Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer star Andrew Heckenlaible has completed his high school career. After graduating early, Heckenlaible will leave on Monday to join the Minnesota United FC U19 Academy team. He'll spend the next six months playing against top-level talent before beginning his college career at St. Louis. "It's a great opportunity for … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a great opportunity for Truckie’: Jags’ star to join Minnesota United 19s
Spring
‘I knew that Cornell was the perfect fit’: Benkufsky to play tennis for Rams
Ankeny Centennial senior Jenna Benkufsky has committed to play tennis at Cornell College in Mount Vernon. It took Benkufsky a little while to find the right school for her. "I looked at a number schools within Iowa and one was no better than the other, but when I visited Cornell, I just knew that it was the school for me to continue not only my … [Read more...] about ‘I knew that Cornell was the perfect fit’: Benkufsky to play tennis for Rams
‘It was just a perfect fit for me!’: Peterson to play tennis for Northern Iowa
Ankeny Centennial senior Abbie Peterson will continue her tennis career at Northern Iowa. Peterson, a two-time state placewinner, said for awhile she had not planned on taking her game to the next level. "To be honest, I had not been playing tournaments or looking into playing in college until very recently," she said. "I was planning on getting into … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a perfect fit for me!’: Peterson to play tennis for Northern Iowa
‘It was a good fit in many ways’: Drefke picks golf over softball, commits to Augie
For many high school athletes, finding the right college to compete at involves several different factors. The decision for Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke was even tougher. The golf and softball standout had to pick a sport, too. In the end, Drefke elected to focus on just one of the two. She will play golf at Augustana University (S.D.). "I … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good fit in many ways’: Drefke picks golf over softball, commits to Augie
After Drake coach departs, Centennial’s Peterson decides to play for Iowa Central
Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis standout Caleb Peterson is heading to Fort Dodge on Monday to begin his college career at Iowa Central Community College. Peterson decided to go the junior college route after previously considering Drake. "I feel like it was somewhat of an easy decision with my other option Drake losing their coach and Iowa Central being … [Read more...] about After Drake coach departs, Centennial’s Peterson decides to play for Iowa Central
Centennial’s Gustafson named Class 2A girls’ tennis coach of the year
After her team enjoyed the best season in school history, Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson has been named the Class 2A coach of the year. Gustafson guided the Jaguars to a 12-3 record, capped off by a fourth-place finish in the Class 2A state team tournament. Six of her players also qualified for the individual state tournament, … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Gustafson named Class 2A girls’ tennis coach of the year
Centennial standouts Heckenlaible, Duax earn all-state honors from IHSSCA
Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer stars Andrew Heckenlaible and Ty Duax have received all-state honors from the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association. Heckenlaible, a junior forward, was named to the Class 4A first team. He racked up a team-high 12 goals and 31 points while helping the Jaguars to a 10-6 record and a trip to the Class 4A … [Read more...] about Centennial standouts Heckenlaible, Duax earn all-state honors from IHSSCA
‘It feels amazing’: Peterson siblings capture Class 2A state coed tennis title
It was only a matter of time before Ankeny Centennial's Abbie and Caleb Peterson won a state tennis title. On Tuesday, the Peterson siblings did it together. The duo posted a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Andrea Porubcin and Robert Matera of Bettendorf to win the Class 2A state coed championship. The tournament began in Marshalltown but was later moved indoors … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing’: Peterson siblings capture Class 2A state coed tennis title
Duax, Heckenlaible earn all-tournament honors for 2nd straight year
Ankeny Centennial standouts Ty Duax and Andrew Heckenlaible have been named to the all-tournament team at the boys' state soccer tournament for the second straight year. The junior duo was selected to the Class 4A squad following Saturday's championship game at Cownie Park. They were named to the 3A team a year ago. Duax and Heckenlaible helped … [Read more...] about Duax, Heckenlaible earn all-tournament honors for 2nd straight year
A FOGGY FINISH: Jaguars’ championship dreams end with 3-1 loss to Johnston
A magical postseason run for the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team came to an end on a foggy night at Cownie Park. The 10th-ranked Jaguars held a 1-0 halftime lead before No. 2 Johnston rallied for a 3-1 victory in the Class 4A semifinals on Thursday at the state tournament. The Dragons (17-3) spoiled Centennial's bid to pull off a third consecutive … [Read more...] about A FOGGY FINISH: Jaguars’ championship dreams end with 3-1 loss to Johnston
‘It just didn’t go our way’: Defending state champs bow out with 2-0 loss to NW
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players wore state tournament t-shirts with the motto "Leave it on the field" printed on the back of them. That's exactly what the eighth-ranked Jaguars did on Wednesday at Cownie Park. Defending champion Centennial closed out its season with a 2-0 loss to No. 1 Waukee Northwest in a Class 3A quarterfinal at the … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t go our way’: Defending state champs bow out with 2-0 loss to NW
‘Disrespected’ Centennial boys knock off No. 1 Valley to continue revenge tour
The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team had plenty of motivation heading into Wednesday's Class 4A quarterfinal against top-ranked Valley. On Tuesday, the Tigers provided some additional bulletin board material. When the game was rescheduled for Wednesday after being postponed due to rain 24 hours earlier, Centennial coach Brian Duax said he learned … [Read more...] about ‘Disrespected’ Centennial boys knock off No. 1 Valley to continue revenge tour
Ankeny girls fall to Dowling, while Jags tumble to Waukee NW in 3A quarters
The season came to an end on Wednesday afternoon for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer teams at Cownie Park. The second-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 1-0 decision to No. 7 Dowling Catholic in a Class 3A quarterfinal at the state tournament. The Maroons (11-6) avenged an earlier 2-0 loss to Ankeny (12-4-1). Lauren McCoy scored the … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls fall to Dowling, while Jags tumble to Waukee NW in 3A quarters
Without injured star, Centennial girls earn fourth-place finish in Class 2A tourney
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team ran into some bad luck on Tuesday before the start of the Class 2A state team tournament semifinals at Johnston. The Jaguars lost their No. 1 player, Abbie Peterson, to an ankle injury. "I just woke up (Monday) and went to practice and then after that it started really hurting," said Peterson, who placed second … [Read more...] about Without injured star, Centennial girls earn fourth-place finish in Class 2A tourney
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ty Duax, Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer
Junior midfielder/forward Ty Duax is one of the captains for the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team. He helped the Jaguars to a 2-1 victory at No. 4 Waukee Northwest in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. Duax has racked up 20 points this season on seven goals and six assists. He has helped lead his team to a 9-5 record. Duax, the son … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ty Duax, Ankeny Centennial boys’ soccer
‘She battled so toughly’: Peterson falls to Bettendorf’s Porubcin in 2A title match
Ankeny Centennial's Abbie Peterson finally ran into an opponent that could match her powerful shots stroke for stroke. The second-seeded Peterson dropped a 6-4, 7-6 decision to fourth-seeded Andrea Porubcin of Bettendorf in the championship match of the Class 2A singles division at the girls' state tennis tournament on Saturday. It was the first loss in … [Read more...] about ‘She battled so toughly’: Peterson falls to Bettendorf’s Porubcin in 2A title match
ON TO THE ‘SHIP: Peterson rolls past I.C. West’s Mascardo, will play for 2A crown
Three days after her brother Caleb advanced to the championship match of the boys' Class 2A state tennis tournament, Ankeny Centennial's Abbie Peterson has accomplished the same feat in the girls' Class 2A singles division at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Center in Iowa City. The second-seeded Peterson rolled to a 6-3, 6-1 win over Julianna Mascardo … [Read more...] about ON TO THE ‘SHIP: Peterson rolls past I.C. West’s Mascardo, will play for 2A crown
‘I’m thankful I made it to state’: Drefke earns repeat 15th-place finish in Class 4A
Ankeny Centennial's Payton Drefke carded an 81 on Friday and placed 15th overall in the girls' Class 4A state golf meet at Otter Creek. The junior posted a two-day total of 18-over-par 160. "I felt like I made a lot of good shots today, but I had a few that cost me like the two drives that went out of bounds," said Drefke. "Some of the pin placements … [Read more...] about ‘I’m thankful I made it to state’: Drefke earns repeat 15th-place finish in Class 4A
Jaguars shut down Bettendorf star, advance to state tourney with 2-0 win
Maybe now Chris Allen can get some rest. The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer coach had a few sleepless nights this week trying to figure out how to slow down Bettendorf forward Carson Bohonek. It turns out the Jaguars were up for the challenge. Bohonek was held scoreless and eighth-ranked Centennial earned another trip to the Class 3A state … [Read more...] about Jaguars shut down Bettendorf star, advance to state tourney with 2-0 win
Centennial’s Drefke shoots 79, sits in 16th place heading into Friday’s final round
Ankeny Centennial's Payton Drefke has put herself into decent position to earn a top-10 finish in the girls' Class 4A state golf meet at Otter Creek. The junior shot an 8-over-par 79 in the opening round on Thursday. She sits in 16th place in a field of 69 players heading into Friday's final round. Drefke is three strokes behind Natalie Henson of … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Drefke shoots 79, sits in 16th place heading into Friday’s final round