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‘Everyone on the team stepped up’: Jaguars romp past Waukee in opener

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team opened its season on Thursday with an 11-0 victory over visiting Waukee in a CIML Conference dual meet. The contest was played under sunny skies with temperatures in the 50s. "We had a great start with an 11-0 win," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "Everyone on the team stepped up to the plate and got a … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone on the team stepped up’: Jaguars romp past Waukee in opener

‘It’s such a huge part of my life’: Anderson decides to wrestle, commits to Mavericks

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Jace Anderson has rediscovered his love for the sport of wrestling. The Ankeny senior has committed to wrestle for Minnesota State-Mankato, an NCAA Division II program. "I think the toughest part of the decision was deciding to wrestle in college," said Anderson, a four-time state qualifier and a three-time placewinner. "After state, I was devastated … [Read more...] about ‘It’s such a huge part of my life’: Anderson decides to wrestle, commits to Mavericks

‘The coaches really made me feel wanted’: Wehde to play for Central

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Ankeny senior Karson Wehde is hoping to get back on the basketball court later this month. At least now he knows where he'll be playing next season. Wehde has verbally committed to play for Central College. He announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday. "I am blessed to announce my commitment to further my academic and basketball career at … [Read more...] about ‘The coaches really made me feel wanted’: Wehde to play for Central

Drefke, Wilson earn individual honors, but Jaguars fall to Dowling by 1 stroke

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' golfers were unhappy with their scores following Monday's season opener. Coach John Petersen, though, wasn't disappointed with his team's performance. The Jaguars dropped a 188-189 decision to visiting Dowling Catholic in a CIML Conference dual meet at Briarwood Golf Club. "The first meet of 2023 is under our belts," … [Read more...] about Drefke, Wilson earn individual honors, but Jaguars fall to Dowling by 1 stroke

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cady Compton, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer

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Senior forward/midfielder Cady Compton has scored a team-high six goals while helping the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to a 3-0 start this season. She had a hat trick in the Jaguars' 10-0 win over Carlisle in the season opener on Tuesday, then had two goals on Friday in a 3-0 victory over Ames and one more on Saturday in a 7-0 triumph over Council … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cady Compton, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer

After losing to Linn-Mar, Hawks’ late rally against C.R. Kennedy falls short

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The windy weather didn't help the Ankeny boys' soccer team on Saturday at Northview Stadium. The Hawks opened the season with a pair of losses to Linn-Mar (Marion) and Cedar Rapids Kennedy, but coach Marcus Varnum refused to blame the unfavorable conditions. "We try to keep the ball on the ground and play a specific style of soccer, but when it's windy … [Read more...] about After losing to Linn-Mar, Hawks’ late rally against C.R. Kennedy falls short

Hawkettes stay perfect with wins over C.B. Lincoln, Ames at Crosstown Invite

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Despite some cold and windy weather, the Ankeny girls' soccer team remained unbeaten with a pair of victories this weekend in the Crosstown Invitational on its home turf. The second-ranked Hawkettes defeated No. 7 Council Bluffs Lincoln, 1-0, on Friday. They then followed with a 2-0 win over Ames on Saturday to raise their record to 3-0. Ankeny has yet … [Read more...] about Hawkettes stay perfect with wins over C.B. Lincoln, Ames at Crosstown Invite

No. 1 Jaguars roll past Ames, C.B. Lincoln for impressive 3-0 start to season

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Saturday's rematch of last year's Class 3A championship game at the girls' state soccer tournament quickly turned into a mismatch. Alanna Pennington scored two goals in the first 2 minutes of the game and top-ranked Ankeny Centennial went on to defeat No. 7 Council Bluffs Lincoln, 7-0, in the Crosstown Invitational at Centennial. The Jaguars improved to … [Read more...] about No. 1 Jaguars roll past Ames, C.B. Lincoln for impressive 3-0 start to season

Talented Ankeny girls focusing more on process goals rather than outcomes

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The ceiling appears to be very high for the Ankeny girls' tennis team. The Hawkettes return several varsity regulars from last year's squad that posted a 14-3 record. They advanced to the Class 2A state team tournament before dropping a 5-0 decision in the opening round to eventual champion Dowling Catholic, which handed Ankeny two of its three … [Read more...] about Talented Ankeny girls focusing more on process goals rather than outcomes

‘We had a great meet’: Pratt, Crawford shine for Jaguars at Johnston Quad

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The addition of Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt to the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team is already paying off for the Jaguars. Pratt won the long jump at the Johnston Quadrangular on Thursday with a leap of 17 feet 3.25 inches. She also combined with Crawford, Kylin Smith and Julia Flick to win the 4x400 relay in a time of 4:05.75, which met the Blue … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great meet’: Pratt, Crawford shine for Jaguars at Johnston Quad

‘Be a goldfish’: Ankeny golfers look to have fun, improve a little bit each day

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Last spring, the Ankeny girls' golf team missed an opportunity to qualify for a state meet that would be held on its home course. Now, the Hawkettes are hoping that history doesn't repeat itself. The Class 4A state meet was held at Otter Creek in 2022, but Ankeny failed to qualify after placing fifth in a regional meet at Willow Creek. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about ‘Be a goldfish’: Ankeny golfers look to have fun, improve a little bit each day

‘It really could have gone either way’: Jaguars fall to Roosevelt on windy day

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The windy conditions became a huge factor during Thursday's boys' tennis meet at the Waveland courts in Des Moines. Des Moines Roosevelt opened its season with a 7-4 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial in a non-conference meet. The Jaguars' overall record dropped to 1-1. "It was super windy, which is a great equalizer unfortunately," said … [Read more...] about ‘It really could have gone either way’: Jaguars fall to Roosevelt on windy day

SOCCERTOWN: Centennial, Ankeny girls are 1-2 in first Class 3A rankings of 2023

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Defending champion Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are ranked 1-2 in the first Class 3A girls' soccer rankings of the season. The Jaguars (1-0) opened their season on Tuesday with a 10-0 victory over visiting Carlisle. The Hawkettes (1-0) posted a 1-0 overtime win at North Polk, the No. 3 team in Class 2A. Ankeny and Centennial met in the Class 3A … [Read more...] about SOCCERTOWN: Centennial, Ankeny girls are 1-2 in first Class 3A rankings of 2023

Jaguars return 3 varsity regulars from last year’s 10th-place team in Class 4A

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A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team qualified for the state meet for the first time since 2018. The Jaguars earned a 10th-place finish in Class 4A by shooting a season-best score on back-to-back days at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny. They carded a 357 in the second round to finish with a 36-hole total of 721. Three varsity regulars … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 3 varsity regulars from last year’s 10th-place team in Class 4A

Ankeny, Centennial boys combine to win 6 events at Early Bird Relays

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams combined to win six events in the Early Bird Relays on Tuesday at Waukee Northwest. No team scores were kept at the meet, which attracted a field of six schools. "The team competed and placed very well throughout," said Ankeny coach Jordan Mullen. The Jaguars had eight top-three finishes overall, … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial boys combine to win 6 events at Early Bird Relays

Ankeny girls’ team wins 3 events, places 3rd overall at Waukee Invitational

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The Ankeny girls' track team won three events and placed third overall in the Waukee Invitational on Tuesday. Ames won the meet with 92 points, while Southeast Polk was the runner-up in the 10-team field with 87. The Hawkettes finished with 84 points. "We had about 80 girls compete between JV and varsity," said Ankeny coach TJ Jumper. "As a staff we … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ team wins 3 events, places 3rd overall at Waukee Invitational

‘I’m choosing family over my career’: McAnelly resigns after 7 seasons

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly has resigned from his position after seven seasons at the school. McAnelly said it was simply time to put his family first. "It was a hard decision, but it's one that three years ago my wife and I talked about it," McAnelly said. "Our kids were going to reach eighth grade and play school ball, and we knew … [Read more...] about ‘I’m choosing family over my career’: McAnelly resigns after 7 seasons

Compton’s hat trick closes out Jaguars’ 10-0 rout over Carlisle in season opener

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The season opener for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team didn't last the full 80 minutes. The Jaguars cruised to a 10-0 victory over visiting Carlisle in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The contest ended via the mercy rule early in the second half. "All in all, we looked well organized throughout the match and shared the ball well," said … [Read more...] about Compton’s hat trick closes out Jaguars’ 10-0 rout over Carlisle in season opener