assists. "It was a hard-fought, gritty game," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Ridlen’s goal in 2nd half gives Centennial boys 1-0 victory over No. 9 Railsplitters
Duax returns to lineup, helps lead Jaguars to 2-0 victory over No. 4 Johnston boys
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team already knows what to expect going into postseason play, but that’s not stopping the Jaguars from stockpiling some momentum in the home stretch of the regular season. Centennial netted a goal in each half while posting a clean sheet as the 10th-ranked Jaguars posted a 2-0 win over No. … [Read more...] about Duax returns to lineup, helps lead Jaguars to 2-0 victory over No. 4 Johnston boys
‘The result is a bit of a gut-punch’: Jaguars settle for 1-1 tie after Johnston’s late goal
For the second time in five days, the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team battled hard for 80 minutes only to come away with a tie. Tuesday's 1-1 draw at No. 7 Johnston was a lot more unsatisfying than Friday's 1-1 tie against No. 4 Waukee, which featured a tying goal with about 8 minutes left from Centennial senior Ava Martin--who became … [Read more...] about ‘The result is a bit of a gut-punch’: Jaguars settle for 1-1 tie after Johnston’s late goal
‘I always know what I’m capable of’: Jags’ Peterson earns 2nd trip to state tourney
Ankeny Centennial junior Samara Peterson is headed to the girls' state tennis tournament for the second time. Peterson, who qualified as a freshman in 2023 while playing doubles with Megan Yuan, won a Class 2A regional singles title on Monday at Ames. She posted a 6-4, 5-7, 6-0 victory over Johnston freshman Brianna Launderville in the final. "After … [Read more...] about ‘I always know what I’m capable of’: Jags’ Peterson earns 2nd trip to state tourney
‘It was a great end to our regular season’: Centennial girls edge Ames for 6-5 victory
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team had its two closest meets of the season on back-to-back days. After dropping a 6-5 decision at Southeast Polk on Thursday, the Jaguars rebounded on Friday with a 6-5 victory over Ames in a non-conference meet. Centennial took a 4-2 lead after singles against both opponents. The Jaguars were unable to get the two … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great end to our regular season’: Centennial girls edge Ames for 6-5 victory
‘That moment was amazing’: Jaguars tie Waukee on Martin’s record-breaking goal
It was only a matter of time before Ava Martin became the career scoring leader in Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer history. When the senior forward finally set the all-time record on Friday night, she did so in dramatic fashion. Martin scored off an assist from Emmarie Becker with about 8 minutes left to give the third-ranked Jaguars a 1-1 tie against … [Read more...] about ‘That moment was amazing’: Jaguars tie Waukee on Martin’s record-breaking goal