Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Spring

Centennial boys’ team wins 4 events, places 2nd overall at Norwalk Invitational

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team won four events and placed second overall at the Norwalk Invitational on Monday. Dallas Center-Grimes won the team title with 161 points.  The Jaguars finished with 150 points, while Waukee took third with 143.5. One of Centennial's victories came in the 1,600, where Jackson Lewis tied for first with Lane … [Read more...] about Centennial boys’ team wins 4 events, places 2nd overall at Norwalk Invitational

‘The energy is high’: Centennial golfers gearing up for first season under Kiepe

by

Andy Fehn and John Petersen enjoyed a lot of success as the head coaches of the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf program. That is one tradition that Marty Kiepe is hoping to continue. "New traditions can be hard, but our team has kept an open mind," said Kiepe. "We have set clear expectations and made some of the larger decisions as a group. Building a … [Read more...] about ‘The energy is high’: Centennial golfers gearing up for first season under Kiepe

‘There’s a lot to be encouraged by’: Jags show promise in 7-4 loss at Norwalk

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team is already showing signs of improvement. After dropping a 9-2 decision to Norwalk a year ago, the Jaguars traveled to Norwalk on Tuesday for a rematch to open the 2026 season. The Warriors again prevailed, but their 7-4 victory in the non-conference meet was much closer than last year's matchup. "Norwalk is a … [Read more...] about ‘There’s a lot to be encouraged by’: Jags show promise in 7-4 loss at Norwalk

Jaguars win 8 events, place 2nd overall at S.E. Polk Invitational behind host Rams

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team closed out Tuesday's Southeast Polk Invitational with its eighth victory of the night. The Jaguars won the 4x400 relay with a time of 3:59.41, allowing them to meet the Drake Relays Blue Oval standard. The team consisted of Aly Balashaitis, Rebecca Flick, Teagan Jackson and Ava Barten. "This group came into the … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 8 events, place 2nd overall at S.E. Polk Invitational behind host Rams

Jaguars are No. 3, Hawkettes No. 5 in preseason Class 3A girls’ soccer rankings

by

The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union has announced its preseason soccer rankings, and it's no surprise that the CIML Conference once again dominates the top of the Class 3A list. Defending state champion Waukee Northwest begins the season where it left off last year--in the No. 1 spot. The Wolves are one of six CIML schools ranked among the top … [Read more...] about Jaguars are No. 3, Hawkettes No. 5 in preseason Class 3A girls’ soccer rankings

‘Our primary goal is growth’: Jaguars looking to elevate program to higher level

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team suffered through some growing pains last year in its first season under coach Grant Menadue. The inexperienced Jaguars struggled to a 1-11 record, including a 0-8 mark in the CIML Conference. They posted a 5-0 win over Des Moines North in a Class 2A substate quarterfinal for their only victory before ending the … [Read more...] about ‘Our primary goal is growth’: Jaguars looking to elevate program to higher level

Jaguars win 4×400 relay to edge Cedar Falls for team crown at Sherwood Relays

by

A victory in the final event allowed the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team to win the Sherwood Relays crown on Saturday at Iowa City High. The Jaguars took first in the 4x400 relay to edge defending champion Cedar Falls for the team title. The foursome of Aly Balashaitis, Bella Buesch, Aubrey Mohr and Teagan Jackson posted a time of 4:08.07. Cedar … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4×400 relay to edge Cedar Falls for team crown at Sherwood Relays

‘The last hurrah is bittersweet’: Duax will coach all-state son for one last season

by

Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax isn't looking forward to the end of the 2026 season. He just hopes it lasts as long as it can. Duax will be coaching his son, Tate, for one final season. Tate, a senior forward, is headed to Boston in the fall to play for Northeastern University. "The last hurrah is bittersweet," said coach Duax. "The … [Read more...] about ‘The last hurrah is bittersweet’: Duax will coach all-state son for one last season

‘We saw some really nice races’: Hawks, Jaguars compete at Early Bird Relays

by

Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams turned in some strong performances in the Early Bird Relays on Thursday at Waukee Northwest. Six squads competed in the meet, which was unscored. "We saw some really nice races," said Ankeny coach Jordan Mullen. "We had a lot of early season PRs, which is really exciting. I believe as a team … [Read more...] about ‘We saw some really nice races’: Hawks, Jaguars compete at Early Bird Relays

‘Our whole team showed toughness’: Jags overcome cold weather to win 2 events

by

Earlier in the week, the forecast called for temperatures in the 70s on Thursday afternoon. But those weren't the conditions that greeted the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team when the Jaguars arrived at Johnston for the Dragon Invitational. "The weather wasn’t ideal with high winds and dropping temperatures," said Centennial coach Tyler Asbe. "Our … [Read more...] about ‘Our whole team showed toughness’: Jags overcome cold weather to win 2 events

‘We will need to be resilient’: Jaguars gear up for another tough road of CIML foes

by

It won't be easy for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to replace the leadership from players like Maddison Balashaitis, Olivia Kroska and Ava Martin on last year's squad. Those three standouts all graduated after leading the Jaguars to a 15-4-2 record and a trip to the Class 3A semifinals in 2025. They are now playing at the collegiate … [Read more...] about ‘We will need to be resilient’: Jaguars gear up for another tough road of CIML foes

Centennial girls boast 12 returning state qualifiers, seek top-10 finish in Class 4A

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team qualified for last year's Class 4A state meet in just about every event and scored points in many of them. The Jaguars, though, placed no higher than sixth in any event while tying for 15th place overall with 18 points. "We were able to medal in nine events, and a goal of ours is to be able to repeat that success … [Read more...] about Centennial girls boast 12 returning state qualifiers, seek top-10 finish in Class 4A

Centennial boys’ track team looks to build on success of last year’s 4th-place squad

by

Coming off one of the best seasons in school history, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team will be looking to have another banner year in 2026. But it won't be easy. Many of the standouts from last year's squad graduated, leaving some big holes in the team's lineup. "We want to find events for individuals to make the biggest impact," said … [Read more...] about Centennial boys’ track team looks to build on success of last year’s 4th-place squad

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Noah Ross, Ankeny Centennial boys’ track

by

Sprinter Noah Ross of the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team is one of several returning state qualifiers from a squad that placed fourth in last year's Class 4A state meet with 61 points. Ross is the lone returnee from the Jaguars' state champion 4x100 and 4x200 relays. He also ran on the third-place sprint medley relay. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Noah Ross, Ankeny Centennial boys’ track

‘I can’t wait to play with her again!’: Jags’ Litchfield to join Balashaitis at CSP in ’27

by

Junior goalkeeper Rylee Litchfield of Ankeny Centennial has verbally committed to play for the Concordia St. Paul women's soccer team in 2027. Litchfield will be reunited with former Centennial teammate Maddison Balashaitis, who is a freshman defender on the squad. Balashaitis helped the Golden Bears to a 12-3-5 record last fall. "Maddison has always … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to play with her again!’: Jags’ Litchfield to join Balashaitis at CSP in ’27

‘I’m excited to get going’: Kiepe hired to take over Centennial girls’ golf program

by

Marty Kiepe has been named the new head coach of the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team. Kiepe replaces John Petersen, who resigned from the position at the end of last season after coaching the Jaguars since 2019. "This was kind of a last-minute thing," said Kiepe. "I'm very close with coach (Andrew) Reedy, the Centennial boys' coach. We worked … [Read more...] about ‘I’m excited to get going’: Kiepe hired to take over Centennial girls’ golf program

‘I can’t wait to be up there this fall!’: Jags’ Becker commits to play for St. Olaf

by

Ankeny Centennial midfielder Emmarie Becker has verbally committed to play for the women's soccer team at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Becker said head coach Molly Fiedler and assistant coach John Moening played a pivotal role in her decision. "I looked at a lot of schools from all over the country throughout my recruitment process, but … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to be up there this fall!’: Jags’ Becker commits to play for St. Olaf

‘I truly believe it’s the perfect fit for me’: Centennial’s Gray to play for MSU Mankato

by

Junior defender Kenna Gray of Ankeny Centennial has verbally committed to play soccer for Minnesota State University in Mankato. The Mavericks reached the second round of this year's NCAA Division II tournament before losing to Washburn in penalty kicks. Last year, MSU was the national runner-up. Former Centennial star Courtney Kovacs completed her … [Read more...] about ‘I truly believe it’s the perfect fit for me’: Centennial’s Gray to play for MSU Mankato

Ex-Jag Benkufsky captures No. 3 doubles crown for Rams at MWC Championships

by

After a successful high school tennis career at Ankeny Centennial, Jenna Benkufsky has continued to find success at the collegiate level. The Cornell College sophomore teamed up with senior Audrey Small to claim the No. 3 doubles title in the Midwest Conference Women's Individual Championships on Oct. 19 at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on the campus of the … [Read more...] about Ex-Jag Benkufsky captures No. 3 doubles crown for Rams at MWC Championships