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Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Andrew Mora, Ankeny Christian Academy baseball

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Senior catcher Andrew Mora has helped the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team to a 29-5 record. The Eagles advanced to the state tournament for the first time in program history by posting a 12-10 victory over third-ranked Saint Ansgar, the defending state champion, in a Class 1A substate final on Tuesday at Mason City. Mora, the team's leadoff hitter, … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Andrew Mora, Ankeny Christian Academy baseball

‘We were confident’: Eagles top defending champions, earn first trip to state tourney

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The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball players took the field on Tuesday with no fear of defending state champion Saint Ansgar. The third-ranked Saints entered the Class 1A substate final with a team ERA of 1.37 and had yet to allow a run in postseason play. All three of their previous losses came to larger schools--two to Class 3A Clear Lake and one to … [Read more...] about ‘We were confident’: Eagles top defending champions, earn first trip to state tourney

‘We can beat anybody’: ACA tops AGWSR, will play No. 3 Saint Ansgar for state berth

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The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team has advanced to a Class 1A substate final for the third consecutive year. And this time, the Eagles won't have to play their longtime nemesis from Lynnville-Sully. ACA will face third-ranked Saint Ansgar on Tuesday at Clarion-Goldfield-Dows after rolling to a 9-2 victory over AGWSR in a district final on … [Read more...] about ‘We can beat anybody’: ACA tops AGWSR, will play No. 3 Saint Ansgar for state berth

‘It was a tough way to end the season’: ACA girls drop 8-0 decision to Blue Devils

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The Ankeny Christian Academy softball team entered Friday's Class 1A regional semifinal averaging about 10.7 runs per game. The Eagles had not lost since dropping a 9-1 decision at Southeast Warren on June 16, which marked the only time this season that they scored fewer than four runs. ACA's 11-game winning streak came to an end, though, with its … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough way to end the season’: ACA girls drop 8-0 decision to Blue Devils

‘Things kind of went according to plan’: Eagles blank N. Tama in regional opener

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The Ankeny Christian Academy softball team is on a roll. After closing out the regular season with 10 consecutive victories, the Eagles opened postseason play on Wednesday and extended their winning streak with a 7-0 shutout over visiting North Tama in a Class 1A regional quarterfinal at North Polk Middle School. "We had a plan and executed it well," … [Read more...] about ‘Things kind of went according to plan’: Eagles blank N. Tama in regional opener

‘We’ll take any win we can get’: Eagles survive vs. Madrid, advance to district final

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Survive and advance. That's all that mattered for the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team on Tuesday night. The Eagles survived a late rally by visiting Madrid and held on for an 8-7 victory in a Class 1A district semifinal at North Polk Middle School. The Tigers rallied for three runs in the seventh inning before Kolbie Owens popped out in foul … [Read more...] about ‘We’ll take any win we can get’: Eagles survive vs. Madrid, advance to district final

‘We respect every team we play’: Eagles roll past Mormon Trail to open postseason

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The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball players didn't overlook their first opponent in district play, even though the Eagles had routed Mormon Trail twice during the regular season. Anthony Abbas went 3-for-4, scored two runs and drove in three more to lead ACA to a 21-0 victory over the Saints in four innings in a Class 1A district quarterfinal on Monday … [Read more...] about ‘We respect every team we play’: Eagles roll past Mormon Trail to open postseason

‘This can be the best ACA team ever’: High-scoring Eagles off to 17-4 start

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Friday's doubleheader loss at Bondurant-Farrar did little to dampen Konrad Christensen's enthusiasm. The Ankeny Christian Academy baseball coach is still very high on the postseason prospects for the Eagles, whose overall record is now 17-4. "If we can peak at the right time, this can be the best ACA team ever in my opinion," said Christensen, whose … [Read more...] about ‘This can be the best ACA team ever’: High-scoring Eagles off to 17-4 start

‘The girls are off to a great start’: Eagles edge Melcher-Dallas, raise record to 13-3

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Despite losing all-stater Katie Quick to graduation, the Ankeny Christian Academy softball team is having another successful season in 2026. The Eagles remained unbeaten in the Bluegrass Conference with a 4-3 victory over visiting Melcher-Dallas on Thursday at North Polk Middle School. They are now 12-0 in the league and 13-3 overall. "The girls are … [Read more...] about ‘The girls are off to a great start’: Eagles edge Melcher-Dallas, raise record to 13-3

Ex-Jaguar James helps Simpson softball team reach College World Series semis

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An historic season for Mackenzie James and the Simpson College softball team came to an end on Sunday. James, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, went 1-for-4 at the plate as the Storm fell to Redlands, 6-3, in the Women's College World Series semifinals at Salem, Va. She hit a two-out single in the third inning and scored her team's first run on a … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar James helps Simpson softball team reach College World Series semis

Ex-Jaguar Churchman earns postseason honor after debut season at NICC

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Former Ankeny Centennial baseball standout Damin Churchman has earned all-region honors from the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference. The Northeast Iowa Community College first baseman was named to the honorable mention list along with teammate Jack Fenwick, a pitcher. Both players are freshmen. After a slow start to the season, Churchman found … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Churchman earns postseason honor after debut season at NICC

‘I was kind of just locked in’: Workhorse Alberhasky leads Wartburg to ARC crown

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During his high school career on the Ankeny Centennial baseball team, Emerson Alberhasky was often overshadowed by fellow 2024 graduate Joey Oakie, who is now pitching in the Cleveland Guardians' organization. Now, Alberhasky has become a star on the mound, too. The sophomore righthander recorded seven strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings to lead Wartburg … [Read more...] about ‘I was kind of just locked in’: Workhorse Alberhasky leads Wartburg to ARC crown

Ex-Jaguar star Miller named freshman athlete of the year at Wayne State College

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Former Ankeny Centennial volleyball star Delaney Miller has been named the freshman athlete of the year at Wayne State College. Miller, an outside hitter, enjoyed a record-setting freshman season last fall. She was earlier selected to the 2025 Division II all-American third team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Miller led Wayne State and … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar star Miller named freshman athlete of the year at Wayne State College

‘UND felt right during the visit’: Ex-Jaguar star Winkel commits to Fighting Hawks

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It didn't take long for Luke Winkel to find a landing spot. The former Ankeny Centennial basketball star has committed to play for North Dakota, a member of the Summit League. The sophomore guard will make the jump to Division I after spending his first two years at Division II St. Cloud State. "I received a lot of interest from a lot of great … [Read more...] about ‘UND felt right during the visit’: Ex-Jaguar star Winkel commits to Fighting Hawks

Ex-Ankeny lefty Winfrey selected Pitcher of the Week in Southland Conference

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After a 2-0 weekend in the circle to secure the conference series over Houston Christian, former Ankeny pitcher Kendra Winfrey of the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team took home Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week honors, the league office announced on Monday. Winfrey was pivotal in the Islanders' series at HCU, tossing a complete game to … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny lefty Winfrey selected Pitcher of the Week in Southland Conference

Rathjen’s run at NCAA Championships comes to end short of blood round

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Caleb Rathjen's run at the NCAA Division I Championships came to an end on Friday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, one match shy of reaching the crucial blood round. The former Ankeny wrestling star dropped a 10-1 major decision to 21st-seeded Gabe Willochel of Wyoming in a third-round consolation match at 149 pounds. Rathjen, a Northern Iowa senior who was … [Read more...] about Rathjen’s run at NCAA Championships comes to end short of blood round

‘I have officially entered into the transfer portal’: Winkel likely headed to Division I

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball star Luke Winkel is looking for a new home. The St. Cloud State sophomore guard announced his departure via social media on Thursday. "I have officially entered into the transfer portal," Winkel tweeted on X. Winkel led St. Cloud State to an historic season. The 25th-ranked Huskies won the regular-season title in … [Read more...] about ‘I have officially entered into the transfer portal’: Winkel likely headed to Division I

UNI’s Rathjen advances to 2nd round of NCAA Championships before falling in OT

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All five of Northern Iowa's wrestlers stayed alive on the first day of the NCAA Division I Championships on Thursday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, including former Ankeny star Caleb Rathjen at 149 pounds. The 14th-seeded Rathjen opened the tournament with a 3-1 victory over No. 19 Brock Herman of Little Rock. He then dropped an 8-5 decision to No. 3 Cross … [Read more...] about UNI’s Rathjen advances to 2nd round of NCAA Championships before falling in OT