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‘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

‘There’s a lot to be encouraged by’: Jags show promise in 7-4 loss at Norwalk

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team is already showing signs of improvement. After dropping a 9-2 decision to Norwalk a year ago, the Jaguars traveled to Norwalk on Tuesday for a rematch to open the 2026 season. The Warriors again prevailed, but their 7-4 victory in the non-conference meet was much closer than last year's matchup. "Norwalk is a … [Read more...] about ‘There’s a lot to be encouraged by’: Jags show promise in 7-4 loss at Norwalk

Weichers, Perez each win twice as Hawks open season with 6-5 victory over Ballard

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For much of the 2025 season, the Ankeny boys' tennis team struggled against its opponents during doubles play. That wasn't the case on Tuesday in the Hawks' season opener. After splitting the six singles matches against visiting Ballard (Huxley), Ankeny won three of the five doubles matches to post a 6-5 victory in the non-conference meet. "Our … [Read more...] about Weichers, Perez each win twice as Hawks open season with 6-5 victory over Ballard

Jaguars win 8 events, place 2nd overall at S.E. Polk Invitational behind host Rams

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team closed out Tuesday's Southeast Polk Invitational with its eighth victory of the night. The Jaguars won the 4x400 relay with a time of 3:59.41, allowing them to meet the Drake Relays Blue Oval standard. The team consisted of Aly Balashaitis, Rebecca Flick, Teagan Jackson and Ava Barten. "This group came into the … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 8 events, place 2nd overall at S.E. Polk Invitational behind host Rams

After committing to Wartburg, North takes on new role as boys’ assistant coach

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Ankeny senior Olivia North wants to keep playing tennis as long as she can. And perhaps in the future, she'll stay involved with the sport by becoming a coach. North, who has committed to play tennis at Wartburg College in the fall, is serving as an assistant for Ankeny boys' coach Ron Miller this spring. The Hawks opened their season on Tuesday with a … [Read more...] about After committing to Wartburg, North takes on new role as boys’ assistant coach

‘We just want to keep getting better’: Ankeny golfers return 3 varsity regulars

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There will be some new faces in the lineup for the Ankeny girls' golf team when the Hawkettes open their season on Monday by competing in the Waukee Northwest Invitational at The Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk. Only three varsity regulars are back from last year's squad that posted a 1-7 dual record in the CIML Conference. "We just want to keep getting … [Read more...] about ‘We just want to keep getting better’: Ankeny golfers return 3 varsity regulars

Jaguars are No. 3, Hawkettes No. 5 in preseason Class 3A girls’ soccer rankings

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The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union has announced its preseason soccer rankings, and it's no surprise that the CIML Conference once again dominates the top of the Class 3A list. Defending state champion Waukee Northwest begins the season where it left off last year--in the No. 1 spot. The Wolves are one of six CIML schools ranked among the top … [Read more...] about Jaguars are No. 3, Hawkettes No. 5 in preseason Class 3A girls’ soccer rankings

‘Our primary goal is growth’: Jaguars looking to elevate program to higher level

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team suffered through some growing pains last year in its first season under coach Grant Menadue. The inexperienced Jaguars struggled to a 1-11 record, including a 0-8 mark in the CIML Conference. They posted a 5-0 win over Des Moines North in a Class 2A substate quarterfinal for their only victory before ending the … [Read more...] about ‘Our primary goal is growth’: Jaguars looking to elevate program to higher level

Jaguars win 4×400 relay to edge Cedar Falls for team crown at Sherwood Relays

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A victory in the final event allowed the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team to win the Sherwood Relays crown on Saturday at Iowa City High. The Jaguars took first in the 4x400 relay to edge defending champion Cedar Falls for the team title. The foursome of Aly Balashaitis, Bella Buesch, Aubrey Mohr and Teagan Jackson posted a time of 4:08.07. Cedar … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4×400 relay to edge Cedar Falls for team crown at Sherwood Relays

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Allison Hawkins, Ankeny girls’ soccer

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Senior forward/midfielder Allison Hawkins is one of 13 returning varsity regulars for the Ankeny girls' soccer team. She had one assist as a junior while helping the Hawkettes to an 11-3-3 record and an appearance in the Class 3A state tournament. Hawkins is coming off a successful season on the basketball court, where she helped  Ankeny to a 16-9 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Allison Hawkins, Ankeny girls’ soccer

Fisher breaks school record in 200, leads Hawkettes to team title at Emporia Relays

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A long road trip to Kansas showed what the Ankeny girls' track team might be capable of accomplishing this season. The Hawkettes won seven events and easily captured the team crown on Saturday at the Emporia State Relays. They racked up 157 points against 11 other squads, 41 more than runner-up Andover (Kan.). "We were happy with many performances as … [Read more...] about Fisher breaks school record in 200, leads Hawkettes to team title at Emporia Relays

‘The last hurrah is bittersweet’: Duax will coach all-state son for one last season

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax isn't looking forward to the end of the 2026 season. He just hopes it lasts as long as it can. Duax will be coaching his son, Tate, for one final season. Tate, a senior forward, is headed to Boston in the fall to play for Northeastern University. "The last hurrah is bittersweet," said coach Duax. "The … [Read more...] about ‘The last hurrah is bittersweet’: Duax will coach all-state son for one last season

‘We saw some really nice races’: Hawks, Jaguars compete at Early Bird Relays

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams turned in some strong performances in the Early Bird Relays on Thursday at Waukee Northwest. Six squads competed in the meet, which was unscored. "We saw some really nice races," said Ankeny coach Jordan Mullen. "We had a lot of early season PRs, which is really exciting. I believe as a team … [Read more...] about ‘We saw some really nice races’: Hawks, Jaguars compete at Early Bird Relays

‘Our whole team showed toughness’: Jags overcome cold weather to win 2 events

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Earlier in the week, the forecast called for temperatures in the 70s on Thursday afternoon. But those weren't the conditions that greeted the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team when the Jaguars arrived at Johnston for the Dragon Invitational. "The weather wasn’t ideal with high winds and dropping temperatures," said Centennial coach Tyler Asbe. "Our … [Read more...] about ‘Our whole team showed toughness’: Jags overcome cold weather to win 2 events

‘I believe this group can have success’: Ankeny boys looking to reload, not rebuild

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The Ankeny boys' soccer team enjoyed an historic season in 2025. The Hawks posted a 12-6-2 record and advanced to the semifinals of the state tournament for the first time since 2018. Duplicating that success, though, will be a challenging task. Ankeny graduated the majority of its starting lineup, including a trio of all-staters in forward Landon … [Read more...] about ‘I believe this group can have success’: Ankeny boys looking to reload, not rebuild

‘We will need to be resilient’: Jaguars gear up for another tough road of CIML foes

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It won't be easy for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to replace the leadership from players like Maddison Balashaitis, Olivia Kroska and Ava Martin on last year's squad. Those three standouts all graduated after leading the Jaguars to a 15-4-2 record and a trip to the Class 3A semifinals in 2025. They are now playing at the collegiate … [Read more...] about ‘We will need to be resilient’: Jaguars gear up for another tough road of CIML foes

‘We have a very connected group’: Ankeny girls begin new era under coach Mason

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It will take a team effort for the Ankeny girls' soccer squad to replace one of the best players in school history. Midfielder Alli Macke graduated last year after leading the Hawkettes to an 11-3-3 record and an appearance in the Class 3A state tournament. She scored a team-high 16 goals and also had five assists. Macke was a repeat selection to the … [Read more...] about ‘We have a very connected group’: Ankeny girls begin new era under coach Mason

‘They are ready for the challenge!’: 2-time champion Hawks return 5 state qualifiers

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The bar has been raised by the Ankeny boys' track program over the last few seasons. After placing second in the Class 4A state meet in 2023, the Hawks won back-to-back titles in 2024-25 under coach Jordan Mullen.  "We have a lot of momentum and excitement going into this year!" said Mullen. "We are going to heavily focus on our team. As … [Read more...] about ‘They are ready for the challenge!’: 2-time champion Hawks return 5 state qualifiers