Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

‘Great round’ sends Centennial trio into Saturday’s championship matches

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Ben Monroe has waited 365 days for another opportunity to win a state wrestling title. Two of his Ankeny Centennial teammates, Eric Owens and Logan Neils, had their own championship aspirations. Now, the trio will get their chance on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena. All three of them won semifinal matches on Friday afternoon to advance to the Class … [Read more...] about ‘Great round’ sends Centennial trio into Saturday’s championship matches

Centennial boys lose Kelling to injury, then roll to victory over Scarlets

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Despite the loss of another starter to an injury, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team rolled to its third consecutive victory on Thursday. The Jaguars shot 60 percent from the field (33-of-55) and cruised to an 84-37 win at Des Moines East, raising their record to 7-12 on the season. It was the 13th straight loss for the Scarlets, who fell to … [Read more...] about Centennial boys lose Kelling to injury, then roll to victory over Scarlets

Jaguars edge Fort Dodge for 3rd place at state duals tournament

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After suffering its first dual-meet loss of the season, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team didn't have to wait long to get back onto the mat. The Jaguars rebounded from a semifinal loss to Waverly-Shell Rock with a 34-33 victory over defending champion Fort Dodge in the Class 3A third-place match at the state duals tournament on Wednesday night at Wells … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge Fort Dodge for 3rd place at state duals tournament

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kamron Francis, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Kamron Francis is a member of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The junior guard has helped the Jaguars to a 6-12 record. He is averaging 1.5 points per game and has made 2-of-3 attempts from 3-point range this season. Centennial will play a make-up game at Des Moines East on Thursday before closing out the regular season on Friday at Des … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kamron Francis, Centennial boys’ basketball

Jaguars will face Bettendorf in Class 3A quarterfinals of state duals tournament

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It's already been an historic winter for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers. On Wednesday, the Jaguars will try to add another chapter to their storybook season. Third-seeded Centennial will make its first appearance in the state duals tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The Jaguars (19-0) will face sixth-seeded Bettendorf in the Class 3A quarterfinals at 9 … [Read more...] about Jaguars will face Bettendorf in Class 3A quarterfinals of state duals tournament

Jaguars capture district title, advance 9 wrestlers to state tournament

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Coach Jay Groth doesn't want his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to get caught looking ahead. He prefers to have the Jaguars focus on their immediate task. "The emphasis is just to score the next point and everything else will take care of itself," Groth said. On Saturday, that strategy resulted in a Class 3A district title for Groth's team, marking a … [Read more...] about Jaguars capture district title, advance 9 wrestlers to state tournament

Centennial boys hold off J-Hawks for their 2nd straight victory

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After losing its starting point guard for the season, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team still found a way to win Friday's game against visiting Urbandale. The Jaguars pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 56-45 victory, their second in a row following a seven-game losing skid. They finished 3-7 in the CIML Central Conference and improved to … [Read more...] about Centennial boys hold off J-Hawks for their 2nd straight victory

Jaguars stumble against Urbandale, will look to bounce back on Monday

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It's a good thing that the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team will play a make-up game at Des Moines East on Monday. The Jaguars would like to regain some momentum before the start of postseason play later next week. "We need to get out and play again," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. The ninth-ranked Jaguars were coming off back-to-back … [Read more...] about Jaguars stumble against Urbandale, will look to bounce back on Monday

Hawks, Jaguars to host rematches in substate openers on Feb. 18

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams will start postseason play at home. Coaches' seed meetings were held on Wednesday throughout the state to determine the substate pairings. Ankeny received a No. 3 seed in Class 4A Substate 7, while Centennial earned a No. 4 seed in Substate 8. Ankeny (11-6) will host Des Moines Roosevelt … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars to host rematches in substate openers on Feb. 18

Jaguars pummel Johnston, punch their ticket to state duals tournament

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers aren't satisfied with just qualifying for the state duals tournament. The Jaguars are looking to capture the Class 3A crown. Third-ranked Centennial advanced to the tournament for the first time in school history with a 54-19 victory over No. 14 Johnston in a regional final on Wednesday at Centennial. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about Jaguars pummel Johnston, punch their ticket to state duals tournament

Jaguars rely on balanced scoring, rugged defense to beat Mason City

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One of the hallmarks of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball program under coach Scott DeJong has been a rugged defense. The Jaguars typically try to wear down their opponents over the course of a 32-minute game. On Tuesday, Centennial's strategy may have benefited from a quirk in the schedule. Its opponent, Mason City, was coming off a 90-78 loss … [Read more...] about Jaguars rely on balanced scoring, rugged defense to beat Mason City

Centennial boys snap losing skid behind career-highs from Kelling, Brandt

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For the first time since Jan. 4, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team walked off the court Tuesday with a victory. The Jaguars snapped a seven-game losing skid with an 83-56 win over visiting Mason City. They improved to 5-12 on the season, while the Mohawks' record dropped to 6-12. "It was a big shot in the arm for us," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about Centennial boys snap losing skid behind career-highs from Kelling, Brandt

Centennial girls avenge loss to Ames behind Sauer’s double-double

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Kenna Sauer had a sour taste in her mouth following Friday's game at Johnston. Less than 24 hours later, she had a chance to do something about it. The senior forward tied a season-high with 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the ninth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 47-39 victory at No. 14 Ames on Saturday. "(Friday) … [Read more...] about Centennial girls avenge loss to Ames behind Sauer’s double-double

Ames boys knock off Jaguars to keep conference title hopes alive

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The shooting woes continued on Saturday for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars shot just 38.6 percent from the field (17-of-44) and dropped a 62-42 decision at Ames for their seventh consecutive loss. Their records fell to 2-7 in the CIML Central Conference and 4-12 overall. During its losing streak, Centennial has made just 40.6 … [Read more...] about Ames boys knock off Jaguars to keep conference title hopes alive

Jaguars connect on just 11-of-46 shots in loss to No. 3 Johnston

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The recent frigid temperatures may have cooled off the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. It took a late 3-point goal by reserve Jenny Hagg to prevent the Jaguars from setting a dubious record on Friday. Hagg connected from behind the arc with 45 seconds left to produce the final points of the game in Centennial's 46-27 loss at third-ranked … [Read more...] about Jaguars connect on just 11-of-46 shots in loss to No. 3 Johnston

Cold-shooting Centennial boys drop their 6th consecutive game

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There's still time for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to turn its season around. But the Jaguars will need to find some answers for their shooting woes. Centennial scored just 12 points in the first half and went on to suffer a 53-35 loss at Johnston on Friday, its sixth in a row. The Jaguars dropped to 2-6 in the CIML Central Conference … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Centennial boys drop their 6th consecutive game

Centennial wrestlers top Valley on historic night for Groth, Blubaugh

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Jay Groth has been a high school wrestling coach in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League for the last quarter of a century. He accomplished something on Thursday that he had never done before. Groth guided third-ranked Ankeny Centennial to a 40-24 victory over No. 7 Valley in the regular-season finale for both teams at Centennial. It was Groth's first … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers top Valley on historic night for Groth, Blubaugh

Girls’ pairings announced: Hawkettes, Jaguars to host 5A regional semifinals

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The Class 5A regional basketball pairings have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Ankeny has been placed in Region 2, while Ankeny Centennial has been placed in Region 8. The Hawkettes (7-10) are seeded second in their bracket. They will host a semifinal game against Des Moines East (9-7) or Des Moines North (2-14) on Feb. 16 at … [Read more...] about Girls’ pairings announced: Hawkettes, Jaguars to host 5A regional semifinals

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Scott Talmadge, Ankeny Centennial wrestling

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Sophomore Scott Talmadge is a member of the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Talmadge has helped the Jaguars to a 17-0 record and a No. 3 ranking in Class 3A according to the Iowa Wrestling Coaches Association dual rankings. "Scott has done a great job filling in at 126 pounds and has wrestled tough and worked hard to overcome an early season … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Scott Talmadge, Ankeny Centennial wrestling