Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

‘We know every night will be a battle’: Delger, Jags ready for grueling schedule

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Matt Delger spent the last decade preparing for an opportunity that has now arrived. The longtime assistant coach under Bob Fontana has taken over the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball program. He was Fontana's top assistant the last three years after coaching the sophomore team for the previous eight. "The transition has been easy," said Delger. "I … [Read more...] about ‘We know every night will be a battle’: Delger, Jags ready for grueling schedule

‘There will be some growing pains’: Only 3 players return as Jaguars begin new era

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When legendary Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball coach Scott DeJong announced his retirement at the end of last season, it marked the end of an era in more ways than one. Not only was DeJong stepping down after a 37-year coaching career that saw him win a record seven state titles, but the Jaguars also graduated nine of the 12 players from last year's … [Read more...] about ‘There will be some growing pains’: Only 3 players return as Jaguars begin new era

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Trudy Haag, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

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Senior Trudy Haag placed fourth at 130 pounds in the Central Iowa Kickoff on Saturday at Nevada. She helped the Ankeny girls' wrestling squad to a third-place finish in the 33-team field. Haag is a three-time state qualifier who placed fifth in Class 2A at 120 as a junior, when she helped Ankeny to a runner-up finish. She has won 99 matches in her … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Trudy Haag, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

‘What a stud’: Bratland outlasts two-time state champ, wins title at Nevada tourney

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Ankeny's Hayden Bratland has won a lot of big matches in her wrestling career. Saturday's victory over Colbie Tenborg of Saydel in the Central Iowa Kickoff at Nevada may have been one of her biggest yet. Bratland, the defending Class 2A state champion at 140 pounds, posted a 7-5 decision over Tenborg in the title match at 145. Tenborg is a two-time … [Read more...] about ‘What a stud’: Bratland outlasts two-time state champ, wins title at Nevada tourney

Ankeny girls ‘take care of business’, roll to 66-15 victory over West Des Moines team

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After handling business in its season-opening triangular meet, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team turned around on Thursday and flexed its muscles in the squad's first CIML Conference dual of the season. Ankeny walked into Valley High School and won 11 of 14 matches with seven wins by fall and four forfeits for a 66-15 victory … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls ‘take care of business’, roll to 66-15 victory over West Des Moines team

Ankeny girls get 2 falls from Shade, 3 others in victories over W-SR, Decorah

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team came away with a pair of victories on Tuesday in a season-opening triangular meet at Waverly-Shell Rock. Ankeny won 10 of the 14 matches to post a 60-19 triumph over the host Go-Hawks. The team recorded six falls and won four other matches by forfeit. Ankeny also defeated Decorah, 49-30. The squad had five more pins … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls get 2 falls from Shade, 3 others in victories over W-SR, Decorah

‘We would be selling ourselves short’: Ankeny girls look to win title in 4th season

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The fourth season for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program promises to be another exciting one. Seven state qualifiers are back from a team that earned runner-up honors in last year's Class 2A state tournament, led by defending state champion Hayden Bratland. "We return the second-most state tournament points behind Raccoon River-Northwest," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘We would be selling ourselves short’: Ankeny girls look to win title in 4th season

Centennial wrestling star Vandermark signs letter of intent with Cyclones

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As a three-time state placewinner with a career record of 120-18, Ankeny Centennial standout Cale Vandermark attracted heavy interest from all three of Iowa's NCAA Division I wrestling programs. In the end, Vandermark decided to stay close to home--signing a letter of intent to compete for Iowa State next year. A strong student as well, he will receive … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestling star Vandermark signs letter of intent with Cyclones

Jaguars’ Maizie Smith to join her sister, Tillie, on NIACC women’s basketball team

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Ankeny Centennial's Maizie Smith will continue her basketball career at the collegiate level. Smith, a guard, announced her verbal commitment on Friday to play for North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. The senior-to-be will be reunited with her sister Tillie, who graduated from Centennial in May. Tillie initially committed to play for Grand … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ Maizie Smith to join her sister, Tillie, on NIACC women’s basketball team

‘You want to get the best of the best’: Jags hire Delger, Harken to coach hoops teams

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Ankeny Centennial Activities Director Nate Lingren didn't have to look very far to find replacements for legendary basketball coaches Scott DeJong and Bob Fontana. Both of the Jaguars' new coaches were already in the building. Matt Delger, Fontana's former assistant, has been hired to take over the boys' program. He was introduced on Wednesday. "I … [Read more...] about ‘You want to get the best of the best’: Jags hire Delger, Harken to coach hoops teams

IGHSAU announces State Dual Meet Tourney coming to girls’ wrestling in 2027

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The Board of Directors at the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) unanimously approved the implementation of a girls' wrestling state dual tournament for the 2026-27 season. “A state dual meet tournament is something that our wrestling schools have wanted,” said IGHSAU Executive Director Erin Gerlich. “The impressive growth of girls' wrestling … [Read more...] about IGHSAU announces State Dual Meet Tourney coming to girls’ wrestling in 2027

Centennial guard Jensen commits to play basketball next year at Wartburg College

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Ankeny Centennial senior guard Rex Jensen has committed to play basketball for Wartburg College next year. Jensen announced his decision on social media last week. "Blessed to announce I will be continuing my academic and basketball career at Wartburg College!" Jensen tweeted on X. Jensen helped the Jaguars to a 5-17 record this season. He started … [Read more...] about Centennial guard Jensen commits to play basketball next year at Wartburg College

‘It was an amazing run’: DeJong retires after 37 seasons, record 7 state titles

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When Scott DeJong came to Ankeny in 1993 to take over the girls' basketball program, he replaced a legendary coach in Dick Rasmussen. Now, more than three decades later, DeJong has put an end to his own legendary career. The only head coach in Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball history, DeJong announced his retirement on Tuesday--shortly after giving … [Read more...] about ‘It was an amazing run’: DeJong retires after 37 seasons, record 7 state titles

THE END OF AN ERA: Jaguars’ coaching legend DeJong announces retirement

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Girls' basketball coaching legend Scott DeJong of Ankeny Centennial has retired after 37 seasons, including the last 12 with the Jaguars. DeJong turned in his resignation letter to Activities Director Nate Lingren on Tuesday afternoon. "I had thought I would be doing this, but when it came down to it, I had a hard time writing the letter," DeJong said. … [Read more...] about THE END OF AN ERA: Jaguars’ coaching legend DeJong announces retirement

‘I need to catch my breath’: Fontana steps down from Jags’ program after 12 years

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The only head coach in Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball history has stepped down from the program. Bob Fontana has resigned from his position after guiding the Jaguars to a 173-101 record over the last 12 seasons. "Not many coaches can say they got to come home and start a new program in a new school," said Fontana, who compiled a 474-299 mark … [Read more...] about ‘I need to catch my breath’: Fontana steps down from Jags’ program after 12 years

Crawford, Pratt to play in Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at DC-G

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Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball standouts Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt will both compete in the 2025 Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Crawford and Pratt will both play for the Southwest Iowa team that will be coached by Maddie Gelber of Roland-Story and Jon Weinrich of Shenandoah. North Polk senior Abby Tuttle will also … [Read more...] about Crawford, Pratt to play in Pizza Ranch All Star Games on Saturday at DC-G

‘I have high expectations’: McGrew to wrestle for Simpson College, McGinness

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Ankeny girls' wrestling standout Haylee McGrew is hoping to reach her potential at the collegiate level. Perhaps an Iowa wrestling legend will help her get there. McGrew has verbally committed to wrestle at Simpson College, which started its program in February of 2022 by naming Jeff McGinness the team's first head coach. The Storm completed its third … [Read more...] about ‘I have high expectations’: McGrew to wrestle for Simpson College, McGinness

Anderson places 7th at Big 12 Tourney, earns trip to NCAA Championships

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Former Ankeny standout Trever Anderson has qualified for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. A redshirt sophomore at Northern Iowa, Anderson automatically qualified with a seventh-place finish at 125 pounds in the Big 12 Championships last weekend at Tulsa, Okla. After splitting his first four matches in the tournament, Anderson was locked in … [Read more...] about Anderson places 7th at Big 12 Tourney, earns trip to NCAA Championships