Ankeny Fanatic

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Spring

‘A win is a win’: Jaguars overcome rainy conditions to advance to regional final

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The rainy weather conditions proved to be a huge obstacle for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team on Tuesday. "The biggest thing we faced was connecting passes in those conditions," said Centennial coach Chris Allen. "We had a lot of balls that would just skip past a player. It kind of made it difficult to play the style we wanted to … [Read more...] about ‘A win is a win’: Jaguars overcome rainy conditions to advance to regional final

Peterson rebounds from 1st-round loss, earns top-8 finish in Class 2A singles

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Ankeny Centennial junior Caleb Peterson is guaranteed a second consecutive top-eight finish in the boys' Class 2A state tennis tournament. After placing sixth in doubles a year ago, Peterson was hoping to contend for the singles title this season. But he lost to second-seeded Kaden Taylor of Waukee Northwest, 6-2, 0-6, 6-4, in the opening round of the … [Read more...] about Peterson rebounds from 1st-round loss, earns top-8 finish in Class 2A singles

Jaguars roll past S.E. Polk in substate semifinal behind Ishibwami’s hat trick

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Brian Duax hasn't forgotten what happened in 2019. His Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team made sure that history didn't repeat itself. The fifth-ranked Jaguars got a hat trick from Rashidi Ishibwami and rolled to a 6-0 victory over visiting Southeast Polk in a Class 3A substate semifinal on Monday. The result was similar to last month's meeting at … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past S.E. Polk in substate semifinal behind Ishibwami’s hat trick

State pairings announced: Peterson to play No. 2 seed in 1st round of 2A singles

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The pairings for the boys' Class 2A state tennis tournament have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Ankeny Centennial junior Caleb Peterson received a tough draw in the singles bracket. He will open up against second-seeded Kaden Taylor of Waukee Northwest, who was a part of last year's state champion doubles team at … [Read more...] about State pairings announced: Peterson to play No. 2 seed in 1st round of 2A singles

‘It was a five-hour match!’: Johnston boys outlast Jaguars in substate final

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team dropped a 5-3 decision to Johnston in a Class 2A substate final on Wednesday at Valley. The Jaguars finished the season with a 5-8 record. "It was a five-hour match!" said Centennial coach Tami Lewton. "We had our opportunities for sure. We just couldn't quite close out a couple of matches." The two teams … [Read more...] about ‘It was a five-hour match!’: Johnston boys outlast Jaguars in substate final

Pennington’s perseverance pays off in Jaguars’ 1-0 win over Dowling Catholic

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Tuesday's game against visiting Dowling Catholic was a perfect tune-up for the postseason for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. The non-conference battle was the kind of contest that the Jaguars are going to have to win over the next few weeks to reach their ultimate goal. Third-ranked Centennial got a goal from Alanna Pennington in the 63rd … [Read more...] about Pennington’s perseverance pays off in Jaguars’ 1-0 win over Dowling Catholic

“I finally made a decision!”: Centennial defender Larson to play for Grinnell

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer standout Evan Larson will sign a letter of intent with Grinnell College on Wednesday afternoon. "After a long recruiting and admissions process, I finally made a decision!" Larson said. "I will be attending and playing at Grinnell College!" Larson, a senior defender, has helped the fifth-ranked Jaguars to a 13-3 record … [Read more...] about “I finally made a decision!”: Centennial defender Larson to play for Grinnell

Jaguars oust Council Bluffs Lincoln, then fall to No. 5 Johnston in regional final

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team advanced to the final of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Tuesday before dropping a 5-1 decision at fifth-ranked Johnston. The Jaguars, who earlier posted a 5-0 win over Council Bluffs Lincoln in the semifinal round, finished with a 9-4 record. "Although our team season is over, I am very proud of the … [Read more...] about Jaguars oust Council Bluffs Lincoln, then fall to No. 5 Johnston in regional final

‘We were a completely different team’: Jaguars dominate 2nd half, top Dowling

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In the first half of Tuesday's non-conference game at Dowling Catholic, the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team looked a lot like the same squad that dropped a 3-1 decision to Waukee Northwest on Friday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars were probably fortunate to be tied, 1-1, at the half. "It was a continuation of not great soccer from the Northwest game," … [Read more...] about ‘We were a completely different team’: Jaguars dominate 2nd half, top Dowling

Joensen leads Jaguars past Mason City in final dual meet of regular season

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Olivia Joensen earned medalist honors for the first time in her career on Monday while leading the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team to a 185-232 victory over visiting Mason City. Joensen and teammate Vivian Wilson each shot a 9-over-par 45 on the front nine at Briarwood Golf Club. Joensen was the medalist on a cardoff--she had a bogey on the par-4, No. … [Read more...] about Joensen leads Jaguars past Mason City in final dual meet of regular season

Jaguars’ loss to Waukee Northwest likely won’t be damaging in big picture

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Some losses are more damaging than others. Friday's 3-1 loss to visiting Waukee Northwest probably won't cost the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team much of anything. "These games, because the substate seedings are already out, really don't have a ton of meaning," said Centennial coach Brian Duax. "The only meaning they really have is for seeding at … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ loss to Waukee Northwest likely won’t be damaging in big picture

Jaguars beat one Lincoln (D.M.), will face another one (Council Bluffs) on Tuesday

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team didn't waste any time on Saturday. The Jaguars cruised to a 5-0 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in a Class 2A regional quarterfinal. "We hit five wins in singles, so we didn't have to go to doubles," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. Esther Guan, Jenna Benkufsky, Ara Lofgren, Morgan DenBeste and … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat one Lincoln (D.M.), will face another one (Council Bluffs) on Tuesday

Wolves end Centennial winning streak, force Jaguars to share league crown

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The CIML Iowa Conference boasts three of the top five girls' soccer teams in Class 3A. It seems only fitting that the three squads will now likely share the league crown. Fifth-ranked Waukee Northwest bounced back from Tuesday's shootout loss to No. 4 Ankeny with a 1-0 victory over No. 3 Ankeny Centennial on Friday at Northwest. The loss ended a … [Read more...] about Wolves end Centennial winning streak, force Jaguars to share league crown

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

Guan(derful)!: Centennial junior earns another trip to girls’ state tennis tourney

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Ankeny Centennial junior Esther Guan is headed back to the girls' state tennis tournament--this time as a singles qualifier. Guan, who placed sixth in the Class 2A doubles tournament while playing with her sister Claudia a year ago, earned runner-up honors in a regional meet on Wednesday at Valley. She advances to the state tournament, which is slated for … [Read more...] about Guan(derful)!: Centennial junior earns another trip to girls’ state tennis tourney

Gonzalez gets hat trick on Senior Night, leads Jaguars to 6-0 win over Ames

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On Senior Night, the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team got a huge lift from one of its seniors. Jesus Gonzalez had a hat trick to lead the sixth-ranked Jaguars to a 6-0 victory over No. 15 Ames in a CIML Iowa Conference game on Tuesday at Centennial. Fellow senior Evan Larson also had a goal in the win. "It was great to be able to start all 11 … [Read more...] about Gonzalez gets hat trick on Senior Night, leads Jaguars to 6-0 win over Ames

Centennial girls top Ames, clinch share of CIML Iowa Conference crown

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team clinched at least a share of the CIML Iowa Conference title with a 1-0 victory at Ames on Tuesday. The third-ranked Jaguars improved to 5-0 in the league and 13-2 overall with their ninth straight win. It was their fourth shutout in a row and their 12th of the season. "Defensively, any of the 11 girls who were … [Read more...] about Centennial girls top Ames, clinch share of CIML Iowa Conference crown

Jaguars capture district crown, advance 3 players to state tournament

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During the regular season, the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team posted a dual-meet record of 5-7. A tough schedule paid off for the Jaguars on Monday. Overcoming hot and windy conditions, Centennial won a Class 2A district tournament at the Prairie Ridge courts with 23 points. The Jaguars will advance to a substate team tournament. "We were super … [Read more...] about Jaguars capture district crown, advance 3 players to state tournament

‘The experience was fantastic’: Jaguars face state’s top teams at Valley Invite

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Alli Gustafson wasn't worried about the wins and losses on Friday. The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach was just happy that her team was able to compete in the Valley Invitational. Facing some of the state's top teams, the Jaguars won only five of 20 matches in the tournament. But it was still a productive day. "Our competition today was … [Read more...] about ‘The experience was fantastic’: Jaguars face state’s top teams at Valley Invite