Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Spring

Defending state champion Jaguars ‘see this season as new challenge’

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Here's a scary thought: the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team could be even better than a year ago, when the Jaguars captured their second state title in three seasons. Coach Chris Allen returns 11 players who started at some point last year. Seven of them have already committed to play for college programs, and two more college recruits have joined … [Read more...] about Defending state champion Jaguars ‘see this season as new challenge’

‘The product follows the process’: Jaguars looking to improve every day

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Although the weather has improved tremendously in the last week, the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team made the most of the snowy conditions during February and early March. "The indoor season is going as well as expected, given the weather," said Centennial coach Andrew Kruzich. "We don't have the indoor track surfaces of some of our competitor … [Read more...] about ‘The product follows the process’: Jaguars looking to improve every day

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Meg Ridout, Centennial girls’ track

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Senior Meg Ridout is one of seven returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. Ridout ran on the fifth-place shuttle hurdle relay team that set a school record at the Class 4A state meet. She also ran on the 11th-place 4x100 relay. Here is some inside info on Ridout: How is the indoor season going thus far? The indoor … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Meg Ridout, Centennial girls’ track

Despite heavy losses, Jaguars boast 12 returning state qualifiers

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It won't be easy for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team to duplicate the success of last year's squad. The Jaguars placed fifth in the Class 4A state meet with 43 points, the highest finish in school history. But five of the top performers from that squad will have to be replaced. State champion Riley Moss graduated after setting an all-time Iowa … [Read more...] about Despite heavy losses, Jaguars boast 12 returning state qualifiers

Centennial’s Cole to play tennis at Grand View University

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James Cole wasn't ready to stop playing competitive tennis. Now, he won't have to. The Ankeny Centennial senior has committed to play for Grand View University next year. He picked the Vikings after visiting several other schools. "It was a tough decision," Cole said. "I visited some colleges and all of them seemed alike. Most were bigger schools … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Cole to play tennis at Grand View University

Petersen to coach Centennial girls’ golf; Smith takes over Ankeny boys’ tennis program

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John Petersen always thought he'd be a head golf coach someday. Steve Smith never thought he'd pursue a high school coaching position. Now, both of them are getting ready to tackle new challenges this spring. Petersen, the former Ankeny boys' basketball and assistant boys' tennis coach, has taken over the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf program. He … [Read more...] about Petersen to coach Centennial girls’ golf; Smith takes over Ankeny boys’ tennis program

Centennial’s Allen named finalist for National Coach of the Year

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Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer coach Chris Allen has been named a finalist for National Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. Eight finalists from across the nation in 19 different recognized sports will be honored during the National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet, which will take place at the NHSACA’s national … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Allen named finalist for National Coach of the Year

Centennial hires Petersen to take over girls’ tennis program

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  Ryan Petersen has been named the head coach of the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. This will be the first coaching position for Petersen, who played tennis in high school at Denison. "My tennis coach--Aaron Ratliff--was also my calculus teacher," said Petersen. "I enjoyed both so much that I was inspired to pursue coaching tennis … [Read more...] about Centennial hires Petersen to take over girls’ tennis program

Centennial’s Langstraat becomes Grand View’s second recruit in Class of 2019

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When the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team posted a 3-2 victory over Ankeny to win the Class 3A state title on June 9, Kenzie Langstraat and Saige Adamson were on opposite sides of the field. In the future, though, Centennial's Langstraat and Ankeny's Adamson will be playing for the same team. Langstraat committed earlier this week to play for Grand … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Langstraat becomes Grand View’s second recruit in Class of 2019

Centennial’s Brown named to United Soccer Coaches all-American team

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Ankeny Centennial's Olivia Brown completed her high school soccer career last month. The postseason awards keep rolling in, though, for the Jaguars' senior defender. Brown has been named to the United Soccer Coaches all-American team for the winter and spring seasons during the 2017-18 school year. A total of 52 players from across the country received … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Brown named to United Soccer Coaches all-American team

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Megan Gray, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer

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Senior forward Megan Gray was named to the Class 3A all-tournament team after helping the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to its second state title in three years on Saturday. She scored a goal and also had an assist as the top-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 2 Ankeny, 3-2, in the Class 3A final at Cownie Soccer Complex. Gray finished the season with a … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Megan Gray, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer

Jaguars top rival Ankeny in thriller for their 2nd state title in 3 years

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Ankeny Centennial senior Kenzie Geiger held onto the Class 3A championship trophy and didn't want to let go. She finally allowed somebody else to hold it when a reporter interrupted her victory celebration. "It feels really amazing," Geiger said after the top-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 2 Ankeny, 3-2, in the Class 3A final of the girls' state soccer … [Read more...] about Jaguars top rival Ankeny in thriller for their 2nd state title in 3 years

Class 3A title game puts Iowa Rush teammates on opposite sides of field

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Saturday's Class 3A championship game at the girls' state soccer tournament was like an instrasquad scrimmage for the Iowa Rush. About 20 members of the Rush played for either Ankeny or Ankeny Centennial in the title contest at Cownie Soccer Complex, putting teammates and lifelong friends on opposite sides of the field. "It was a little physical, and … [Read more...] about Class 3A title game puts Iowa Rush teammates on opposite sides of field

Jaguars avenge loss to Waukee, earn shot to play for 2nd title in 3 years

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At the beginning of the season, sophomore Miranda Wood was playing on Ankeny Centennial's junior varsity girls' soccer team. On Saturday, she'll be playing for a state championship against her crosstown rival. The former goalkeeper scored the go-ahead goal in the 50th minute and top-ranked Centennial went on to defeat No. 4 Waukee, 2-0, in the Class 3A … [Read more...] about Jaguars avenge loss to Waukee, earn shot to play for 2nd title in 3 years

Jaguars get plenty of rest for starters in quarterfinal victory over C.B. Lincoln

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Olivia Brown didn't mind spending the second half of Thursday's Class 3A quarterfinal on the bench. The Ankeny Centennial senior scored a pair of goals in the first half, then took a seat for the rest of the way as the top-ranked Jaguars cruised to a 7-0 victory over Council Bluffs Lincoln in the girls' state soccer tournament at Cownie Soccer Complex in … [Read more...] about Jaguars get plenty of rest for starters in quarterfinal victory over C.B. Lincoln

Big 2nd half sends Centennial girls back to state tourney

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The pressure to qualify for the state tournament, especially when you're a highly-ranked team, can be overwhelming. After battling unranked Waterloo Schools to a scoreless tie in the first half of a Class 3A regional final on Monday, the members of the top-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer squad undoubtedly felt that pressure. Coach Chris Allen … [Read more...] about Big 2nd half sends Centennial girls back to state tourney

Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Olivia Brown and Tori Ubben, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer

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Senior defenders Olivia Brown and Tori Ubben have helped lead the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to a 16-2 record and a No. 1 ranking in Class 3A. They have both been named to the All-Iowa Elite team by The Des Moines Register. Brown, who has contributed two goals and four assists, will play for Nebraska next year. Ubben has signed to play for … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Olivia Brown and Tori Ubben, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer

‘Unlucky bounce’ ends Jaguars’ season in Class 3A quarterfinals

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The cruel nature of soccer is that the ball doesn't always bounce your way. That was the case on Thursday for eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial, which suffered a 2-1 overtime loss to No. 5 Iowa City West in the Class 3A quarterfinals of the boys' state tournament at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. Micah Frisbie scored the game-winner for the Trojans … [Read more...] about ‘Unlucky bounce’ ends Jaguars’ season in Class 3A quarterfinals