Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Track

‘There’s more to see out of us’: Jaguars sprint to trio of top-5 finishes at Drake

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

‘Our program is in a really good spot’: Jaguars win SMR, place 3rd in Class 4A

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Tommy Collins held the Class 4A third-place trophy high above his head as he stood on the track at Drake Stadium. Collins and his teammates on the Ankeny Centennial boys' track squad had accomplished one of their goals. "I'm just so proud of the team. It was one heck of a run," Collins said after the Jaguars earned a third-place finish in the state … [Read more...] about ‘Our program is in a really good spot’: Jaguars win SMR, place 3rd in Class 4A

Jaguars ‘ready to go and leave it all out on the track’ after winning district title

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team has put itself into position to make a lot of noise at next week's Class 4A state meet. The Jaguars won a district title on Thursday at Urbandale with 152 points, finishing 18 points ahead of Southeast Polk. They qualified for the state meet in 13 events, including all seven relays. Centennial is among the top … [Read more...] about Jaguars ‘ready to go and leave it all out on the track’ after winning district title

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Tommy Collins, Centennial boys’ track

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Ankeny Centennial senior Tommy Collins earned a pair of medals in the Drake Relays on Thursday at Drake Stadium. Collins placed fourth in the 400 in a time of 49.28 seconds. He later anchored the Jaguars to a runner-up finish in the 4x400 relay, running the final leg in 48.69. Here is some inside info on Collins: You told me on Thursday that you … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Tommy Collins, Centennial boys’ track

After placing 4th in 400, Collins anchors Jaguars to runner-up finish in 4×400

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Ankeny Centennial's Tommy Collins screamed with joy as he crossed the finish line in the boys' 4x400 relay at the Drake Relays on Thursday. Collins ran the final 400 meters in 48.69 seconds, surging ahead of Valley's Matthew Mahoney and allowing the Jaguars to place second in the event with a time of 3:22.54. "We're definitely super happy about the … [Read more...] about After placing 4th in 400, Collins anchors Jaguars to runner-up finish in 4×400