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
Boys' Track
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
‘Our program is in a really good spot’: Jaguars win SMR, place 3rd in Class 4A
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
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
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
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
Uhl races to victory in 400, helps Jaguars to third-place finish at Ames
The lone victory for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team on Tuesday came from an unexpected source. Ryan Uhl raced to a win in the 400 in the Hi Covey Relays at Ames. He posted a time of 52.42 seconds. "Ryan volunteered for the race, had a personal record and a first-place finish," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. The Jaguars placed third in the … [Read more...] about Uhl races to victory in 400, helps Jaguars to third-place finish at Ames
Collins, Johnson lead Centennial boys to team crown at Brooks Relays
Even at less than full strength, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team made an emphatic statement on Saturday. The Jaguars claimed their second title in five days by winning the Brooks Relays at Valley. They finished with 135 points. "We're just trying to get through the season," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "We have some injuries, and we're … [Read more...] about Collins, Johnson lead Centennial boys to team crown at Brooks Relays
Centennial boys win 9 events, easily capture team title at Cub Relays
The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team dominated the Cub Relays on Tuesday at Nevada. The Jaguars won nine events and easily captured the team title of the Class A division with 446.5 points. Mason City was second in the eight-team field with 346.5. "It was a great effort by all in not-so-great conditions," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "The … [Read more...] about Centennial boys win 9 events, easily capture team title at Cub Relays
‘I think we’ll be strong in a lot of areas’: Jaguars already off to good start
The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team showed on Monday that it's more than ready to compete this season. The Jaguars won a pair of relays in the Dickinson Relays at Cedar Falls. They also had five other top-eight finishes. "It was a great effort by everyone," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "Placing in the top eight there is an … [Read more...] about ‘I think we’ll be strong in a lot of areas’: Jaguars already off to good start
Ankeny, Centennial athletes compete at Iowa Track and Field Carnival
There's nothing that could replace having your entire track and field season wiped out by a global pandemic. But Mike Jay wanted to at least try something. Jay, the lead PA announcer for the Drake Relays and the high school state meet, organized a track and field meet for those Iowans who wanted an opportunity to compete after losing their season to … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial athletes compete at Iowa Track and Field Carnival