After playing for three different schools in a five-year collegiate career, Kenna Sauer thought she was ready to play professional volleyball. But she never expected to get traded. Originally drafted by the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Rise of the fledgling Pro Volleyball Federation, Sauer was then traded to the Las Vegas franchise in February and has since … [Read more...] about Former Centennial star Sauer adjusts to life in Pro Volleyball Federation
Top Sports Stories
Toni Dickey Memorial Golf Tournament slated for May 4 at Otter Creek
The Toni Dickey Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on May 4 at Otter Creek. This is a four-person best shot tournament. Cost is $400 per team. Registration deadline is April 15. Also, hole sponsorships are available for $150. For more information, check out the Toni Dickey Memorial Golf Tournament page on Facebook. Donations are greatly … [Read more...] about Toni Dickey Memorial Golf Tournament slated for May 4 at Otter Creek
Ex-Centennial QB Gibson enters transfer portal, will leave Tennessee Tech
Hayes Gibson is looking for a new home. The former Ankeny Centennial quarterback announced this week on social media that he will be transferring. "I have entered my name into the transfer portal as a graduate transfer," Gibson tweeted on X Wednesday. "Thank you Tennessee Tech!" Gibson played in four games last season at Tennessee Tech, an NCAA … [Read more...] about Ex-Centennial QB Gibson enters transfer portal, will leave Tennessee Tech
‘I’m looking to play my game and be myself’: Bayless enters transfer portal
Former Ankeny basketball star Braxton Bayless has entered the transfer portal. Bayless, a 6-foot-2 guard, appeared in 29 games for Niagara this season, averaging 11.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists. The grad transfer will have one season of eligibility remaining. Bayless helped the Purple Eagles to a 16-16 record. He started only one game, but … [Read more...] about ‘I’m looking to play my game and be myself’: Bayless enters transfer portal
Cold-shooting Grand View drops 72-53 decision in first round of NAIA tourney
A rough shooting night resulted in a season-ending loss for Cleao Murray and the Grand View women's basketball team. The fifth-seeded Vikings shot just 27.5 percent from the field (19-of-69) and dropped a 72-53 decision to No. 12 seed Indiana South Bend in the opening round of the NAIA Championship on Friday at Madison, S.D. Indiana South Bend (31-1) … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Grand View drops 72-53 decision in first round of NAIA tourney
Niagara falls to Marist in MAAC quarters, but ex-Hawk Bayless plans to return
The season ended on Thursday for Braxton Bayless and the Niagara men's basketball team. However, Bayless' college career isn't over. The senior guard scored eight points and dished out four assists in the Purple Eagles' 65-59 loss to Marist in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC Championship at Jim Whalen Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. "I do … [Read more...] about Niagara falls to Marist in MAAC quarters, but ex-Hawk Bayless plans to return
Runchey scores 12 points, but Wartburg falls to Smith College in OT at Final 4
The final game of Taylor Runchey's college basketball career resulted in some bittersweet feelings. The former Ankeny Centennial standout scored a season-high 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, but the Wartburg College women's team dropped a 61-54 decision to Smith College in overtime in the NCAA Division III Final Four on Thursday at Bexley, Ohio. The … [Read more...] about Runchey scores 12 points, but Wartburg falls to Smith College in OT at Final 4
Murray leads Grand View to conference tourney title, into NAIA Championship
Cleao Murray has led the Grand View women's basketball team to unprecedented heights. The former Ankeny Centennial star scored 19 points to help the Vikings to a 65-62 victory over visiting Benedictine (Kan.) in the championship game of the Heart of America Conference Tournament on Tuesday at Sisam Arena. She went 8-of-19 from the field, including 2-of-6 … [Read more...] about Murray leads Grand View to conference tourney title, into NAIA Championship
Wartburg women’s squad reaches Div. III Final 4 for 3rd time in program history
Taylor Runchey's final collegiate basketball season will conclude at the NCAA Division III Final Four. The former Ankeny Centennial standout helped the Wartburg College women's team to a 68-58 victory over Washington and Lee University in the Elite 8 on Saturday at Providence, R.I. She had three rebounds, an assist and a block in 29 minutes of … [Read more...] about Wartburg women’s squad reaches Div. III Final 4 for 3rd time in program history
Runchey, Wartburg advance to Elite 8 with last-second win over Bates College
Taylor Runchey and the Wartburg College women's basketball team have reached the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament. Runchey, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, helped the Knights to a 54-53 victory over Bates College in the Sweet 16 round of the Division III tournament on Friday at Providence, R.I. She had two points, five rebounds and four assists in the … [Read more...] about Runchey, Wartburg advance to Elite 8 with last-second win over Bates College
Ex-Jaguar Porter enters transfer portal after freshman season at William Jewell
Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Averi Porter is looking for a new home. Porter, a freshman guard for the William Jewell women's team, announced Wednesday on social media that she has entered the transfer portal. "I’d like to thank my teammates for an amazing first year at William Jewell," she tweeted on X. "I will always be grateful for … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Porter enters transfer portal after freshman season at William Jewell
‘It’s a way of life’: Bakker excited to take on new role as Ankeny Activities Director
Mike Bakker has officially been named the Activities Director at Ankeny High School. Bakker, who previously served as the Activities Director at Southview Middle School, has been filling the role on an interim basis since last month, when Adam McDonnell left for a new position in Cedar Rapids. "I'm really excited about maybe providing some stability to … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a way of life’: Bakker excited to take on new role as Ankeny Activities Director
Ex-Jaguar Burns scores career-high 20 points in UNK’s OT win against Washburn
Former Ankeny Centennial standout Meg Burns has helped the Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team to a 14-5 record this season. Burns, a redshirt junior wing, scored a career-high 20 points on Saturday as the Lopers outlasted Washburn, 75-74, in overtime at the Health & Sports Center. She went 8-of-17 from the field, including 2-of-7 from 3-point … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Burns scores career-high 20 points in UNK’s OT win against Washburn
‘Mankato just wasn’t the best fit for me’: Ex-Hawk Pelham headed to SDSU
Former Ankeny kicker Max Pelham is joining the two-time defending national champions. After two years as the starting punter at Minnesota State-Mankato, Pelham has decided to transfer to South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits defeated Montana, 23-3, on Jan. 7 to earn their second consecutive Football Championship Subdivision national title. "I actually … [Read more...] about ‘Mankato just wasn’t the best fit for me’: Ex-Hawk Pelham headed to SDSU
Ex-Ankeny star Bayless lifts Niagara past Iona with buzzer-beating 3-pointer
Braxton Bayless is still Mr. Clutch. The former Ankeny star drained a game-winning 3-point goal with less than a second left on the clock to give Niagara a 75-73 victory at Iona in a MAAC men's basketball game on Sunday. "The shot felt real good leaving my hands. I knew it was good," said Bayless. "I was in a comfortable spot on the move." Bayless … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny star Bayless lifts Niagara past Iona with buzzer-beating 3-pointer
‘She’s baaaack’: Ex-Jaguar star Robinson to play 5th collegiate season for Badgers
With a simple tweet, Devyn Robinson announced some breaking news. "Tell a friend to tell a friend...she's baaaack. #5thyear," she tweeted on Dec. 22. The former Ankeny Centennial volleyball star has elected to play a fifth collegiate season at Wisconsin, where she helped the Badgers to a national championship in 2021. Robinson, a 6-foot-2 right-side … [Read more...] about ‘She’s baaaack’: Ex-Jaguar star Robinson to play 5th collegiate season for Badgers
‘TREVER IS A BAD DUDE’: UNI’s Anderson knocks off top-ranked Camacho
Former Ankeny wrestling standout Trever Anderson posted the biggest victory of his collegiate career on Tuesday during the 2023 edition of the Journeymen Collegiate Duals at the Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tenn. Anderson, a redshirt freshman at Northern Iowa who is the No. 32/31 wrestler in the nation at 125 pounds, stunned North Carolina … [Read more...] about ‘TREVER IS A BAD DUDE’: UNI’s Anderson knocks off top-ranked Camacho
‘It’s been a good switch for me’: Murray returns home, helps Vikings to 11-1 start
The transition to the NAIA level is going smoothly for former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Cleao Murray. After spending one year at Missouri Western, Murray returned home and has helped the Grand View women's team to an 11-1 start this season, including an 8-1 record in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The 5-foot-8 sophomore guard scored … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been a good switch for me’: Murray returns home, helps Vikings to 11-1 start
‘Excited to get to work’: Ex-Ankeny star Bauer finds new home at Sam Houston
Jase Bauer has found a new home. The former Ankeny quarterback announced on social media Saturday that he is transferring to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. The Bearkats are members of Conference USA in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). "New Chapter. Excited to get to work. #EatEmUpKats," Bauer tweeted on … [Read more...] about ‘Excited to get to work’: Ex-Ankeny star Bauer finds new home at Sam Houston
Houston’s Sauer, Wisconsin’s Robinson earn all-American honors from AVCA
Former Ankeny Centennial teammates Kenna Sauer and Devyn Robinson have received all-American honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Sauer, who made the most of her grad transfer season at Houston, has been named to the third team. In addition to earning all-American honors for the first time—and being the school’s first all-American … [Read more...] about Houston’s Sauer, Wisconsin’s Robinson earn all-American honors from AVCA