Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Spring

‘It was good to keep a clean sheet’: Jaguars blank S.E. Polk in 3-0 victory

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It took nearly two years for the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team to avenge a season-ending loss in 2019. The Jaguars got a pair of goals from freshman Andrew Heckenliable and defeated visiting Southeast Polk, 3-0, in a CIML non-conference game on Tuesday. Several Centennial players were members of the squad two years ago when the Jaguars lost to … [Read more...] about ‘It was good to keep a clean sheet’: Jaguars blank S.E. Polk in 3-0 victory

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Morgan Severseike, Centennial girls’ track

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Senior Morgan Severseike is a sprinter on the Ankeny Centennial girls' track squad. She is also on the Jaguars' leadership team. On the track, Severseike has played a valuable role in various relay events. "At Johnston, we had a last-minute quarantine of a girl in the 4x200," said Centennial coach Andrew Kruzich. "We had to shuffle our lineup, and … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Morgan Severseike, Centennial girls’ track

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Will Blevins, Ankeny Centennial boys’ tennis

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Senior Will Blevins is a two-time state placewinner for the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team. He took fifth in the Class 2A singles tournament as a freshman in 2018, then placed fourth as a sophomore. Blevins boasts a career record of 39-10 in singles, including a 3-0 mark this season. He was named the captain of Ankeny Fanatic's all-time Ankeny boys' … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Will Blevins, Ankeny Centennial boys’ tennis

‘The wind was really a factor’: Pleasant Valley rallies for 3-2 win over Jaguars

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Pleasant Valley proved to be a formidable foe for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team on Saturday. The wind turned out to be an adversary as well. With the wind at their backs, the Spartans scored two goals in the second half to rally for a 3-2 victory over Centennial. The game was part of the inaugural Ankeny and Centennial Crosstown … [Read more...] about ‘The wind was really a factor’: Pleasant Valley rallies for 3-2 win over Jaguars

Backup keeper Frazell earns shutout in Jaguars’ 2-0 victory at Norwalk

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Ankeny Centennial sophomore goalkeeper Reece Frazell got an unexpected start Friday against the Norwalk boys' soccer team. Centennial's No. 1 goalkeeper, senior Jonathon Stockwell, suffered an injury during pregame warmups. Frazell was forced into action and helped the visiting Jaguars to a 2-0 victory in the non-conference game. "I don't know how bad … [Read more...] about Backup keeper Frazell earns shutout in Jaguars’ 2-0 victory at Norwalk

Inexperienced Jaguars to open season Monday by hosting Centennial Invite

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During his many seasons as the Ankeny boys' basketball coach, John Petersen often had to replace some standout seniors from the previous year's squad. However, the current Ankeny Centennial girls' golf coach now faces an unprecedented rebuilding job. Due partially to the COVID-19 pandemic that wiped out the 2020 season, the Jaguars have no returning … [Read more...] about Inexperienced Jaguars to open season Monday by hosting Centennial Invite

Jaguars rally past Waverly-Shell Rock, give Allen his 100th career victory

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Chris Allen's 100th career coaching victory at Ankeny Centennial turned out to be a memorable one. The Jaguars rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit to beat Waverly-Shell Rock, 3-2, in a non-conference girls' soccer game on Friday. The season opener was part of the inaugural Ankeny and Centennial Crosstown Invitational. "It feels really good," said … [Read more...] about Jaguars rally past Waverly-Shell Rock, give Allen his 100th career victory

Jaguars earn runner-up finish at Johnston Invite behind Petersen, Gustafson

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team took second place in the Johnston Invitational on Friday. The tournament featured three of the top six teams in Class 2A. Top-ranked Dowling Catholic won the team title. The No. 6 Jaguars edged No. 4 Valley for the runner-up spot after losing to the Tigers, 6-5, in their season opener on Tuesday. Abbie Petersen … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn runner-up finish at Johnston Invite behind Petersen, Gustafson

‘He’s a really special player’: Obia’s hat trick leads Valley boys past Jaguars

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Valley's Jaren Obia is one of the state's top boys' soccer players. He's even better when he's getting some help. Obia had a hat trick on Tuesday to lead the Tigers to a 4-2 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial. The Jaguars' record dropped to 1-2 on the season. Centennial coach Brian Duax praised Obia, but said that his team gave the Valley star … [Read more...] about ‘He’s a really special player’: Obia’s hat trick leads Valley boys past Jaguars

‘We need to strengthen our lineup’: Jaguars tumble to Valley boys, 7-4

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The top of the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team's lineup is about as strong as it gets. The rest of the Jaguars' lineup still needs some work. Visiting Valley relied on its depth to defeat Centennial, 7-4, in a non-conference meet on Tuesday. The Jaguars dropped to 1-1 on the season. "We hit a team that has the opposite strengths as us," said … [Read more...] about ‘We need to strengthen our lineup’: Jaguars tumble to Valley boys, 7-4

Uhl races to victory in 400, helps Jaguars to third-place finish at Ames

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The lone victory for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team on Tuesday came from an unexpected source. Ryan Uhl raced to a win in the 400 in the Hi Covey Relays at Ames. He posted a time of 52.42 seconds. "Ryan volunteered for the race, had a personal record and a first-place finish," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. The Jaguars placed third in the … [Read more...] about Uhl races to victory in 400, helps Jaguars to third-place finish at Ames

Centennial girls stress ‘positivity’, earn runner-up finish at Oldham Invite

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The theme this week for the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team is positivity. Tuesday's windy conditions provided a huge test for the Jaguars' mental toughness, but they were up to the challenge. Centennial placed second among seven teams in the Oldham Invitational at Johnston with 119 points. Waukee easily won the meet with 171 points. "It was a … [Read more...] about Centennial girls stress ‘positivity’, earn runner-up finish at Oldham Invite

No. 6 Centennial girls open their season with 6-5 loss at No. 4 Valley

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Even in a loss, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team showed a glimpse of its potential on Tuesday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars opened their season with a 6-5 loss at No. 4 Valley. It was the team's first meet under new head coach Armando Espinosa. "It was a great match," Espinosa said. "We fought very hard." Centennial won four of the six singles … [Read more...] about No. 6 Centennial girls open their season with 6-5 loss at No. 4 Valley

‘We learned a lot about ourselves’: Jags top C.R. Washington, fall to I.C. West

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If nothing else, the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team is now battle-tested. The Jaguars opened their season on Saturday by splitting a pair of games in eastern Iowa. They posted a 1-0 victory over Cedar Rapids Washington before dropping a 2-0 decision to host Iowa City West. "We traveled with 21 guys, and we were down to 17 by the time we played … [Read more...] about ‘We learned a lot about ourselves’: Jags top C.R. Washington, fall to I.C. West

No. 6 Centennial girls to rely heavily on senior duo of Gustafson, Guan

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team is ranked sixth in Class 2A in the preseason rankings. The Jaguars will find out on Tuesday if they deserve that ranking when they open the season at No. 4 Valley. "I think the girls have done a really nice job at adapting to my way of coaching and practice," said Centennial coach Armando Espinosa. "I guess we … [Read more...] about No. 6 Centennial girls to rely heavily on senior duo of Gustafson, Guan

Collins, Johnson lead Centennial boys to team crown at Brooks Relays

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Even at less than full strength, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team made an emphatic statement on Saturday. The Jaguars claimed their second title in five days by winning the Brooks Relays at Valley. They finished with 135 points. "We're just trying to get through the season," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "We have some injuries, and we're … [Read more...] about Collins, Johnson lead Centennial boys to team crown at Brooks Relays

Centennial boys win 9 events, easily capture team title at Cub Relays

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team dominated the Cub Relays on Tuesday at Nevada. The Jaguars won nine events and easily captured the team title of the Class A division with 446.5 points. Mason City was second in the eight-team field with 346.5. "It was a great effort by all in not-so-great conditions," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "The … [Read more...] about Centennial boys win 9 events, easily capture team title at Cub Relays

‘It was a great start to our season!’: Centennial boys roll past Norwalk

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Tuesday's cold and windy weather didn't seem to bother the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team. The Jaguars were just happy to be playing for the first time since 2019. Centennial opened its season with a 10-1 victory over visiting Norwalk in a non-conference meet. The Warriors' lone win came at No. 5 doubles. "I thought the guys played really … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great start to our season!’: Centennial boys roll past Norwalk

Vortherms enjoys ‘huge day’, leads Jaguars to runner-up finish at Iowa City

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Kathryn Vortherms will continue her track career at the University of Iowa next year. On Saturday, Vortherms traveled to the city of her future home and showed why the Hawkeyes offered her a scholarship. Competing in the Sherwood Relays at Iowa City High, Vortherms anchored Centennial's 4x800 relay to a victory in school-record time. She later placed … [Read more...] about Vortherms enjoys ‘huge day’, leads Jaguars to runner-up finish at Iowa City