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‘We still got second, and that’s good’: Jaguars settle for runner-up trophy

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Anna Christiansen vowed that the Ankeny Centennial softball team would be back to Harlan Rogers Park. "I'm extremely proud of this team, and these underclassmen are going to take this program places," Christiansen said after Friday night's Class 5A championship game at Fort Dodge. "This program is unlike any other in the state, and I'm extremely confident … [Read more...] about ‘We still got second, and that’s good’: Jaguars settle for runner-up trophy

‘Tonight just wasn’t our night’: Jaguars fall to Fort Dodge, Adams in 5A title game

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The clock struck midnight on Ankeny Centennial's Cinderella run through the state softball tournament. After knocking off two higher-ranked opponents earlier in the week, the 10th-ranked Jaguars dropped a 2-0 decision to No. 2 Fort Dodge in the Class 5A championship game on Friday night at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Jalen Adams tossed a … [Read more...] about ‘Tonight just wasn’t our night’: Jaguars fall to Fort Dodge, Adams in 5A title game

Ex-Centennial star Cowan signs free agent deal with Cincinnati Reds

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Former Ankeny Centennial pitcher Cam Cowan has always wanted to play professional baseball. His dream became a lot closer to reality earlier this week. The Campbell University righthander signed a free agent deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. "I couldn't have done it without the help of all the people around me," said Cowan. "I'm very … [Read more...] about Ex-Centennial star Cowan signs free agent deal with Cincinnati Reds

‘We want that championship’: Jaguars advance to Class 5A final for first time

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The Ankeny Centennial softball players got the rematch they wanted. The 10th-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A championship game with an 8-1 victory over No. 5 Pleasant Valley in the semifinals on Wednesday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Centennial (33-9) will play No. 2 Fort Dodge (37-4) for the title on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘We want that championship’: Jaguars advance to Class 5A final for first time

‘It feels awesome’: Brecht, Hawks are headed to Iowa City for 4A tournament

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It took the Ankeny baseball team a few innings to figure out Valley pitcher Oliver Parizek on Wednesday night. But once the Hawks did, they cruised to another state tournament berth. Brody Brecht tossed a three-hitter and had 14 strikeouts as second-ranked Ankeny posted a 3-1 victory over the visiting Tigers in a Class 4A substate final. "It feels … [Read more...] about ‘It feels awesome’: Brecht, Hawks are headed to Iowa City for 4A tournament

Hawks advance to state baseball tournament for third consecutive year

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The Ankeny baseball team is headed to the Class 4A state tournament for the third consecutive year. Brody Brecht tossed a three-hitter and had 14 strikeouts, Colin Riggs hit a huge two-run double, and the second-ranked Hawks posted a 3-1 victory over visiting Valley in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The Tigers finished the season with a 19-20 … [Read more...] about Hawks advance to state baseball tournament for third consecutive year

Jaguars rally past Pleasant Valley, will play Fort Dodge for Class 5A crown

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Ankeny Centennial first baseman Lizzy Klunder was in the right spot at the right time to get a souvenir from the state softball tournament on Wednesday. Klunder caught a pop fly for the final out of the game as the 10th-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 5 Pleasant Valley, 8-1, in the Class 5A semifinals at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "I was running … [Read more...] about Jaguars rally past Pleasant Valley, will play Fort Dodge for Class 5A crown

‘We love being here’: Jaguars top City High, earn return trip to 5A semifinals

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A victory on Tuesday guaranteed that the seniors on the Ankeny Centennial softball team would get to play two more games together. The 10th-ranked Jaguars avoided playing in a meaningless consolation game on Wednesday by posting a 2-0 win over No. 6 Iowa City High in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort … [Read more...] about ‘We love being here’: Jaguars top City High, earn return trip to 5A semifinals

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Praze Buchan, Ankeny softball

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Sophomore Praze Buchan is a member of the Ankeny softball team. She helped the Hawkettes to a 21-17 record this season. Buchan played in 19 games and started six times. She batted .457 with three doubles and 10 RBIs. "Praze is a consistent, reliable presence at the plate," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "She came in clutch for us several times late in … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Praze Buchan, Ankeny softball

‘Special KKKKKKKKK’ delivers again: Klug pitches Jaguars past Iowa City High

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Sam Klug tossed a three-hitter and had nine strikeouts to lead the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 2-0 victory over No. 6 Iowa City High in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Tuesday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Klug (11-5) retired the last 11 batters that she faced as Centennial (32-9) advanced to the … [Read more...] about ‘Special KKKKKKKKK’ delivers again: Klug pitches Jaguars past Iowa City High

Klug, Schulz, Carter, Overturf named to Class 5A West all-district team

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Two Ankeny Centennial softball stars have been named to the all-district team along with a pair of standouts from Ankeny. Senior pitcher Sam Klug and senior catcher Ella Schulz of Centennial were both selected to the Class 5A West squad by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. They were joined on the all-district team by senior shortstop Marina Carter and … [Read more...] about Klug, Schulz, Carter, Overturf named to Class 5A West all-district team

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sydney Morris, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Sophomore outfielder Sydney Morris has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 31-9 record. She hit her first varsity home run in the Jaguars' 3-2 victory at No. 4 Indianola in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday, providing what proved to be the winning run as her squad advanced to the state tournament for the second straight … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sydney Morris, Ankeny Centennial softball

Hawkettes, Jaguars each place 4 players on academic all-state team

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Four players from both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial softball teams have been named to the academic all-state team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Senior outfielders Madeleine Murphy and Shelby Romig were among the Ankeny players honored. The others were senior infielders Alex Brooks and Hannah Hogan. Senior catcher Ella Schulz was among … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars each place 4 players on academic all-state team

‘Things just didn’t go our way’: Jaguars fall to Roosevelt in 10 innings

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Ankeny Centennial outfielder Easton Miller had been chasing down fly balls all afternoon. Des Moines Roosevelt's Walker Bennett finally hit a ball that Miller couldn't catch. Bennett stroked an RBI double in the bottom of the 10th inning to tie the game, then scored the winning run on an error as the host Roughriders rallied for a 3-2 victory over … [Read more...] about ‘Things just didn’t go our way’: Jaguars fall to Roosevelt in 10 innings

Hawks begin their quest for Class 4A crown with 16-0 victory over North

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Ankeny pitcher Will Johnson picked up the easiest win of his high school baseball career on Friday night. The senior righthander retired all three Des Moines North batters that he faced in the top of the first inning, then took the rest of the night off after throwing just 11 pitches when his teammates erupted for 13 runs in the bottom of the … [Read more...] about Hawks begin their quest for Class 4A crown with 16-0 victory over North

Frandson, 4 other Hawk swimmers earn all-American honors from NISCA

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Five Ankeny boys' swimming standouts have received all-American honors from the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association, including Trent Frandson, who was a four-time all-American as a senior. Frandson captured his third consecutive titles in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events at the state meet on Feb. 13 at the Linn-Mar Aquatic Center, where … [Read more...] about Frandson, 4 other Hawk swimmers earn all-American honors from NISCA

Jaguars oust No. 4 Indianola, will play Iowa City High in Class 5A quarterfinals

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Sam Klug played a supporting role on last year's Ankeny Centennial softball team that earned a third-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament. Now, she'll get a chance to play a starring role at Harlan Rogers Park. Klug tossed a six-hitter and had six strikeouts to help the 10th-ranked Jaguars to a 3-2 victory at No. 4 Indianola in a regional … [Read more...] about Jaguars oust No. 4 Indianola, will play Iowa City High in Class 5A quarterfinals