It was only a scrimmage, but the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team showed a lot of spunk Friday in its exhibition game against visiting Johnston. The Dragons jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Centennial rallied to forge a 4-4 tie at the end of regulation. Johnston then prevailed in a shootout, 5-4. "I didn't know what to expect after basically a … [Read more...] about Scrimmage between Centennial, Johnston boys ends with a shootout
Spring
Jaguars move outdoors for first time, win 7 events at Johnston Quadrangular
Andrew Kruzich knows a lot more about his Ankeny Centennial girls' track team than he did 24 hours ago. The Jaguars opened their outdoor season on Thursday by competing in the Johnston Quadrangular. They dominated some events and also performed very well in many others. "We had a good night," Kruzich said. "It was great to get outdoors and have a meet … [Read more...] about Jaguars move outdoors for first time, win 7 events at Johnston Quadrangular
‘We have the opportunity to be quite formidable’: Jaguars boast depth, speed
Making up for lost time is one of the goals for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. The Jaguars reached the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament in 2019 before the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We want to be playing soccer on absolutely every date possible," said Centennial coach Chris Allen. "We want to pass on … [Read more...] about ‘We have the opportunity to be quite formidable’: Jaguars boast depth, speed
Blevins is back for final season, but Centennial lacks depth, experience
COVID-19 took a toll on the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team. The Jaguars not only lost the entire 2020 season to the global pandemic. They also lost a lot of players in the process. "Many of the freshmen and sophomores that were new to tennis (last year) found jobs, or got involved in other activities and did not come out this year," said … [Read more...] about Blevins is back for final season, but Centennial lacks depth, experience
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kathryn Vortherms, Centennial girls’ track
Senior Kathryn Vortherms is a four-time state placewinner for the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. She helped the Jaguars to a 12th-place tie in the Class 4A state meet in 2019 before her junior season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a sophomore, Vortherms anchored the the sixth-place distance medley relay and the fifth-place sprint … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kathryn Vortherms, Centennial girls’ track
Quass places 2nd in 800 at Central Indoor Meet, ties school record
Ankeny Centennial's Rondi Quass has picked up right where she left off during the cross country season. Quass, a sophomore and one of the state's top distance runners, led the Jaguars to a third-place finish in the Class 4A state meet last fall. She placed 14th in a time of 18:54.4. On Saturday, Quass showed that she's ready for the outdoor track … [Read more...] about Quass places 2nd in 800 at Central Indoor Meet, ties school record
Jaguars return several players from 2019 team that posted 13-4 record
Brian Duax won't have to wait much longer to see if the potential that his Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team has comes to fruition. The Jaguars will play their first game in nearly two years when they open the season against visiting Johnston on March 26. "It feels great to be back at it," said Duax. "The excitement is super high. We are still taking … [Read more...] about Jaguars return several players from 2019 team that posted 13-4 record
‘I think we’ll be strong in a lot of areas’: Jaguars already off to good start
The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team showed on Monday that it's more than ready to compete this season. The Jaguars won a pair of relays in the Dickinson Relays at Cedar Falls. They also had five other top-eight finishes. "It was a great effort by everyone," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "Placing in the top eight there is an … [Read more...] about ‘I think we’ll be strong in a lot of areas’: Jaguars already off to good start
‘It’s been a long year without track”: Jags return 7 state qualifiers from 2019
Like many of the coaches in the spring sports, Andrew Kruzich has yet to set any goals for his Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. He's just happy to be back at practice with the Jaguars. "We haven't set particular goals yet--we just don't know enough about our team, or the rest of the state for that matter," said Kruzich. "We're just happy to be … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been a long year without track”: Jags return 7 state qualifiers from 2019
Vortherms commits to Hawkeyes, will reunite with former Jaguar teammates
Kathryn Vortherms considers her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial girls' track squad part of her family. She was hoping to find a similar environment on the collegiate level, and she found it in Iowa City. Vortherms has committed to join the Iowa women's track and field program next year. She will be reunited with former Centennial teammates Emma … [Read more...] about Vortherms commits to Hawkeyes, will reunite with former Jaguar teammates
‘I loved the team unity’: Centennial’s Blevins commits to play for Bulldogs
An opportunity to play in front of the Drake tennis coaches has paid off for Ankeny Centennial standout Will Blevins. The senior has committed to play for the Bulldogs. "I'm so excited!" Blevins said. "Earlier in the fall I had been playing many ITA tournaments held by Drake in Des Moines. This gave me the opportunity to showcase my talents against … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the team unity’: Centennial’s Blevins commits to play for Bulldogs
Ankeny, Centennial athletes compete at Iowa Track and Field Carnival
There's nothing that could replace having your entire track and field season wiped out by a global pandemic. But Mike Jay wanted to at least try something. Jay, the lead PA announcer for the Drake Relays and the high school state meet, organized a track and field meet for those Iowans who wanted an opportunity to compete after losing their season to … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial athletes compete at Iowa Track and Field Carnival
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ soccer team
When the Ankeny girls' soccer program began in 1996, the Hawkettes didn't immediately find success. Ankeny struggled in its first three seasons, going a combined 12-33-1 under coach Rhonda Fors. However, Fors turned the program around in 1999, guiding the Hawkettes to a 12-7 record for their first winning season. Since then, the Ankeny program … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ soccer team
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ golf team
Nobody is more associated with the Ankeny girls' golf program than Toni Dickey. Dickey played for the Hawkettes in high school and later became the head coach of the program for 31 years. She led Ankeny to three state titles and also coached four individual state champions before retiring after the 2017 season. Those individual champs--Sarah Gilbert, … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ golf team
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Samson Densmore, Centennial tennis
Senior Samson Densmore was a member of the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team. He helped the Jaguars reach the Class 2A semifinals of the state team tournament last year. Densmore also qualified for the state doubles tournament along with teammate Ryan Lofgren. He compiled an 8-3 record in singles and went 13-6 in doubles, including 11-5 while playing … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Samson Densmore, Centennial tennis
Centennial’s Petersen earns scholarship from Track Guy Foundation
Ankeny Centennial track standout Katie Petersen is one of the recipients of the 2020 Track Guy Foundation Scholarship awards. Petersen was among 47 Iowa high school seniors involved in track and field and/or cross country who applied for the scholarship. From those applicants, seven winners were selected by the Foundation's Board of Directors. Each of … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Petersen earns scholarship from Track Guy Foundation
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Roland Agyeman, Centennial boys’ soccer
Roland Agyeman is a senior on the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team. He would have been one of the Jaguars' top returning players this season. Agyeman started 10 games for Centennial a year ago. He helped the Jaguars to a 13-4 record. Here is some inside info on Agyeman: How are you dealing with the pandemic? Are you getting used to the "new … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Roland Agyeman, Centennial boys’ soccer
‘I like how it’s close to home’: DeAngelo to continue track career at Drake
An opportunity to keep running on the blue oval was one that Dylan DeAngelo couldn't pass up. The Ankeny Centennial senior verbally committed earlier this week to continue his track career at Drake University. The standout hurdler picked the Bulldogs over the University of Missouri-Kansas City. "It was a very tough decision," said DeAngelo. "I really … [Read more...] about ‘I like how it’s close to home’: DeAngelo to continue track career at Drake
Ankeny’s Reynolds, Centennial’s Hron to play soccer at Simpson College
Two more Ankeny-area soccer players have decided to spend the next four years in Indianola. Ankeny senior Ben Reynolds has committed to play for Simpson College. He joins his teammate Colby Cheney, who previously committed to the Storm. "The fact that I already knew Colby was going to Simpson helped me in knowing that I would be going along with a … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Reynolds, Centennial’s Hron to play soccer at Simpson College
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Grace Nemmers, Centennial girls’ tennis
Senior Grace Nemmers was one of the top returning players on the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team, which had its season cancelled last month due to the coronavirus. Nemmers helped the Jaguars to an 8-5 record in 2019. She posted a 6-6 mark at the No. 5 singles position and went 5-4 in doubles. Here is some inside info on Nemmers: You've had a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Grace Nemmers, Centennial girls’ tennis