Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Spring

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

‘We bring back a lot of experience’: Jags return 15 qualifiers, seek top-10 finish

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When Ankeny Centennial girls' track coach Tyler Asbe puts together his lineup for meets this spring, he's going to have a lot of options. The Jaguars return 15 state qualifiers from a team that placed 12th in last year's Class 4A meet with 22 points, which equaled the highest finish in school history. "We bring back a lot of experience, and we have had … [Read more...] about ‘We bring back a lot of experience’: Jags return 15 qualifiers, seek top-10 finish

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cael Woods, Ankeny Centennial boys’ track

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Senior Cael Woods is one of 12 returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. He helped the Jaguars to a tie for seventh place in Class 4A a year ago. Woods placed eighth in the 400 hurdles (55.07) and 20th in the 110 hurdles (15.56). He also ran on the 11th-place shuttle hurdle and 16th-place 4x400 relays. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cael Woods, Ankeny Centennial boys’ track

‘We have a lot of talent all around’: Jaguars boast 12 returning state qualifiers

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The first outdoor meet is still two weeks away for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team, but the balmy spring weather has already allowed the Jaguars to spend a lot of time outside on the track. "The weather has been great," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "We've been lucky to be able to be outside since the first day of practice." Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘We have a lot of talent all around’: Jaguars boast 12 returning state qualifiers

Centennial girls’ track team earns four top-10 finishes at Dickinson Relays

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team earned four top-10 finishes in the Dickinson Relays on Tuesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The Jaguars' highest finish came in the 4x800 relay. They placed third in that event with a time of 9:55.90. Bella Hodges took fourth in the 800. She was clocked in 2:28.51. Anna Woods tied for fifth in the high … [Read more...] about Centennial girls’ track team earns four top-10 finishes at Dickinson Relays

Jaguars win 4×200 relay at Dickinson Relays, also compete at Wartburg

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team competed in a pair of indoor meets on Monday. The Jaguars tied for ninth place with 17 points in the Wartburg College meet at Waverly. Waverly-Shell Rock captured the team title with 82 points. Centennial also competed in the Dickinson Relays at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The Jaguars won the 4x200 relay in a … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4×200 relay at Dickinson Relays, also compete at Wartburg

‘It felt like a home away from home’: Woods commits to run track at SDSU

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Ankeny Centennial hurdler Cael Woods has verbally committed to run track at South Dakota State. Woods picked the Jackrabbits over some other schools in the Midwest. "I looked at a couple schools mostly in the Dakotas and Minnesota, and it was a difficult decision to make," he said. "But I loved everything about SDSU from the moment I got to campus. The … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like a home away from home’: Woods commits to run track at SDSU

‘I knew it was where I wanted to be!’: Jags’ Martin to play soccer at Missouri Western

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At the end of her junior basketball season, Ankeny Centennial's Ava Martin wasn't planning to play a sport in college. But she had a change of heart. "I reconsidered," Martin said. "I was unsure for awhile, but I couldn’t imagine myself being done with soccer after high school. That led me to go out for club soccer this past fall where I had great … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was where I wanted to be!’: Jags’ Martin to play soccer at Missouri Western

‘I am super excited for this opportunity’: Mohrhauser commits to run for Drake

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Ankeny Centennial distance runner Anika Mohrhauser has decided to stay close to home. The senior verbally committed this week to join the Drake women's track and cross country programs. "I am super excited for this opportunity to get a great education and be able to compete for my school!" said Mohrhauser. "The deciding process was very hard and took a … [Read more...] about ‘I am super excited for this opportunity’: Mohrhauser commits to run for Drake

‘She will be greatly missed’: Centennial boys’ tennis coach Lewton passes away

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Will Blevins will always appreciate the role that Tami Lewton played in his success on the tennis court. "Tami was instrumental in my career," the former Ankeny Centennial star said. "I had known Tami since I was about 10 years old, and we met at the Ankeny tennis courts. I began taking lessons with her and then she helped me to find other pros and clubs … [Read more...] about ‘She will be greatly missed’: Centennial boys’ tennis coach Lewton passes away

‘I’m absolutely proud of our girls’: Jaguars lose heartbreaker to Waukee NW in PKs

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There was nothing for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players to hang their heads about. The eighth-ranked Jaguars ended their season on Tuesday with a 3-2 loss to No. 1 Waukee Northwest in a shootout in the Class 3A quarterfinals of the state tournament at Cownie Park. "I'm not going to fault the players," said Centennial coach Chris Allen, whose … [Read more...] about ‘I’m absolutely proud of our girls’: Jaguars lose heartbreaker to Waukee NW in PKs