Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Summer

‘I’m so excited to be going to Drake’: Centennial star Ott to play for Bulldogs

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One of the state's best softball players has ended her recruiting battle. Ankeny Centennial junior outfielder Mady Ott announced on Tuesday that she has verbally committed to Drake. She will join the Bulldogs' program in the fall of 2026. "I'm so excited to be going to Drake," said Ott. "This wasn't as tough of a decision as I thought it would be. I … [Read more...] about ‘I’m so excited to be going to Drake’: Centennial star Ott to play for Bulldogs

‘I felt like I could be myself’: Bollwinkel commits to play baseball at Southwestern

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Ankeny Centennial senior Kohen Bollwinkel has verbally committed to play baseball at Southwestern Community College in Creston. Bollwinkel said he picked the Spartans over a handful of other programs. "I had a few schools in mind--some four-year schools around Iowa and several junior colleges--before I made my decision," said Bollwinkel, an outfielder. … [Read more...] about ‘I felt like I could be myself’: Bollwinkel commits to play baseball at Southwestern

IGHSAU: State softball tourney to move to double elimination format in 2026

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The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Board of Directors unanimously approved the Iowa State Softball Tournament moving to a double-elimination format in 2026 at their meeting on Thursday. “Anyone that has watched the Softball College World Series knows how exciting the double-elimination format is,” said IGHSAU Executive Director Erin Gerlich. “We … [Read more...] about IGHSAU: State softball tourney to move to double elimination format in 2026

Centennial’s Arndt commits to play baseball at University of St. Thomas

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Ankeny Centennial pitcher Colton Arndt has verbally committed to play baseball for the University of St. Thomas. Arndt, a junior, said he wanted to stay in the Midwest and found what he was looking for at St. Thomas--which is located in St. Paul, Minn. "I liked that I was going to get a really good education, along with playing baseball at the Division … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Arndt commits to play baseball at University of St. Thomas

Ex-Jaguar catcher Monosmith commits to play baseball at Wayne State College

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Former Ankeny Centennial catcher Gabriel Monosmith has committed to play baseball for Wayne State College. Monosmith helped Ellsworth Community College to a 20-34 record last season. The sophomore batted .314 with five home runs, 19 doubles and 35 RBIs. Monosmith posted a .509 slugging percentage. He was named to the All-Region XI honorable mention … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar catcher Monosmith commits to play baseball at Wayne State College

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Lauren Sandholm, Centennial softball

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Freshman pitcher Lauren Sandholm helped the Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 29-10 record and a share of the CIML Conference championship. Sandholm compiled a 14-7 mark with a 1.58 ERA while recording 150 strikeouts and limiting opposing batters to a .204 average. She also batted .302 with one home run, two doubles and six RBIs. Sandholm was named … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Lauren Sandholm, Centennial softball

Stewart to play for Centennial coach Hey in IHSBCA All Star Series Aug. 1-3 in Pella

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Senior Sean Stewart will get one final chance to play for Ankeny Centennial baseball coach Mark Hey. Stewart has been named to the Large Schools West team that will compete in the 2024 Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association All Star Series on Thursday through Saturday at Pella High School, which will host the event for the first time. Hey will … [Read more...] about Stewart to play for Centennial coach Hey in IHSBCA All Star Series Aug. 1-3 in Pella

‘They just played better and beat us’: Jags drop 2-0 decision to Baumler, Dowling

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While Ankeny Centennial star Joey Oakie elected to turn pro after being selected in the MLB amateur draft, Dowling Catholic's Trever Baumler reportedly turned down some pretty good offers to finish out his high school career and to play college baseball at TCU. The Maroons benefited from that decision on Wednesday night. Baumler tossed a three-hitter … [Read more...] about ‘They just played better and beat us’: Jags drop 2-0 decision to Baumler, Dowling

‘This was a tough loss’: Defending state champs fall to Waukee in regional final

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Back on May 23, the Ankeny Centennial softball team opened its season with a 1-0 loss to eventual Class 4A state qualifier Norwalk. Fifty-four days later, the defending state champion Jaguars closed out their campaign with another shutout loss on their home field. Lillie Struck tossed a two-hitter and retired 13 of the last 14 batters that she faced to … [Read more...] about ‘This was a tough loss’: Defending state champs fall to Waukee in regional final

‘Whatever team selected me would be a dream come true’: Guardians draft Oakie

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When Joey Oakie was passed over on the first night of the MLB amateur draft on Sunday, it appeared that the Ankeny Centennial pitcher might be headed to Iowa to play college baseball. But then his agent called with some big news: There was a team willing to pay him the money that he wanted. On Monday, the Cleveland Guardians selected Oakie in the third … [Read more...] about ‘Whatever team selected me would be a dream come true’: Guardians draft Oakie

‘It’s just one step at a time’: Jaguars rout Marshalltown, will host Waukee next

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial softball team has taken the first step toward defending its Class 5A state championship. The sixth-ranked Jaguars were dominant in every aspect of the game as they romped to a 10-0 victory over visiting Marshalltown in five innings in a regional semifinal on Saturday. “Marshalltown is a real quality … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just one step at a time’: Jaguars rout Marshalltown, will host Waukee next

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Sean Stewart, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Senior pitcher Sean Stewart tossed a five-inning perfect game to lead the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 10-0 victory over visiting Marshalltown in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. He struck out eight of the 15 batters that he retired. Stewart has helped the Jaguars to a 29-10 record. He has compiled a 7-1 mark with a 2.03 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Sean Stewart, Ankeny Centennial baseball

ROAD WARRIORS: Hawks top C.B. Lincoln, will head to Sioux City East on Monday

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Perhaps no team in the state will have to travel farther to make it to the state tournament than the Ankeny baseball squad. The Hawks opened postseason play on Friday with a 5-2 victory over Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal at Iowa Western Community College. "We were very confident as a team," said winning pitcher Jack … [Read more...] about ROAD WARRIORS: Hawks top C.B. Lincoln, will head to Sioux City East on Monday

‘I was ready to go’: Stewart tosses perfect game in Jaguars’ win over Marshalltown

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Sean Stewart used a lot of first-pitch fastballs to get ahead of the Marshalltown hitters on Friday night. The strategy worked perfectly. The Ankeny Centennial senior tossed a five-inning perfect game and the fifth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 10-0 victory in a Class 4A substate baseball quarterfinal at Centennial. "I just got ahead early and then … [Read more...] about ‘I was ready to go’: Stewart tosses perfect game in Jaguars’ win over Marshalltown

Alberhasky tosses 4-hitter, fans 6 as Jaguars edge Valley to close out season

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Despite scoring just six runs over the last 21 innings, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team will take a three-game winning streak into postseason play. The fifth-ranked Jaguars closed out the regular season on Tuesday with a 1-0 victory over visiting Valley. They won a pitcher's duel for the third time in the last 24 hours after sweeping a doubleheader on … [Read more...] about Alberhasky tosses 4-hitter, fans 6 as Jaguars edge Valley to close out season

MADYBOMB: Ott’s walk-off blast finishes sweep, gives Jags at least share of crown

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Ankeny Centennial's Mady Ott was surprised when the Urbandale softball team elected to pitch to her. It was a decision that the 11th-ranked J-Hawks are now regretting. With two outs and first base open, Ott blasted a three-run homer over the flag pole in left-center field to give the No. 6 Jaguars a 10-8 victory in eight innings to complete a sweep of … [Read more...] about MADYBOMB: Ott’s walk-off blast finishes sweep, gives Jags at least share of crown

Morris, Rawlings hurl back-to-back gems as Jaguars sweep Urbandale, 4-1 and 1-0

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team might have the deepest pitching staff in the state. The fifth-ranked Jaguars showed off their tremendous depth on Monday as Will Morris and Tripp Rawlings tossed back-to-back complete games in a doubleheader sweep over visiting Urbandale. Morris threw a four-hitter and had nine strikeouts to lead Centennial to a 4-1 … [Read more...] about Morris, Rawlings hurl back-to-back gems as Jaguars sweep Urbandale, 4-1 and 1-0

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Addi Starr, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Senior catcher and third baseman Addi Starr has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 26-9 record. The Jaguars are 11-3 in the CIML Conference, putting them in a four-way tie for first place atop the league standings heading into Monday's doubleheader at home against No. 11 Urbandale. Starr drove in the winning run in the ninth … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Addi Starr, Ankeny Centennial softball

Jaguars outlast Waukee NW in nightcap, remain tied for CIML Conference lead

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The stage was set heading into Saturday afternoon and things were simple for the Ankeny Centennial softball team: the sixth-ranked Jaguars needed to pull out at least one win against No. 5 Waukee Northwest to stay alive in the race for the CIML Conference title. The Jaguars suffered a 3-1 loss to open up the weekend … [Read more...] about Jaguars outlast Waukee NW in nightcap, remain tied for CIML Conference lead