(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Jordyn Kennedy has officially entered into the Ankeny Centennial softball record book. During Monday night’s home doubleheader against Dowling Catholic, the junior slugger crushed her 36th career home run to surpass former Ankeny and Centennial great Kendyl Lindaman as the Jaguars’ new all-time home run record holder. “It … [Read more...] about ‘It feels good!’: Kennedy sets Centennial home run record during Jaguars’ sweep
Softball
‘To be mentioned alongside her is a great honor!’: Kennedy ties Lindaman’s HR mark
Jordyn Kennedy helped the Ankeny Centennial softball team to a pair of victories in the Jaguar Invitational on Friday. The junior slugger also made some history. Kennedy went 3-for-3 with a double, two home runs and four RBIs as the third-ranked Jaguars opened the tournament with a 6-3 win over Creston, the No. 15 team in Class 4A. She now has seven … [Read more...] about ‘To be mentioned alongside her is a great honor!’: Kennedy ties Lindaman’s HR mark
No. 2 Waukee NW blanks Centennial, then No. 3 Jaguars return favor in nightcap
The Ankeny Centennial softball team rebounded in a big way from its first shutout loss of the season. After dropping a 4-0 decision at second-ranked Waukee Northwest in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday, the No. 3 Jaguars bounced back with a 9-0 victory in six innings in the nightcap to earn a split. "It was a good night against one of the … [Read more...] about No. 2 Waukee NW blanks Centennial, then No. 3 Jaguars return favor in nightcap
‘We found a way to get it done’: Jaguars earn split vs. S.E. Polk with 10-run inning
Apparently, no lead is safe against the Ankeny Centennial softball team. The second-ranked Jaguars showed on Wednesday that they are fully capable of overcoming a huge deficit. Trailing 10-3 in the second game of a doubleheader against visiting Southeast Polk, Centennial erupted for 10 runs in the fifth inning and then held on for a 13-12 win, allowing … [Read more...] about ‘We found a way to get it done’: Jaguars earn split vs. S.E. Polk with 10-run inning
Jaguars toss back-to-back no-hitters in doubleheader sweep over Lincoln girls
Kori Lincicum started two of the first three games in the pitcher's circle for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Friday's non-conference doubleheader against visiting Des Moines Lincoln showed that the second-ranked Jaguars have plenty of pitching depth behind Lincicum. Three other hurlers combined on a pair of no-hitters as Centennial swept the … [Read more...] about Jaguars toss back-to-back no-hitters in doubleheader sweep over Lincoln girls
‘The girls rebounded well’: Centennial sweeps doubleheader at No. 10 Johnston
The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team bounced back from a season-opening loss to sweep a doubleheader on Thursday at No. 10 Johnston. The Jaguars posted a 3-2 victory in the opener, then rolled to a 9-0 win in five innings in the nightcap. They are now 2-1 in the CIML Conference and overall, while Johnston's records dropped to 1-2 and … [Read more...] about ‘The girls rebounded well’: Centennial sweeps doubleheader at No. 10 Johnston
‘It just didn’t work out tonight’: Jaguars open season with 4-3 loss at Waukee
While the Waukee softball team opened its season on Tuesday with a doubleheader sweep over Des Moines Lincoln, Ankeny Centennial wasn't as fortunate. The Jaguars were hoping to tune up for their CIML Conference opener at Waukee with a game at Norwalk, but Tuesday's non-conference contest was postponed due to rain. Without a game under its belt, … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t work out tonight’: Jaguars open season with 4-3 loss at Waukee
Centennial is No. 2, Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A in first softball rankings of season
The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union released its first softball rankings of the season on Tuesday. Ankeny Centennial is No. 2 in Class 5A behind CIML Conference rival Waukee Northwest. The Jaguars will open their season on Tuesday night with a non-conference game at Norwalk, the No. 7 team in Class 4A. Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Centennial is No. 2, Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A in first softball rankings of season
Loaded Centennial squad embraces team-first mentality heading into season
Scoring runs likely won't be a problem this season for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. The Jaguars will again boast two of the state's top hitters in Jordyn Kennedy and Mady Ott. They led the team to a 29-10 record and a share of the CIML Conference title a year ago after playing key roles on Centennial's state championship squad in 2023. Those … [Read more...] about Loaded Centennial squad embraces team-first mentality heading into season
Ski-U-Mah!: Centennial softball star Kennedy commits to play for Minnesota
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
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