Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer standout Courtney Kovacs has joined an exclusive club. The senior defender has been named a 2022 United Soccer Coaches High School Girls Winter-Spring All-American. She becomes only the third player under Centennial coach Chris Allen to earn All-American honors, joining Meg Brandt (2016) and Olivia Brown … [Read more...] about Kovacs named United Soccer Coaches High School All-American
Spring
‘They care so much about the players’: Compton verbally commits to St. Cloud
Junior forward Cady Compton is part of a big family on the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. She found a similar vibe with the St. Cloud State women's program. That's why Compton has verbally committed to play soccer for the Huskies, beginning in the fall of 2023. "I think the thing that stands out to me most about St. Cloud is the relationships … [Read more...] about ‘They care so much about the players’: Compton verbally commits to St. Cloud
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 186
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm recaps the girls' state soccer tournament with assistant coach Peter Rameh of Class 3A state champion Ankeny Centennial and also discusses the start of the baseball season with coach Joe Balvanz and catcher Tamden Webb-Tate of Ankeny. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 186
Centennial’s Becker named to academic all-state team by IGCA
Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer standout Ella Becker has been named to the academic all-state team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Becker, a senior midfielder, helped the Jaguars to a 19-3 record and their third Class 3A state title in the last six seasons. She scored two goals and had two assists. Becker, who was earlier selected to the CIML … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Becker named to academic all-state team by IGCA
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kate Bergan, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer
Junior goalkeeper Kate Bergan played a key role as the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team captured its third Class 3A state title on Saturday at Cownie Park. She was named to the all-tournament team after the Jaguars defeated Council Bluffs Lincoln, 2-0, in the championship game. On Thursday, Bergan made four consecutive saves during the penalty-kick … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kate Bergan, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer
Porter responds to coach’s challenge, leads Jaguars to 3rd state championship
During the first half of Saturday's Class 3A championship game against second-ranked Council Bluffs Lincoln, Ankeny Centennial midfielder Averi Porter struggled to become part of the Jaguars' offensive attack. At one point, Centennial coach Chris Allen yelled at Porter from the sideline. "Averi, we can't have you be a spectator today!" he said. A … [Read more...] about Porter responds to coach’s challenge, leads Jaguars to 3rd state championship
Centennial’s Duax, Heckenlaible named to boys’ Class 3A all-tournament team
Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer standouts Ty Duax and Andrew Heckenlaible were both named to the Class 3A all-tournament team on Saturday at Cownie Park. The two sophomores led Centennial to the Class 3A semifinals before the Jaguars dropped a 2-1 decision to Waukee Northwest on Friday. Duax had the team's only goal in the 69th minute, his 16th of the … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Duax, Heckenlaible named to boys’ Class 3A all-tournament team
‘Absolutely incredible’: Jaguars complete revenge tour, capture 3A crown
The revenge tour is complete for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. The fifth-ranked Jaguars got a pair of goals from Averi Porter and defeated No. 2 Council Bluffs Lincoln, 2-0, in the Class 3A championship game on Saturday at Cownie Park. The win was Centennial's third in a row at the state tournament against a team it had lost to during the … [Read more...] about ‘Absolutely incredible’: Jaguars complete revenge tour, capture 3A crown
A BITTER FINISH: Jaguars fall to Waukee NW in tense semifinal battle
Ty Duax wanted to play one more game with the seniors on the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team. Unfortunately, he won't get that chance. The fifth-ranked Jaguars ended their season on Friday with a tense 2-1 loss to No. 3 Waukee Northwest in the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament at Cownie Park. They finished with a 16-4 record. "It … [Read more...] about A BITTER FINISH: Jaguars fall to Waukee NW in tense semifinal battle
‘Kate is an absolute beast’: Bergan’s saves shock No. 1 Valley, send Jaguars to final
Ankeny Centennial's Cady Compton wasn't worried when Thursday's showdown against top-ranked Valley in the Class 3A semifinals of the girls' state soccer tournament went to a shootout at Cownie Park. She knew that the No. 5 Jaguars had goalkeeper Kate Bergan on their side. "Kate is an absolute beast," said Compton. "We've been in this situation before, … [Read more...] about ‘Kate is an absolute beast’: Bergan’s saves shock No. 1 Valley, send Jaguars to final
VIDEO: Jaguars win shootout against No. 1 Valley
Goalkeeper Kate Bergan made four consecutive saves as Ankeny Centennial knocked off top-ranked Valley, 2-1, in a shootout in the semifinals of the girls' Class 3A state soccer tournament. … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Jaguars win shootout against No. 1 Valley
Jaguars rally from 2-0 deficit to beat Urbandale, advance to 3A semifinals
A former assistant coach for the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team devised a strategy that befuddled the Jaguars during the first half of a Class 3A quarterfinal on Wednesday at Cownie Park. Fortunately, Centennial coach Brian Duax and his staff came up with an alternate plan that worked. The fifth-ranked Jaguars rallied for three goals in the second … [Read more...] about Jaguars rally from 2-0 deficit to beat Urbandale, advance to 3A semifinals
‘We were really motivated’: Centennial’s revenge tour begins with win over NW
The Class 3A state tournament could become a revenge tour for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. The fifth-ranked Jaguars avenged one of their three losses with a 2-1 victory over No. 4 Waukee Northwest in a Class 3A quarterfinal on Tuesday at Cownie Park. The Wolves had posted a 1-0 win over Centennial on May 13. "We were really motivated, and … [Read more...] about ‘We were really motivated’: Centennial’s revenge tour begins with win over NW
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 185
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews the boys' state soccer tournament with seniors Kyle Pederson and Conor Wahlberg of Ankeny and Evan Larson of Ankeny Centennial and the girls' state tournament with coaches Chris Allen of Centennial and Simon Brown of Ankeny. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 185
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kellen Jones, Ankeny Centennial boys’ tennis
Senior Kellen Jones was the No. 2 player for the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team this season. He helped the Jaguars advance to a Class 2A substate final earlier this month. Jones and freshman Brayden Wellendorf qualified for the Class 2A state tournament in doubles. They finished with a 5-4 record after losing their first two matches on Tuesday at the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kellen Jones, Ankeny Centennial boys’ tennis
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Kaitlyn Ault, Ankeny Centennial senior
Ault closes out her high school golf career by shooting rounds of 94 and 97 in the Class 4A state meet at Otter Creek. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Kaitlyn Ault, Ankeny Centennial senior
Jaguars again shoot season-best score, finish 10th in Class 4A state meet
There was nothing to lose for the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team on Friday. Sitting in 10th place heading into the final round of the Class 4A state meet at Otter Creek, the Jaguars simply went out to have fun on a beautiful day for golf. "I think it helped a lot," Centennial sophomore Payton Drefke said of the sunny skies and temperatures in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars again shoot season-best score, finish 10th in Class 4A state meet
Saves by Bergan, Becker allow Jaguars to outlast Johnston, return to state tourney
The Johnston girls' soccer team entered Thursday's Class 3A regional final at Ankeny Centennial with a pedestrian 9-7 mark. Centennial coach Chris Allen and his players knew, however, that the 14th-ranked Dragons were better than what their record showed. "We went to overtime with them earlier this season so we were expecting a really competitive … [Read more...] about Saves by Bergan, Becker allow Jaguars to outlast Johnston, return to state tourney
‘I’m not disappointed at all!’: Jaguars sit in 10th place after shooting a 364
The Ankeny Centennial girls' golf squad sits at the bottom of the team standings heading into Friday's final round in the Class 4A state meet at Otter Creek. Centennial coach John Petersen isn't concerned, however, with where the Jaguars finish in the 10-team field. "I'm not disappointed at all!" Petersen said. "We shot our best score of the year. I am … [Read more...] about ‘I’m not disappointed at all!’: Jaguars sit in 10th place after shooting a 364
‘It feels so good!’: Jaguars advance to state, will play Urbandale next
Even with a sore back, Ankeny Centennial's Rashidi Ishibwami could not contain his excitement following Wednesday's Class 3A substate final against the visiting Des Moines Hoover boys' soccer team. Ishibwami scored a goal in the first half and the fifth-ranked Jaguars overcame the rainy conditions to post a 2-1 victory that allowed them to qualify for the … [Read more...] about ‘It feels so good!’: Jaguars advance to state, will play Urbandale next