Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Spring

Centennial boys still seeking first victory after falling to Roughriders, Wolves

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team is still searching for its first victory of the season. The Jaguars suffered an 11-0 loss to visiting Waukee Northwest in a CIML Conference meet on Tuesday. They dropped to 0-2 in the league and 0-4 overall under first-year coach Grant Menadue. "I'm proud of the way the guys fought against a really strong team," … [Read more...] about Centennial boys still seeking first victory after falling to Roughriders, Wolves

Wolves erupt for trio of goals in 2nd half, hand No. 5 Centennial girls their first loss

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After successfully co-hosting the Crosstown Invitational last weekend, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players had all the momentum and motivation a team could need to start off CIML Conference play with a win. However, Tuesday night didn’t end how the fifth-ranked Jaguars envisioned as they surrendered three goals in … [Read more...] about Wolves erupt for trio of goals in 2nd half, hand No. 5 Centennial girls their first loss

‘We had a nice night of competition’: Jaguars place 5th at Oldham Invitational

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team won a pair of relays and placed fifth overall among seven squads in the Craig Oldham Invitational on Tuesday at Johnston. The Jaguars, who also got a victory from Ava Barten in the 400 hurdles, finished with 70 points. Barten posted a time of 1:07.01 to edge Alayna Schulte of Waukee Northwest by .40 seconds. "We … [Read more...] about ‘We had a nice night of competition’: Jaguars place 5th at Oldham Invitational

Inexperienced Centennial girls tumble to Waukee Northwest in season opener

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Tuesday's season opener provided a huge test for the inexperienced Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. With only three returning varsity regulars, the Jaguars traveled to Waukee Northwest to face one of the state's top squads. The Wolves dominated the CIML Conference matchup, rolling to an 11-0 victory. Northwest won four of the singles matches … [Read more...] about Inexperienced Centennial girls tumble to Waukee Northwest in season opener

‘Uninspired’ Centennial boys drop 3-1 decision to Wolves in conference opener

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Brian Duax didn't mince any words after his Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team fell to visiting Waukee Northwest, 3-1, in the CIML Conference opener for both squads on Tuesday. "We were awful. Uninspired. Unprepared," said the Jaguars' longtime coach. "But I put the onus on myself. We had a game plan, and I thought it was working. But they punched us in … [Read more...] about ‘Uninspired’ Centennial boys drop 3-1 decision to Wolves in conference opener

‘It’s something to be proud of’: Jaguars post back-to-back shutouts over PV, DC-G

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Between late heroics to a trio of first-half goals, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team came out of the Crosstown Invitational with two quality wins over ranked opponents and a very positive trajectory for the season. The fifth-ranked Jaguars not only avenged a loss in last year’s Crosstown Invite in Friday night’s 1-0 … [Read more...] about ‘It’s something to be proud of’: Jaguars post back-to-back shutouts over PV, DC-G

Centennial boys tumble to visiting Norwalk, drop to 0-2 on season

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team dropped to 0-2 on the season with a 9-2 loss to visiting Norwalk on Friday. The Warriors won five of the six singles matches, then captured four of the five doubles matches. They evened their mark at 1-1. Centennial got a victory at No. 6 singles from Owen George. He posted a 6-3, 6-1 win over Eli Mills. The … [Read more...] about Centennial boys tumble to visiting Norwalk, drop to 0-2 on season

‘It was a really dominant performance’: Jags roll to 4-1 win over C.R. Washington

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team came away with a split on its season-opening trip to eastern Iowa. After dropping a 2-1 decision at Iowa City West on Friday, the Jaguars returned to Ed Barker Field on Saturday morning and posted a 4-1 victory over Cedar Rapids Washington to even their record at 1-1. "It was a really dominant performance," said … [Read more...] about ‘It was a really dominant performance’: Jags roll to 4-1 win over C.R. Washington

‘It was just an unfortunate result’: Jaguars dominate but fall to Iowa City West, 2-1

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team opened its season on Friday with a 2-1 loss at Iowa City West. All of the scoring came in the second half. "We played really well," said Centennial coach Brian Duax. "It was just an unfortunate result." Tate Duax scored the lone goal for the Jaguars. He took seven of the team's 12 shots--and five of them … [Read more...] about ‘It was just an unfortunate result’: Jaguars dominate but fall to Iowa City West, 2-1

Centennial boys drop narrow 6-5 decision to S.E. Polk in Menadue’s coaching debut

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team nearly pulled out a victory in its debut under new head coach Grant Menadue. The Jaguars battled visiting Southeast Polk down to the wire before dropping a 6-5 decision in a CIML Conference matchup on Thursday at the Prairie Ridge courts. It was the season opener for both teams. After the two teams battled to a … [Read more...] about Centennial boys drop narrow 6-5 decision to S.E. Polk in Menadue’s coaching debut

‘We had good cohesive play’: Jags open season with 3-0 victory at Iowa City West

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It took awhile for Ankeny Centennial's dominance to produce some goals in Monday's girls' soccer season opener at Iowa City West. After going scoreless in the first half, the Jaguars racked up three goals in the final 40 minutes to post a 3-0 victory in the non-conference game. "We missed some good chances in the first half, but the girls understand … [Read more...] about ‘We had good cohesive play’: Jags open season with 3-0 victory at Iowa City West

Jaguars win 4 events, rack up 182 points vs. 7 other teams at Sherwood Relays

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team earned a fourth-place finish in the Sherwood Relays on Saturday at Iowa City High. The Jaguars won four events and racked up 182 points while competing against seven other squads. Cedar Falls won the team title with 360 points, finishing 90 points ahead of Southeast Polk. "We had another great day of … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4 events, rack up 182 points vs. 7 other teams at Sherwood Relays

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddison Balashaitis, ACHS girls’ soccer

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Senior defender Maddison Balashaitis is one of the top returning players for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. She helped the Jaguars to a 13-7 record last season and a trip to the Class 3A state tournament, where she was named to the all-tournament team. Balashaitis scored three goals and also had an assist while helping her squad record six … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddison Balashaitis, ACHS girls’ soccer

‘We are very deep’: Petersen optimistic about potential for Centennial golfers

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Despite graduating three seniors from last year's varsity lineup, the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team still boasts plenty of depth. There are 22 golfers on the roster, led by a trio of returning regulars in seniors Kate Geiselhart and Kaylee Sprecher and sophomore Cate Trewet. "We are very deep," said Centennial coach John Petersen. "We have a … [Read more...] about ‘We are very deep’: Petersen optimistic about potential for Centennial golfers

Centennial girls win 4 events at Dragon Invitational, including pair of relays

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team won four events in the Dragon Invitational on Thursday at Johnston. Five other squads competed at the meet. No team scores were kept, but Centennial coach Tyler Asbe was elated afterwards. "We had a beautiful night to compete, and our girls had some strong performances," said Asbe. "It was a great meet to get our … [Read more...] about Centennial girls win 4 events at Dragon Invitational, including pair of relays

‘I’m very excited for the opportunity’: Menadue hired to coach Centennial boys

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A former Ankeny standout has been hired to take over the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis program. Grant Menadue, a state doubles qualifier in 2013, will replace the late Tami Lewton--who passed away last June after a courageous five-month battle against cancer. Lewton coached the team for eight seasons. "Coach Lewton was a very special coach and person … [Read more...] about ‘I’m very excited for the opportunity’: Menadue hired to coach Centennial boys

Centennial girls focus on spring season, prepare for switch to fall tennis in August

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Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson will be spending a lot of time with her players over the next several months. Tryouts for the spring season begin on Monday for the Jaguars, who will then transition to a fall season in August under schedule changes from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union for 2025-26. "So far, our numbers for … [Read more...] about Centennial girls focus on spring season, prepare for switch to fall tennis in August

‘These kids genuinely enjoy each other’: Jags look to have fun while chasing title

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Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players Maddison Balashaitis, Addison Fair, Olivia Kroska and Ava Martin have all experienced the joy of holding up a state championship trophy. The four seniors all saw some action as freshmen on the Jaguars' Class 3A title team in 2022. "Experience and joy will be huge strengths for our team," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘These kids genuinely enjoy each other’: Jags look to have fun while chasing title

Centennial boys looking to bounce back from first losing season in school history

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax is hoping that history doesn't repeat itself. The Jaguars struggled to a 5-12 record last year. It was the first losing season in school history. Centennial had compiled a 128-35 mark in its previous nine campaigns. "We all hope last year was a flash in the pan," said Duax. "We proved we could beat … [Read more...] about Centennial boys looking to bounce back from first losing season in school history