Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Winter

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

The CIML Invitational: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

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The girls' Class 5A state basketball tournament--also known as the CIML Conference Invitational--resumes on Thursday morning with a semifinal doubleheader at Wells Fargo Arena. All four of the highest seeds from the CIML Conference posted victories in Monday's quarterfinals by an average of 16 points. That means that Friday's championship game will be an … [Read more...] about The CIML Invitational: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mya Crawford, Centennial girls’ basketball

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Senior guard Mya Crawford had 13 points, 11 rebounds, six steals and three blocks to help the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 42-37 victory over No. 13 Southeast Polk in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. The Jaguars advanced to the state tournament for the fifth consecutive year and will play No. 5 Pleasant … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mya Crawford, Centennial girls’ basketball

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Class 5A quarterfinals

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The girls' state basketball tournament tips off on Monday morning at Wells Fargo Arena, and top-ranked Johnston is the favorite to capture its fourth Class 5A championship in six seasons. The Dragons are an incredible 141-6 since the start of the 2019-20 campaign, when their dynasty began. They weren't exactly bad in the previous four seasons either, … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Class 5A quarterfinals

‘They just kept battling’: Jaguars finish 5-17 season with 78-44 loss at No. 4 NW

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team didn't go down without a fight. The Jaguars put a scare into fourth-ranked Waukee Northwest before the host Wolves pulled away in the second half for a 78-44 victory in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. "Our kids were playing hard and playing fearless," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "It was tied … [Read more...] about ‘They just kept battling’: Jaguars finish 5-17 season with 78-44 loss at No. 4 NW