After winning a Class 4A state title in the 4x200 relay on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team nearly added another crown in the 4x100 relay on Saturday. The Jaguars raced to a second-place finish on a sunny afternoon at Drake Stadium, posting a time of 41.34 seconds that broke the previous meet record. The team consisted of Elijah Porter, … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 2nd in 4×100 relay, tie for 7th in Class 4A with North Scott, Waukee
Boys' Track
‘We’ve got more work to do’: Hawks win 3 events, take early lead in Class 4A race
The Ankeny boys' track team didn't just make a huge statement on Thursday. The Hawks made several of them. Ankeny won the first three finals on the track in the Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium, double-placed in the high jump and took a commanding lead in the team race heading into Friday's events in the three-day competition. The Hawks have … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got more work to do’: Hawks win 3 events, take early lead in Class 4A race
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Connor Welsch, Centennial boys’ track
Senior Connor Welsch of the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team is one of the state's top sprinters. He won the 100 in a state qualifying meet on Thursday at Waukee Northwest, setting a school record and posting the fastest time among all Class 4A qualifiers with a clocking of 10.66 seconds. Welsch anchored the winning 4x200 relay and ran on the victorious … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Connor Welsch, Centennial boys’ track
‘We had an amazing night’: Centennial teams break 3 school records at SQM
A weather delay of nearly an hour couldn't slow down the Ankeny Centennial track teams. Both squads turned in some stellar performances on Thursday in a Class 4A state qualifying meet at Waukee Northwest. The meet was halted at about 5:15 p.m. due to rain and lightning, but was able to resume 50 minutes later. "We had an amazing night of competition!" … [Read more...] about ‘We had an amazing night’: Centennial teams break 3 school records at SQM
‘There’s more to see out of us’: Jaguars sprint to trio of top-5 finishes at Drake
While the Ankeny boys' track team grabbed many of the headlines at the Drake Relays over the last two days, its crosstown rival showed off its strength in the sprint events as well. Ankeny Centennial earned a trio of top-five finishes in the boys' division, highlighted by a third-place finish in the 4x200 relay on Friday. The foursome of Robert McGhee, … [Read more...] about ‘There’s more to see out of us’: Jaguars sprint to trio of top-5 finishes at Drake
Centennial boys win 9 events, including 5 relays, at Jaguar Invitational
The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team tuned up for the Drake Relays by hosting the Jaguar Invitational on Tuesday. The Jaguars won nine events, including five relays, against a field that included four other squads. Centennial swept the jumping events. Kaleb Kruzich won the high jump with a leap of 5 feet 10 inches, while Zechariah Howe took the long … [Read more...] about Centennial boys win 9 events, including 5 relays, at Jaguar Invitational
‘I really liked Wartburg’s program’: Centennial’s Owens to run for Knights
Ankeny Centennial distance runner Brendan Owens has signed a letter of intent to compete for Wartburg College. Owens, a senior, will join the Knights' men's cross country and track teams in the fall. "I looked at four schools," said Owens. "Once I got down to two, the decision was pretty tough. But I really liked Wartburg's program and coach." Owens … [Read more...] about ‘I really liked Wartburg’s program’: Centennial’s Owens to run for Knights
Jaguars win 4 events, place 2nd overall among 8 teams at ADM Tiger Invitational
Aided by four first-place finishes, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track squad earned runner-up honors among eight teams in the ADM Tiger Invitational on Thursday at Adel. The host Tigers won the meet with 194 points. Centennial finished with 113.5 points. Lawson Langford and Max Snyder each ran on a pair of winning relays. They teamed up with Braeden … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4 events, place 2nd overall among 8 teams at ADM Tiger Invitational
Centennial boys capture 7 events, including 4 relays, at Early Bird Relays
The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team won seven events in the Early Bird Relays on Thursday at Waukee Northwest. No team scores were kept at the meet, where Ankeny also competed. The Hawks withheld most of their top athletes with the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational coming up on Saturday. "We got some younger guys that have been working really hard … [Read more...] about Centennial boys capture 7 events, including 4 relays, at Early Bird Relays
Jaguars win 6 events, capture Class A division and overall title at Roth Relays
The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team won the Class A division and also captured the overall crown in the Steve Roth Relays on Thursday at Washington. The Jaguars racked up 175 points in the large-school division. Mediapolis won the Class B title and placed second overall among 28 teams with 152 points, while Columbus Junction took the Class C crown and … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 6 events, capture Class A division and overall title at Roth Relays
Centennial boys return 16 state qualifiers, led by deep group of sprinters
Due to some balmy spring weather, the season is already off to a good start for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. "This has been the most the team has been able to train outdoors this early," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "The coaches and athletes have taken advantage of it." The Jaguars tied for 25th place in last year's Class 4A state meet … [Read more...] about Centennial boys return 16 state qualifiers, led by deep group of sprinters
Centennial’s Schermerhorn signs letter of intent to run for Iowa State next year
When Ankeny Centennial distance runner AJ Schermerhorn started his search for a potential college, Iowa State was one of the schools that attracted his interest. Schermerhorn, a three-time state cross country qualifier and a two-time placewinner, eventually signed with the Cyclones. "I had a list of about 15 schools with a range of some I really wanted … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Schermerhorn signs letter of intent to run for Iowa State next year
Centennial’s Pratt wins long jump, while Sandquist takes discus at Norwalk SQM
The rainy conditions provided a challenge for the Ankeny Centennial track teams on Thursday. Both squads overcame a steady drizzle to earn top-four finishes in a Class 4A state qualifying meet at Norwalk. The Jaguars placed third among eight teams in the girls' division with 117.5 points. "We had a great meet with strong performances across the board … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Pratt wins long jump, while Sandquist takes discus at Norwalk SQM
Centennial boys win 7 events at Jaguar Invitational in field of 6 teams
Ankeny Centennial senior Sam Dietz tuned up for this week's Drake Relays by winning the shot put in the Jaguar Invitational on Tuesday at Northview Stadium. Dietz won the event with a toss of 51 feet 5 inches. He will compete on Thursday afternoon at the Relays. Tuesday's meet attracted a field of six squads. No team scores were kept. Centennial won … [Read more...] about Centennial boys win 7 events at Jaguar Invitational in field of 6 teams
‘We have some talented individuals’: Jaguars need to stay healthy, be patient
Two of the returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team are still busy playing for the boys' basketball squad. Juniors Drake Dittmar and Connor Welsch are both reserve guards for the Jaguars, who will face Waukee Northwest in a Class 4A quarterfinal on Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena. Welsch has played in all 23 … [Read more...] about ‘We have some talented individuals’: Jaguars need to stay healthy, be patient
Centennial girls place 2nd, while Jaguar boys finish 4th at Fort Dodge SQM
On a hot and humid night at Fort Dodge, the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team accomplished all of its goals--and then some--in a Class 4A state qualifying meet. The Jaguars placed second among eight teams with 142 points. Ames won the team title with 160.5. "It was a great meet for us," said Centennial girls' coach Andrew Kruzich. "We really exceeded … [Read more...] about Centennial girls place 2nd, while Jaguar boys finish 4th at Fort Dodge SQM
Jaguars win 4×200 and 4×400 relays, place 4th overall at Hi Covey Relays
A pair of relay victories helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team to a fourth-place finish overall in the Hi Covey Relays on Tuesday at Ames. The Jaguars won both the 4x200 and 4x400 relays. They finished with 108 points in the seven-team meet. Iowa City High captured the team title with 203 points. Cedar Rapids Kennedy was second with … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4×200 and 4×400 relays, place 4th overall at Hi Covey Relays
‘We’re just trying to be competitive’: Jags look to rebuild after historic season
Coming off the best season in school history, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team faces a rebuilding year in 2022. The Jaguars placed third in last year's Class 4A state meet with 61 points, the school's highest finish ever. Many of the standouts from that team, however, will have to be replaced. State runners-up Tommy Collins (400) and D'Eric Smith … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just trying to be competitive’: Jags look to rebuild after historic season
Centennial’s Smith named 4A At-Large Coach of the Year by IATC
Ankeny Centennial boys' track coach Nate Smith has been named a Class 4A At-Large Coach of the Year by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. Smith guided Centennial to a third-place finish in last month's Class 4A state meet, the school's highest finish ever. The Jaguars racked up 61 points, finishing behind only Cedar Falls (87) and Dowling Catholic … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Smith named 4A At-Large Coach of the Year by IATC
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 138
Standout runner Tommy Collins of Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny girls' coach Thomas Cotter recapped the state track meet on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm also interviews Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax about his team's huge victory at Waukee in a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 138