Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Spring

‘It was a good start to the season’: Jaguars post 7-4 victory over Norwalk

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team opened its season on Tuesday with a 7-4 victory over visiting Norwalk in a non-conference meet at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Jaguars won four of the six singles matches to build a 4-2 lead. They sealed the triumph by winning three of the five doubles matches. "There were some great matches," said Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good start to the season’: Jaguars post 7-4 victory over Norwalk

Centennial girls boast high hopes with strong returnees, addition of Peterson

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team has been strengthened by the addition of an elite player who is already familiar with the Jaguars' program. Junior Abbie Peterson, who led the squad to a 9-3 record as a freshman two years ago, has returned to the team. She sat out last season to spend more time on the club circuit. "We are very excited to have … [Read more...] about Centennial girls boast high hopes with strong returnees, addition of Peterson

Jaguars return 6 varsity regulars, led by two-time state placewinner Peterson

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Ankeny Centennial senior Caleb Peterson has a chance to join his former teammate, Will Blevins, as a three-time placewinner in the boys' state tennis tournament. Peterson placed sixth in doubles while playing with Nic Mackaman as a sophomore in 2021. He then placed fifth in singles last year. Now, Peterson will try to become the first state champion in … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 6 varsity regulars, led by two-time state placewinner Peterson

‘Leave it on the field’: Experienced Jaguars seek their 4th title in 7 seasons

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team has won three state championships in the last six seasons. Now, the Jaguars will try to defend the Class 3A title they won a year ago--something they were unable to do in 2017 and 2019. However, Centennial coach Chris Allen said his team isn't focusing on the big picture. "We have not set any goals as a team … [Read more...] about ‘Leave it on the field’: Experienced Jaguars seek their 4th title in 7 seasons

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kambria Leazer, Centennial girls’ track

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Junior Kambria Leazer is one of 15 returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. She helped the Jaguars to a 20th-place finish in Class 4A a year ago. Leazer tied for sixth in the high jump (5 feet) and placed 16th in the long jump (15-9.5). She earlier set a school record in the long jump at the CIML Iowa Conference meet, where … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kambria Leazer, Centennial girls’ track

Centennial boys return high-scoring trio of Duax, Heckenlaible and Ishibwami

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Perhaps no boys' soccer team in the state returns a trio as talented as Ankeny Centennial's threesome of Ty Duax, Andrew Heckenlaible and Rashidi Ishibwami. Last year, that triumvirate racked up 154 points while leading Centennial to a 16-4 record. The Jaguars advanced to the Class 3A semifinals before dropping a 2-1 decision to Waukee Northwest. "The … [Read more...] about Centennial boys return high-scoring trio of Duax, Heckenlaible and Ishibwami

‘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

‘We’ve got some great athletes’: Jaguars boast 15 returning state qualifiers

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With 120 athletes on the roster, the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team boasts a lot of depth in multiple areas. New head coach Tyler Asbe, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant for the Ankeny girls' team, likes what he has seen thus far from his squad. "The practices are going really well," said Asbe. "The girls have come to practice with … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got some great athletes’: Jaguars boast 15 returning state qualifiers

Ankeny assistant Asbe named head coach of Centennial girls’ track program

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Tyler Asbe has been named the new head coach of the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. Asbe spent the last two years as an assistant for the Ankeny girls' squad. "I'm definitely excited to get things going," said Asbe. "The season is right around the corner, and I met the athletes (Wednesday). That just kind of made it feel real." Asbe briefly … [Read more...] about Ankeny assistant Asbe named head coach of Centennial girls’ track program

‘I loved the small-town feel’: Centennial’s Price to play tennis at Central College

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Ankeny Centennial senior Madison Price has signed a letter of intent to play tennis at Central College in Pella. Price was looking for a smaller college where she could continue her athletic career. "I mainly looked at Loras and Central because I loved the small-town feel of the campus," said Price. "Dubuque is beautiful, but I really like the … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the small-town feel’: Centennial’s Price to play tennis at Central College

Centennial’s Heckenlaible verbally commits to play soccer at St. Louis

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer standout Andrew Heckenlaible looked beyond the next level when picking a college. He was looking for a school that could get him to the professional level. Heckenlaible found what he desired in St. Louis University. "I'm very excited to announce my verbal commitment to St. Louis University where I plan to further my … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Heckenlaible verbally commits to play soccer at St. Louis

‘There is so much to love about it!’: Centennial’s Quass to run for Tennessee

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There were several colleges across the country that could offer Ankeny Centennial distance standout Rondi Quass a top-notch running program as well as a quality engineering school. But only one of them offered the chance to go to the same school as her sister, Berit. Quass has verbally committed to join the University of Tennessee women's track and … [Read more...] about ‘There is so much to love about it!’: Centennial’s Quass to run for Tennessee

‘Officially a Leatherneck’: Centennial’s Pennington to play soccer at W. Illinois

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Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer standout Alanna Pennington has verbally committed to play for Western Illinois. "(I am) officially a Leatherneck," Pennington tweeted on Labor Day. Pennington said she visited several schools before making her decision. Former Ankeny player Malerie Rohweder is currently a senior on the Western Illinois squad, which is … [Read more...] about ‘Officially a Leatherneck’: Centennial’s Pennington to play soccer at W. Illinois

Centennial goalkeeper Bergan to play soccer at Carnegie Mellon University

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Ankeny Centennial goalkeeper Kate Bergan has verbally committed to play for the Carnegie Mellon University women's soccer team in Pittsburgh, Pa. Bergan, a senior-to-be, announced her decision via Twitter on Friday. The Tartans are members of the NCAA Division III University Athletic Association. "I started off looking at a lot of schools earlier on, … [Read more...] about Centennial goalkeeper Bergan to play soccer at Carnegie Mellon University

Kovacs named United Soccer Coaches High School All-American

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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

‘They care so much about the players’: Compton verbally commits to St. Cloud

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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

Centennial’s Becker named to academic all-state team by IGCA

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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

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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

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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