Ankeny Centennial is the new No. 1 team in Class 4A in the latest rankings from the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. The Jaguars are off to a 10-0 start, including a 5-0 mark in the CIML Conference. They posted a 6-1 victory at then-No. 1 Dowling Catholic in a 1 vs. 2 matchup on Tuesday. Centennial has excelled in all facets of the game … [Read more...] about Jaguars take over No. 1 spot in latest 4A rankings from Coaches Association
News
Historical Society’s ‘Night at the Museum’ to feature Ankeny native Stock
The Ankeny Area Historical Society will host a "Night at the Museum" on June 14. The doors will open at 6 p.m. at both the house and the barn, which are located at 301 SW 3rd St. in Ankeny. Ankeny native Kent Stock will be the featured speaker. A meet and greet with Kent will be held from 6-7:15 p.m., and then Kent will talk about his remarkable life at … [Read more...] about Historical Society’s ‘Night at the Museum’ to feature Ankeny native Stock
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cassie Johnson, Ankeny softball
Junior catcher and outfielder Cassie Johnson has helped lead the Ankeny softball team to a 9-2 record and a No. 6 ranking in Class 5A. She is batting .559 with 19 RBIs and ranks third among the state's leaders with six home runs. On Friday, Johnson had a pair of walk-off hits in the eighth inning as the Hawkettes swept a doubleheader against visiting … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cassie Johnson, Ankeny softball
‘It felt like a special place’: Johnson blasts two walk-off hits; Ankeny sweeps Rams
Perhaps Dick Rasmussen was smiling from above at the end of Friday's doubleheader that was played on the softball field named after him. Sixth-ranked Ankeny got a pair of walk-off hits from Cassie Johnson to beat No. 3 Southeast Polk, 6-5 and 8-7, in a CIML Conference twinbill. Both game-winning hits came in the bottom of the eighth inning. Johnson was … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like a special place’: Johnson blasts two walk-off hits; Ankeny sweeps Rams
Morris slugs 3 home runs, leads Jaguars to victories over Central Springs, Creston
Sydney Morris and her Ankeny Centennial softball teammates are hitting the ball with a lot more power this season. Morris blasted three home runs, Mackenzie James had a pair, and Jordyn Kennedy added another blast as the seventh-ranked Jaguars defeated two ranked opponents at the Centennial Invitational on Friday. Coach Brett Delaney's squad has already … [Read more...] about Morris slugs 3 home runs, leads Jaguars to victories over Central Springs, Creston
Duax, Heckenlaible earn all-tournament honors for 2nd straight year
Ankeny Centennial standouts Ty Duax and Andrew Heckenlaible have been named to the all-tournament team at the boys' state soccer tournament for the second straight year. The junior duo was selected to the Class 4A squad following Saturday's championship game at Cownie Park. They were named to the 3A team a year ago. Duax and Heckenlaible helped … [Read more...] about Duax, Heckenlaible earn all-tournament honors for 2nd straight year
Hawks complete sweep of No. 6 S.E. Polk with walk-off win in bottom of 11th inning
Evan Irlmeier raced home with the winning run on an error in the bottom of the 11th inning, and the Ankeny baseball team completed a sweep of Friday's doubleheader against sixth-ranked Southeast Polk with a 4-3 victory. The host Hawks overcame an early 4-0 deficit to win the opener, 10-4. They improved to 3-2 in the CIML Conference and 7-6 overall, while … [Read more...] about Hawks complete sweep of No. 6 S.E. Polk with walk-off win in bottom of 11th inning
A FOGGY FINISH: Jaguars’ championship dreams end with 3-1 loss to Johnston
A magical postseason run for the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team came to an end on a foggy night at Cownie Park. The 10th-ranked Jaguars held a 1-0 halftime lead before No. 2 Johnston rallied for a 3-1 victory in the Class 4A semifinals on Thursday at the state tournament. The Dragons (17-3) spoiled Centennial's bid to pull off a third consecutive … [Read more...] about A FOGGY FINISH: Jaguars’ championship dreams end with 3-1 loss to Johnston
Hawkettes split twinbill with Johnston, move up to No. 6 in latest 5A rankings
After resuming Tuesday's suspended doubleheader against visiting Johnston, the Ankeny softball team settled for a split of the twinbill on Wednesday. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes held on for a 7-5 victory in the opener before No. 8 Johnston salvaged a split with a 5-3 win in the nightcap. Ankeny pitcher Abby Rusher went 2-for-3 and got the decision in both … [Read more...] about Hawkettes split twinbill with Johnston, move up to No. 6 in latest 5A rankings
No. 2 Hawkettes close out injury-riddled season with 1-0 loss to Dowling Catholic
All season long, the Ankeny girls' soccer team overcame a rash of injuries to again boast one of the state's best defensive units, eventually earning a sixth consecutive trip to the state tournament. On Wednesday at Cownie Park, the injury bug hit the Hawkettes one more time. Second-ranked Ankeny lost starting defender Elizabeth Proctor to a likely … [Read more...] about No. 2 Hawkettes close out injury-riddled season with 1-0 loss to Dowling Catholic
‘It just didn’t go our way’: Defending state champs bow out with 2-0 loss to NW
The Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players wore state tournament t-shirts with the motto "Leave it on the field" printed on the back of them. That's exactly what the eighth-ranked Jaguars did on Wednesday at Cownie Park. Defending champion Centennial closed out its season with a 2-0 loss to No. 1 Waukee Northwest in a Class 3A quarterfinal at the … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t go our way’: Defending state champs bow out with 2-0 loss to NW
‘Disrespected’ Centennial boys knock off No. 1 Valley to continue revenge tour
The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team had plenty of motivation heading into Wednesday's Class 4A quarterfinal against top-ranked Valley. On Tuesday, the Tigers provided some additional bulletin board material. When the game was rescheduled for Wednesday after being postponed due to rain 24 hours earlier, Centennial coach Brian Duax said he learned … [Read more...] about ‘Disrespected’ Centennial boys knock off No. 1 Valley to continue revenge tour
Hawks use 6-run 1st inning to defeat Ankeny Christian Academy, 11-1
The Ankeny baseball team scored six runs in the first inning and went on to beat visiting Ankeny Christian Academy, 11-1, in six innings in a non-conference game on Wednesday. The Hawks pounded out 10 hits in the first three innings off ACA ace Eli Christensen. Only four of the eight runs that he allowed were earned. "I was impressed with his tempo, … [Read more...] about Hawks use 6-run 1st inning to defeat Ankeny Christian Academy, 11-1
A PERFECT 10: Jaguars stay unbeaten as Pratt hurls gem in 3-0 victory at Valley
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team finished the month of May with a perfect 10. The second-ranked Jaguars raised their overall record to 10-0 with a 3-0 victory at Valley on Wednesday. They improved to 5-0 in the CIML Conference, while Valley's marks dropped to 1-4 and 6-6. Easton Pratt tossed a one-hitter and had six strikeouts as Centennial posted … [Read more...] about A PERFECT 10: Jaguars stay unbeaten as Pratt hurls gem in 3-0 victory at Valley
Ankeny girls fall to Dowling, while Jags tumble to Waukee NW in 3A quarters
The season came to an end on Wednesday afternoon for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer teams at Cownie Park. The second-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 1-0 decision to No. 7 Dowling Catholic in a Class 3A quarterfinal at the state tournament. The Maroons (11-6) avenged an earlier 2-0 loss to Ankeny (12-4-1). Lauren McCoy scored the … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls fall to Dowling, while Jags tumble to Waukee NW in 3A quarters
‘We felt like we were the better team’: Oakie, Jaguars dominate No. 1 Dowling
After recording another strikeout to end the fifth inning, Ankeny Centennial pitcher Joey Oakie pumped his fist and screamed with joy. Oakie went on to toss a one-hitter and had 14 strikeouts as the second-ranked Jaguars posted a 6-1 victory at No. 1 Dowling Catholic in the first game of a CIML Conference doubleheader on Tuesday. The contest was shortened … [Read more...] about ‘We felt like we were the better team’: Oakie, Jaguars dominate No. 1 Dowling
‘Our bats have been good lately’: James, Jaguars romp to 10-0 win at Dowling
Senior outfielder Mackenzie James has played on some outstanding softball teams at Ankeny Centennial, including one that placed third in the Class 5A state tournament in 2020 and another that earned runner-up honors the following season. This year's team might be as talented as either of those squads. James went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs to lead … [Read more...] about ‘Our bats have been good lately’: James, Jaguars romp to 10-0 win at Dowling
Without injured star, Centennial girls earn fourth-place finish in Class 2A tourney
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team ran into some bad luck on Tuesday before the start of the Class 2A state team tournament semifinals at Johnston. The Jaguars lost their No. 1 player, Abbie Peterson, to an ankle injury. "I just woke up (Monday) and went to practice and then after that it started really hurting," said Peterson, who placed second … [Read more...] about Without injured star, Centennial girls earn fourth-place finish in Class 2A tourney
After falling to North Polk, Ankeny routs Wildcats in 5 innings at Heggen Classic
The Ankeny baseball team rebounded from a 4-1 loss to North Polk with an 11-1 victory over Davenport North in five innings in the Tim Heggen Classic on Saturday at Ankeny. The Hawks pounded out eight hits in the win over Davenport North (2-5). They scored four runs in the first inning, two in the second, one in the third, one in the fourth and three more … [Read more...] about After falling to North Polk, Ankeny routs Wildcats in 5 innings at Heggen Classic
No. 2 Jaguars rally past Independence, Davenport North to remain unbeaten
For the first time this season, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team had to rally from behind in order to remain unbeaten. The second-ranked Jaguars overcame early deficits to defeat both Independence and Davenport North in the Tim Heggen Classic on Saturday at Ankeny. They raised their record to 8-0. "It was a long week," said Centennial coach Mark … [Read more...] about No. 2 Jaguars rally past Independence, Davenport North to remain unbeaten