There's a national champion walking the hallways of Ankeny Centennial High School. Earlier this month, Centennial senior Benjamin Horner captured the gold medal in the 2023 USA Racquetball Championships. The national tournament was held March 1-5 in Portland, Ore. A total of 232 players representing a couple dozen high schools across the country … [Read more...] about Centennial senior earns gold medal at High School Racquetball Championships
Top Sports Stories
From Wenatchee to Flint: Ankeny native describes his TBL journey in pro hoops
Joel Roberts admits that he wasn't much of a shooter on his high school basketball team. Now, the former Ankeny player is being paid to play professionally. The 6-foot-9, 255-pound Roberts is in his first season in The Basketball League, which began operating in 2018 with eight teams and has now expanded to more than 40 franchises across the U.S. He is … [Read more...] about From Wenatchee to Flint: Ankeny native describes his TBL journey in pro hoops
After strong season, NIACC soph Pippett named to NJCAA Region XI second team
Former Ankeny Centennial standout Jackie Pippett has been named to the NJCAA Region XI second team after helping the North Iowa Area Community College women's basketball team to a 19-12 record. Pippett, a 6-foot sophomore post player, averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and a team-high 1.1 blocks per game. She started all 31 games for the … [Read more...] about After strong season, NIACC soph Pippett named to NJCAA Region XI second team
Headed to H-Town: Sauer will play her final volleyball season for Cougars
Kenna Sauer is moving from one part of Texas to another. The Texas Tech volleyball star has decided to transfer to the University of Houston for her final collegiate season. The former Ankeny Centennial standout, who played the last two years in Lubbock after transferring from Missouri, is the third transfer to join the Cougars in recent weeks. Sauer, … [Read more...] about Headed to H-Town: Sauer will play her final volleyball season for Cougars
Ex-Jaguar Wycoff closes out her MACU career by earning all-region honors
Although her college basketball career is now over, the impact that former Ankeny Centennial standout Sydney Wycoff had on the Mid-America Christian University women's squad will last a long time. Wycoff, a graduate student, has been named to the all-Central Region second team by the National Christian College Athletic Association. She helped the Evangels … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Wycoff closes out her MACU career by earning all-region honors
Ex-Jaguar Runchey, ex-Comet Murphy help Wartburg reach NCAA’s Sweet 16
Taylor Runchey, Jaedon Murphy and the 24th-ranked Wartburg College women's basketball team reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament before dropping a 60-51 decision to No. 1 Christopher Newport on Friday at Medford, Mass. Runchey, a junior guard and former Ankeny Centennial standout, had four rebounds and three assists in the loss. Murphy, a … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Runchey, ex-Comet Murphy help Wartburg reach NCAA’s Sweet 16
Burns helps Nebraska Kearney to 28-win season, NCAA Tournament appearance
The season ended on Friday for former Ankeny Centennial star Meg Burns and the Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team. The Lopers suffered a 74-54 loss to Pittsburg State in an NCAA Tournament first-round game in Duluth, Minn. The contest was part of the Central Regional. Burns had two points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal for Nebraska … [Read more...] about Burns helps Nebraska Kearney to 28-win season, NCAA Tournament appearance
Simpson’s Dunwoody named ARC Pitcher of the Week after tossing gem
Simpson College freshman Easton Dunwoody has been named the American Rivers Conference Pitcher of the Week after earning his first collegiate victory on the mound. Dunwoody, a former Ankeny standout, made his second career start in Saturday's second game, helping the Storm to a 4-1 win over St. Olaf. It was the team's first triumph of the … [Read more...] about Simpson’s Dunwoody named ARC Pitcher of the Week after tossing gem
Unhittable Brecht named DI Baseball Pitcher of the Week, earns B1G honor too
If former Ankeny pitcher Brody Brecht continues to throw like he did on Saturday, he may have to reconsider his dual sport career at the University of Iowa. The sophomore righthander was named the DI Baseball Pitcher of the Week, it was announced on Monday. Then, on Tuesday, he was tabbed the Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Week along with Dominic Pianto … [Read more...] about Unhittable Brecht named DI Baseball Pitcher of the Week, earns B1G honor too
Northwestern College’s Carlson named GPAC player of the week for 2nd time
Former Ankeny standout Dillon Carlson has been named the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) men's basketball player of the week after leading Northwestern College to a pair of victories. Carlson, a senior guard, hit career-highs in back-to-back games. His 29 points at Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday helped Northwestern to its first win at the Corn … [Read more...] about Northwestern College’s Carlson named GPAC player of the week for 2nd time
Griffith named offensive coordinator, offensive line coach at Simpson College
Former Ankeny football standout Quincy Griffith is returning to central Iowa. Griffith has been named the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Simpson College. He spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Wayne State (Neb.). "The chance to run the offense and call plays was certainly a big (reason for the move)," Griffith said. … [Read more...] about Griffith named offensive coordinator, offensive line coach at Simpson College
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)
For several months, Ankeny Fanatic has been contacting the members of its all-time Ankeny football team to get a reaction from some of the players, as well as stories and favorite memories from their high school careers. One former Ankeny standout responded with a poem that he wrote. Ross Naylor entitled it, "Pezzetti's Proposal", in honor of his … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)
‘Mama I’m a Cowboy’: Ex-Ankeny star, former Iowa wideout Bruce lands at OSU
Former Iowa wide receiver Arland Bruce IV has landed in Stillwater. Bruce announced via Twitter on Saturday that he will transfer to Oklahoma State. "Mama I'm a Cowboy #gopokes," he tweeted. Bruce, who helped lead Ankeny to the Class 4A state championship in 2020, spent two seasons at Iowa. He caught 19 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown as a … [Read more...] about ‘Mama I’m a Cowboy’: Ex-Ankeny star, former Iowa wideout Bruce lands at OSU
Johnson’s game-winner with 1.4 seconds left allows Central to edge Buena Vista
Abby Johnson left the Northern State women's basketball team after her freshman season. The former Ankeny standout appears to be fitting in nicely with her new squad. Johnson, a sophomore guard, made a game-winning layup with 1.4 seconds left to give Central College a 60-58 victory over visiting Buena Vista on Wednesday. The Dutch earned their first … [Read more...] about Johnson’s game-winner with 1.4 seconds left allows Central to edge Buena Vista
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)
For the last 54 years, a lot of young boys have grown up in Ankeny wanting to play football for coach Jerry Pezzetti. Some of those players wanted to follow in the footsteps of their fathers who played for Pezzetti. That was the case for Drew Carlson, a standout linebacker on Ankeny's 2012 state championship team. His father, Luke, starred for Pezzetti … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)
When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in March of 2020, Ankeny Fanatic took advantage of the unexpected break from high school sports to publish the first of its many all-time Ankeny teams, recognizing the best boys' basketball players in the community's history. This has since turned into a three-year project. Ankeny Fanatic has now published its … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)
‘Back in the 515’: Former Ankeny receiver Kumm to continue career at Grand View
After a brief stop in Iowa City, former Ankeny receiver Jordan Kumm is looking to finish his college football career in Des Moines. Kumm announced on Twitter Saturday that he will transfer to Grand View and play for the Vikings. "I'm blessed to announce that I will be back in the 515 to continue my academic and athletic career at Grand View … [Read more...] about ‘Back in the 515’: Former Ankeny receiver Kumm to continue career at Grand View
‘It was impossible to turn down’: Ex-Jag Gibson to finish career at Tennessee Tech
Former Ankeny Centennial quarterback Hayes Gibson is headed to Tennessee Tech. After spending one season at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, Gibson has verbally committed to play for the Golden Eagles, who compete in the FCS and are members of the Ohio Valley Conference. "When I arrived on campus for my visit at Tennessee Tech, I was a bit skeptical … [Read more...] about ‘It was impossible to turn down’: Ex-Jag Gibson to finish career at Tennessee Tech
NIACC’s Pippett named ICCAC player of the week for 2nd time in her career
Jackie Pippett enjoyed some memorable moments during her high school basketball career at Ankeny Centennial. She's had quite a few at the collegiate level, too. For the second time in her career, Pippett has been named the ICCAC women's basketball player of the week. A sophomore post player at North Iowa Area Community College, she earned the weekly … [Read more...] about NIACC’s Pippett named ICCAC player of the week for 2nd time in her career
Wisconsin standout Robinson earns AVCA all-American honors for 2nd time
Former Ankeny Centennial volleyball star Devyn Robinson is now a two-time all-American. Robinson, a redshirt junior at Wisconsin, has been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) third team. She was joined on the squad by a pair of teammates, Sarah Franklin and Danielle Hart. The 6-foot-3 right-side hitter also earned third-team … [Read more...] about Wisconsin standout Robinson earns AVCA all-American honors for 2nd time