Ankeny wrestler Dana Cleveland didn't let a disappointing loss in Thursday's quarterfinals prevent her from becoming the first state placewinner in girls' program history. The junior responded by winning three of four matches on Friday to earn a fourth-place finish at 135 pounds in the inaugural girls' tournament at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. "It … [Read more...] about CLEVELAND ROCKS: Ankeny junior takes 4th, becomes program’s 1st placewinner
Winter
‘This tournament was hard for us’: Only 1 Ankeny wrestler remains alive at state
The opening rounds of the inaugural girls' state wrestling tournament drew an overflow crowd on Thursday to the Xtream Arena in Coralville. Ankeny started the day with eight state qualifiers, but four of them were eliminated during the first session after losing their first two matches. Three more of the team's qualifiers were eliminated during the … [Read more...] about ‘This tournament was hard for us’: Only 1 Ankeny wrestler remains alive at state
Centennial tops Prairie behind Winkel, Bryan; Jaguars will host Ankeny Friday
Luke Winkel and Evan Bryan combined for 51 points to lead the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 71-55 victory at Cedar Rapids Prairie in a non-conference game on Monday. Winkel poured in 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting, while Bryan added 20 on 7-of-10 shooting. It was a career-high for both players, who each had a pair of 3-point … [Read more...] about Centennial tops Prairie behind Winkel, Bryan; Jaguars will host Ankeny Friday
Pairings announced for girls’ state tourney; Ankeny duo earns top-5 seeds
The pairings have been announced for the inaugural girls' state wrestling tournament on Thursday and Friday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. Eight Ankeny wrestlers qualified for the tournament by placing among the top four finishers in a super regional on Friday at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Only three schools had more qualifiers than … [Read more...] about Pairings announced for girls’ state tourney; Ankeny duo earns top-5 seeds
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Elyse Engebretson, Ankeny girls’ wrestling
Sophomore Elyse Engebretson is one of eight state qualifiers for the Ankeny girls' wrestling team. She helped lead the squad to a runner-up finish in a regional tournament on Friday at the Iowa Events Center. Engebretson pinned all three of her opponents to win the 115-pound title. In the finals, she recorded a fall over Jasmine Oleson of Cedar Falls in 1 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Elyse Engebretson, Ankeny girls’ wrestling
‘We didn’t quite deserve it’: Jaguars lose late lead, fall at No. 2 Johnston in OT
A week ago, the Johnston girls' basketball team suffered its first loss in 43 games, proving that the second-ranked Dragons are beatable. On Friday, the defending state champions nearly took another loss--this time on their home court. No. 6 Ankeny Centennial built a 49-42 lead with 2 minutes 51 seconds left, but Johnston used a 10-3 run to force … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t quite deserve it’: Jaguars lose late lead, fall at No. 2 Johnston in OT
Ankeny advances 2 champions, 6 other qualifiers to girls’ state wrestling tourney
Friday was another historic day for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program. Competing in a regional tournament at the Iowa Events Center, Ankeny placed second in the 25-team field and qualified eight of its wrestlers for the first girls' state tournament next week at Xtream Arena in Coralville. "It was a great day!" said Ankeny coach Dustin Roland. "We … [Read more...] about Ankeny advances 2 champions, 6 other qualifiers to girls’ state wrestling tourney
After slow start, Centennial boys pull away in 2nd half for 78-48 win at Carlisle
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team pulled away in the second half for a 78-48 victory at Carlisle in a non-conference game on Thursday. The seventh-ranked Jaguars held a 32-23 lead at halftime. They extended the margin to 54-34 after three quarters, then continued to pull away in the final period. "We were pretty inconsistent the first half, … [Read more...] about After slow start, Centennial boys pull away in 2nd half for 78-48 win at Carlisle
‘Things just kind of snowballed’: Waukee builds big lead in 72-58 win over Jaguars
This time, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team couldn't make a dramatic rally against Waukee. The seventh-ranked Jaguars--who nearly overcame an 18-point deficit in a 55-52 loss at Waukee on Dec. 16--got off to a slow start in Tuesday's rematch at Centennial and fell behind by 30 points in the third quarter. The No. 2 Warriors went on to post a … [Read more...] about ‘Things just kind of snowballed’: Waukee builds big lead in 72-58 win over Jaguars
No. 6 Centennial girls roll past Waukee for their 7th victory in last 8 games
After a rare Friday night off, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team returned to the court on Tuesday and put together a complete performance. The sixth-ranked Jaguars placed four players in double figures and rolled past No. 14 Waukee, 55-36, in a CIML Conference game at Centennial. It was their second 19-point win over the Warriors, who had … [Read more...] about No. 6 Centennial girls roll past Waukee for their 7th victory in last 8 games
‘We got off to a great start’: Jaguars jump out to 29-4 lead, romp past Burke (Neb.)
Coming off its worst loss of the season, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team rebounded in a big way. The fifth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 29-4 lead in the first quarter and went on to defeat visiting Burke (Neb.), 70-36, in a non-conference game on Friday. "We got off to a great start," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana, whose team had … [Read more...] about ‘We got off to a great start’: Jaguars jump out to 29-4 lead, romp past Burke (Neb.)
Jaguars avenge loss to No. 4 Valley, move into 3rd-place tie with Tigers
When the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team suffered a loss at Valley last month, the Jaguars were held to a season-low 40 points. On Tuesday night, that same offensive output was enough to produce a 40-34 victory in a rematch between the two teams at Centennial. "Valley's been a top-five team all year long," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. … [Read more...] about Jaguars avenge loss to No. 4 Valley, move into 3rd-place tie with Tigers
Ankeny girls rack up 26 pins, crown 5 champs en route to CIML team title
During the regular season, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team went undefeated against the other schools in the CIML Conference. On Tuesday, Ankeny defeated those teams again to win the CIML individual tournament at Valley. It crowned five champions and racked up 230 points, 13 more than runner-up Raccoon River Northwest. Southeast Polk placed third in … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rack up 26 pins, crown 5 champs en route to CIML team title
‘They’re playing at a very high level’: Tigers race past Centennial in 2nd half
Tuesday's showdown at Ankeny Centennial was a battle for third place in the CIML Conference boys' basketball standings. Fourth-ranked Valley turned the game into a rout. The Tigers closed out the third quarter with a 21-4 run to build a 65-44 advantage and went on to defeat No. 5 Centennial, 83-55. They shot 64.8 percent from the field (35-of-54) while … [Read more...] about ‘They’re playing at a very high level’: Tigers race past Centennial in 2nd half
Engebretson, Bishop win titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Sharp Invite
Ankeny girls' wrestling coach Dustin Roland was happy with his team's first-place finish in the Bob Sharp Invitational on Saturday at Southview Middle School. But he still wants more from his squad. "It wasn't our best outing, but we were able to edge Mason City for the team title," Roland said. "We won most of the matches we should have, but dropped … [Read more...] about Engebretson, Bishop win titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Sharp Invite
‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys bounce back from loss to beat J-Hawks
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team missed an opportunity to make up some ground in the CIML Conference when Waukee Northwest lost to Valley on Tuesday--because the Jaguars also lost at Dowling Catholic. Centennial took advantage of another opportunity Friday when league leader Waukee lost at Ankeny. This time, the fourth-ranked Jaguars posted … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys bounce back from loss to beat J-Hawks
With a chip on their shoulder, Jaguars romp to 77-28 victory at Urbandale
Each time the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has suffered a loss this season, the Jaguars have bounced back with a resounding victory. Seventh-ranked Centennial did it again on Friday with a 77-28 win at Urbandale. The Jaguars are now 4-0 in games after a loss--with an average winning margin of 35.8 points. "You hope when you're coming off a … [Read more...] about With a chip on their shoulder, Jaguars romp to 77-28 victory at Urbandale
FOUL PLAY: Jaguars adjust slowly to ‘tighter whistle’ in loss at No. 8 Dowling
Some early foul trouble proved to be disastrous for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team on Tuesday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars fell behind in the first quarter at No. 8 Dowling Catholic, 22-10, and could never recover. The Maroons went on to post a 57-40 victory. "We just didn't play well enough," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. "The foul … [Read more...] about FOUL PLAY: Jaguars adjust slowly to ‘tighter whistle’ in loss at No. 8 Dowling
‘They were the more aggressive team’: Dowling avenges 37-point loss to Jags
There are no nights off in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team learned that lesson on Tuesday night. The fourth-ranked Jaguars suffered a 52-47 loss at Dowling Catholic, which avenged last month's 78-41 shellacking at Centennial. "Hats off to them," Centennial coach Bob Fontana said of the Maroons. "They … [Read more...] about ‘They were the more aggressive team’: Dowling avenges 37-point loss to Jags
Ankeny girls rout Urbandale, then edge Rams to claim league dual-meet crown
Chalk up another accomplishment for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program in its inaugural season. Ankeny wrapped up the CIML Conference dual-meet championship with a pair of wins over Urbandale and host Southeast Polk on Tuesday. Coach Dustin Roland's team rolled to a 72-6 victory over the J-Hawks, then followed with a 42-34 win over the Rams. Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rout Urbandale, then edge Rams to claim league dual-meet crown