Sophomore pitcher Joey Oakie was one of the stars of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. He posted a 3-3 record with a 1.92 ERA and a team-high 63 strikeouts this season. He also batted .347 with one home run, six doubles and 21 RBIs. Here is a Q & A between Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm and Oakie, who was planning to attend the Class 4A … [Read more...] about Q & A with Ankeny Centennial sophomore pitcher Joey Oakie
News
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 191
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews softball standouts Mackenzie James of Ankeny Centennial and Mariah Parton of Ankeny. Coldwell Banker realtor Andy Logan also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 191
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kyle Miller, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Junior third baseman Kyle Miller helped the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 25-14 record this season. The Jaguars tied for second place in the CIML Iowa Conference with a 16-6 mark. Miller batted .383 with three home runs, seven doubles and 25 RBIs. He had a pair of hits in the Jaguars' 3-2 loss at No. 1 Johnston in a Class 4A substate … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kyle Miller, Ankeny Centennial baseball
‘I knew it was the best place for me!’: Clark commits to play for Wayne State
Ankeny Centennial's Makenna Clark has committed to play basketball at Wayne State College, beginning in the fall of 2023. The junior guard made her decision after visiting Wayne State and a few other schools. "The coaching staff was very welcoming, and when I left the visit, I knew it was the best place for me!" Clark said. Clark averaged 6.2 points … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was the best place for me!’: Clark commits to play for Wayne State
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Sydney Morris, Centennial junior
The catcher hits an RBI double in the Jaguars' 9-4 loss to Linn-Mar (Marion) in a Class 5A regional final. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Sydney Morris, Centennial junior
‘We gave it our all’: Jaguars push No. 1 Johnston to the limit in substate final
The members of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team shared some hugs on the field Wednesday. Even though their season didn't end the way they wanted it to, the Jaguars are still a close-knit group. "I'm so proud of my teammates," said sophomore pitcher Joey Oakie. "I couldn't ask for anyone better to be my teammates. They're my brothers, and since the … [Read more...] about ‘We gave it our all’: Jaguars push No. 1 Johnston to the limit in substate final
Linn-Mar erupts for 7 runs in 6th inning, denies Jaguars another trip to state
One bad inning proved to be costly for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Eighth-ranked Linn-Mar (Marion) erupted for seven runs in the sixth inning to defeat the No. 5 Jaguars, 9-4, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. "We knew Linn-Mar was going to be a good team," said Centennial coach Brett Delaney. "They came out and swung the … [Read more...] about Linn-Mar erupts for 7 runs in 6th inning, denies Jaguars another trip to state
‘The season ended too soon’: Hawkettes fall short in regional final at S.E. Polk
Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham didn't want the season to end. He really wanted to coach the seniors on this year's squad for another week. The 11th-ranked Hawkettes fell one win short of a trip to the Class 5A state tournament. They dropped a 4-3 decision at No. 7 Southeast Polk in a regional final on Tuesday. "We're definitely heartbroken … [Read more...] about ‘The season ended too soon’: Hawkettes fall short in regional final at S.E. Polk
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 190
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the high school baseball postseason with Ankeny Centennial second baseman Damin Churchman, Des Moines Roosevelt head coach Randy Wee and Ankeny Christian Academy pitcher/catcher Malachi Johnson. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 190
WALK-OFF MAGIC!: Churchman’s 2-run single advances Jaguars to substate final
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team finally solved Mason City pitcher Carter Thomas. Damin Churchman hit a two-run single with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the fifth-ranked Jaguars a thrilling 2-1 victory over visiting Mason City in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Monday. "My approach was just to shorten up my swing and just try … [Read more...] about WALK-OFF MAGIC!: Churchman’s 2-run single advances Jaguars to substate final
Indianola’s fast start proves to be too much for Hawks to overcome in 8-5 loss
A rough start resulted in a season-ending loss for the Ankeny baseball team on Monday. Visiting Indianola jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the first two innings and went on to defeat the Hawks, 8-5, in a Class 4A substate semifinal. The Indians (25-12) advanced to Wednesday's substate final at 10th-ranked Urbandale (25-14). "They competed all night, and I … [Read more...] about Indianola’s fast start proves to be too much for Hawks to overcome in 8-5 loss
‘We just couldn’t push that tying run across’: Eagles fall to Ogden in 8 innings
Ankeny Christian Academy's dream season on the baseball diamond came to an end on Saturday. But the memories of an historic campaign will not be soon forgotten. The ninth-ranked Eagles lost to Ogden, 3-2, in eight innings in a Class 1A district final at Urbandale. They finished the best season in school history with a 26-2 record. "That was one … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t push that tying run across’: Eagles fall to Ogden in 8 innings
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Solis, Ankeny Centennial softball
Senior shortstop Lauren Solis has helped the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 25-12 record. She is batting .333 with four doubles and 20 RBIs. The Jaguars posted a 4-3 victory over visiting Waterloo West in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. Solis watched the game from the dugout due to a season-ending injury that she suffered … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Solis, Ankeny Centennial softball
Survive and advance: Jaguars hold off Waterloo West, will host Linn-Mar next
Survive and advance. That's all that matters in postseason play. The Ankeny Centennial softball team got a tougher-than-expected battle from visiting Waterloo West in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday, but the fifth-ranked Jaguars held on for a 4-3 victory. "Postseason time brings out the best in everybody," said Centennial coach Brett … [Read more...] about Survive and advance: Jaguars hold off Waterloo West, will host Linn-Mar next
Hawkettes rout C.R. Kennedy behind timely hitting, Rusher’s strong effort
The Ankeny softball team didn't need a lot of help from its opponent on Saturday. The 11th-ranked Hawkettes got some anyway. Ankeny pounded out nine hits and took advantage of six errors by visiting Cedar Rapids Kennedy to defeat the Cougars, 13-2, in five innings in a Class 5A regional semifinal. "It was awesome," said Ankeny outfielder Eva Fulk, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout C.R. Kennedy behind timely hitting, Rusher’s strong effort
Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday
Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz wanted his team to get off to a fast start. The Hawks did exactly that and then some. Ankeny scored six runs in the first inning, three more in the second and went on to defeat visiting Des Moines East, 13-3, in five innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "Those early runs took the pressure off," … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday
OAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKIE!: Sophomore tosses 1-hitter, fans 14 in Jaguars’ win
Ankeny Centennial pitcher Joey Oakie put on a dazzling display Friday. The sophomore righthander tossed a one-hitter and struck out 14 of the 15 batters that he retired as the fifth-ranked Jaguars opened the baseball postseason with a 10-0 victory over visiting Fort Dodge in five innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal. "Props to my catcher for … [Read more...] about OAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKIE!: Sophomore tosses 1-hitter, fans 14 in Jaguars’ win
Ankeny star Gibson named to United Soccer Coaches All-North Region team
During the season, senior Eden Gibson was the leader of a defensive unit that resembled a brick wall, allowing just two goals during the entire girls' soccer campaign. Now, the Ankeny standout has been rewarded for her efforts. Gibson has been named to the 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-North Region team. She was joined on the squad by senior defender … [Read more...] about Ankeny star Gibson named to United Soccer Coaches All-North Region team
Hawks close out regular season with 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes
The Ankeny baseball team could afford a loss on Wednesday. That won't be the case on Friday. The Hawks closed out the regular season with a 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game. Their overall record dropped to 22-13. The Mustangs improved to 21-14 with their sixth straight victory. "We need to play better," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawks close out regular season with 3-2 loss at Dallas Center-Grimes
Kovacs named United Soccer Coaches High School All-American
Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer standout Courtney Kovacs has joined an exclusive club. The senior defender has been named a 2022 United Soccer Coaches High School Girls Winter-Spring All-American. She becomes only the third player under Centennial coach Chris Allen to earn All-American honors, joining Meg Brandt (2016) and Olivia Brown … [Read more...] about Kovacs named United Soccer Coaches High School All-American