Ankeny Centennial softball star Jordyn Kennedy is headed to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The junior announced on Thursday that she has verbally committed to play for Minnesota, beginning in the fall of 2026. She becomes the second player in Centennial history to commit to the Gophers, following in the footsteps of Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union … [Read more...] about Ski-U-Mah!: Centennial softball star Kennedy commits to play for Minnesota
Softball
Lincicum commits to play softball at Drake, will remain teammates with Ott
About two weeks after her Ankeny Centennial teammate committed to play softball at Drake, junior Kori Lincicum has decided to follow in Mady Ott's footsteps. Lincicum announced on Wednesday that she has verbally committed to the Bulldogs as well. "I am very excited to be able to play with Mady because we already have a bond and will push each other to … [Read more...] about Lincicum commits to play softball at Drake, will remain teammates with Ott
‘I’m so excited to be going to Drake’: Centennial star Ott to play for Bulldogs
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
IGHSAU: State softball tourney to move to double elimination format in 2026
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
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Lauren Sandholm, Centennial softball
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
‘This was a tough loss’: Defending state champs fall to Waukee in regional final
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
‘It’s just one step at a time’: Jaguars rout Marshalltown, will host Waukee next
(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
MADYBOMB: Ott’s walk-off blast finishes sweep, gives Jags at least share of crown
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
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Addi Starr, Ankeny Centennial softball
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
(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
Kennedy, Ott hit back-to-back blasts in Centennial’s 6-2 victory at Fort Dodge
Jordyn Kennedy and Mady Ott hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning and the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team went on to post a 6-2 victory at Fort Dodge in a non-conference game on Wednesday. The Jaguars snapped a three-game losing skid while improving their record to 25-8. Fort Dodge, the No. 4 team in Class 4A, dropped to … [Read more...] about Kennedy, Ott hit back-to-back blasts in Centennial’s 6-2 victory at Fort Dodge
Centennial softball team falls to Indianola, Norwalk at Dallas Center-Grimes Invite
Stepping out of conference play, the Ankeny Centennial softball team faced two opponents on Friday at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational and suffered a pair of losses. The fourth-ranked Jaguars opened the tournament by dropping an 8-6 decision to Indianola in a seesaw battle. They later fell to Norwalk, 4-1. "We'll be all right," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Centennial softball team falls to Indianola, Norwalk at Dallas Center-Grimes Invite
Sandholm, Boyle combine on no-hitter; Ott, Wills hit homers in Jaguars’ victory
The Ankeny Centennial softball team erupted for six runs in the first inning and went on to post a 10-0 victory at Interstate 35 (Truro) in a non-conference game on Monday. Lauren Sandholm (10-3) and Cora Boyle combined on a no-hitter as top-ranked Centennial improved to 23-5 on the season. The Jaguars won for the 14th time in their last 15 … [Read more...] about Sandholm, Boyle combine on no-hitter; Ott, Wills hit homers in Jaguars’ victory
Boyle uses her arm, bat to lead Jaguars past Lincoln for split of doubleheader
Friday's non-conference doubleheader at the Rails Academy & Sports Complex matched a pair of softball teams riding long winning streaks. Host Des Moines Lincoln used a four-run third inning to post a 4-2 victory over top-ranked Ankeny Centennial in the opener. The loss snapped the Jaguars' 12-game winning streak. It was the seventh consecutive win … [Read more...] about Boyle uses her arm, bat to lead Jaguars past Lincoln for split of doubleheader
‘Tonight was a special night’: Seniors help Jaguars to another sweep, into first place
Just call it a perfect dozen. The Ankeny Centennial softball team extended its winning streak to 12 games with a doubleheader sweep over visiting Dowling Catholic on Monday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars posted a 10-0 victory in six innings in the opener, then followed with a 10-2 win in the nightcap. "Tonight was a special night for us," said Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘Tonight was a special night’: Seniors help Jaguars to another sweep, into first place
Jaguars roll past Waukee twice, move into tie for first place in CIML Conference
The Ankeny Centennial softball team moved into a tie for first place in the CIML Conference by sweeping a doubleheader against visiting Waukee on Wednesday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 10-0 victory in five innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with an 8-4 triumph. They improved to 7-1 in the conference and 15-4 overall, while No. 9 … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Waukee twice, move into tie for first place in CIML Conference
‘We just had to find a different way’: Jaguars grind out sweep over Cedar Falls
After pounding six home runs during a doubleheader sweep over Linn-Mar (Marion) on Saturday, the Ankeny Centennial softball team didn't rely as much on the long ball during Monday's twinbill against visiting Cedar Falls. The fourth-ranked Jaguars hit only two roundtrippers while sweeping the non-conference games by scores of 9-2 and 6-3. They improved to … [Read more...] about ‘We just had to find a different way’: Jaguars grind out sweep over Cedar Falls
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Mady Ott, Ankeny Centennial softball
Sophomore outfielder Mady Ott has helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to an 11-4 record. She is batting .429 with four home runs, three doubles and 12 RBIs. Ott's bat heated up in the last week, when she homered four times during a six-game stretch. She hit a grand slam in the Jaguars' 10-4 victory over No. 13 Southeast Polk in the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Mady Ott, Ankeny Centennial softball
Kennedy blasts 4 homers, drives in 8 runs in Centennial’s sweep over Linn-Mar
Opposing softball teams have often pitched carefully to Ankeny Centennial's Jordyn Kennedy this season. Linn-Mar (Marion) decided to challenge the sophomore slugger on Saturday. The strategy backfired in a big way. Kennedy went 6-for-6 with four home runs, a double and eight RBIs as the fourth-ranked Jaguars swept a non-conference doubleheader on … [Read more...] about Kennedy blasts 4 homers, drives in 8 runs in Centennial’s sweep over Linn-Mar
Jaguars post 5-1 victory over Waterloo West before Wahawks salvage split
The Ankeny Centennial softball team extended its winning streak to four games with a 5-1 victory over visiting Waterloo West in the opener of a non-conference doubleheader on Friday before the Wahawks earned a split with a 3-2 win in the nightcap. The Jaguars (9-4) pounded out 10 hits in the first game. Jordyn Kennedy went 3-for-3 with a double and scored … [Read more...] about Jaguars post 5-1 victory over Waterloo West before Wahawks salvage split