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Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Katie Petersen, Centennial girls’ track

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Ankeny Centennial senior Katie Petersen is one of the state's top returning hurdlers. She placed fourth in the 100 hurdles at last year's Class 4A state meet in a time of 14.77 seconds. Petersen also ran on the fourth-place shuttle hurdle relay, the fifth-place sprint medley relay that set a school record and the sixth-place distance medley relay. The … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Katie Petersen, Centennial girls’ track

Ex-Jaguar Williams commits to play for Division II school in Florida

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One of the reasons Keanna Williams wanted to play for Mineral Area College was to get away from home. Now, the former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout will be moving even farther away. Williams announced on social media Friday that she has committed to play for Nova Southeastern University, an NCAA Division II school in Fort Lauderdale, … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Williams commits to play for Division II school in Florida

‘The great ones adapt’: Spring sports athletes, coaches dealing with COVID-19

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Ashley Harrington found out during her spring break trip to the Dominican Republic that her final soccer season at Ankeny High School could be in jeopardy. "I didn't truly realize this pandemic could affect the season until I got an email from (coach) Simon (Brown) regarding the IGHSAU restrictions," Harrington said. "I'm not currently in the U.S. so I … [Read more...] about ‘The great ones adapt’: Spring sports athletes, coaches dealing with COVID-19

Ankeny two-sport star Brecht narrows his list of schools to Iowa, Iowa State

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Ankeny football and baseball star Brody Brecht has decided to stay close to home. The junior wide receiver and hard-throwing pitcher announced on Twitter Thursday that he has narrowed his list of schools to Iowa and Iowa State. "Appreciate all the schools who have believed in me, but I will be focusing on these two," Brecht tweeted. Iowa's football … [Read more...] about Ankeny two-sport star Brecht narrows his list of schools to Iowa, Iowa State

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ben McDermott, ACA boys’ basketball

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Sophomore Ben McDermott was one of the top reserves this season for the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team. He helped the Eagles to a 21-4 record. McDermott averaged 6.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. He also racked up 33 steals and 11 blocks. McDermott placed fourth on the team with 35 3-point goals. He shot 30.4 percent from behind … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ben McDermott, ACA boys’ basketball

Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

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Four of the state's top 24 boys' basketball players in Class 4A played for either state champion Ankeny or CIML Central Conference champ Ankeny Centennial, according to the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Senior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny and senior forward Cody McCullough of Centennial were both selected to the Class 4A all-state first team … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaron Crews, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Jaron Crews helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 24-3 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. He was a unanimous pick to the CIML Central Conference first team. Crews averaged 13.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He led the Jaguars with 51 3-point goals and 115 assists. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaron Crews, Centennial boys’ basketball

Centennial trio, Ankeny’s Bayless named to Central Conference first team

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team dominated the CIML Central Conference during the regular season. That probably explains why the Jaguars dominated the all-conference teams that were voted on by the league's coaches. Senior forwards Cody McCullough and Micah Johnson as well as junior guard Jaron Crews were all unanimous picks to the first … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny’s Bayless named to Central Conference first team

‘Everybody sees us as the underdog’: Hawks prove they’re the class of 4A

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Waukee's length provided a matchup problem for the Ankeny boys' basketball team in Friday's Class 4A championship game. But the Warriors faced some bigger problems of their own--like how to deal with Ankeny's speed and deadly outside shooting. The sixth-seeded Hawks completed an amazing run to the state title by making 10-of-17 3-point shots and … [Read more...] about ‘Everybody sees us as the underdog’: Hawks prove they’re the class of 4A

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks soar to their 2nd boys’ basketball state championship

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No doubt about it, the Ankeny boys' basketball team got hot at the right time and never cooled off. The sixth-seeded Hawks completed an amazing run to the Class 4A state title with a 78-70 victory over No. 4 Waukee in the championship game on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. It's the program's second crown and comes on the 25th anniversary of the first one in … [Read more...] about SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks soar to their 2nd boys’ basketball state championship

‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

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Bob Fontana got a little choked up following Friday's Class 4A consolation game at the boys' state basketball tournament. He knew he had coached the seniors on his Ankeny Centennial squad for the last time. "It's real tough with these guys because they've been so good," Fontana said following the Jaguars' 65-58 loss to Cedar Falls at Wells Fargo Arena. … [Read more...] about ‘He’s an animal’: McCullough sets school record with 24 rebounds in Jaguars’ loss

Jaguars tumble to Cedar Falls, finish 4th in their state tournament debut

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team placed fourth in the Class 4A state tournament. The top-seeded Jaguars lost to two-time defending champion Cedar Falls, 65-58, in the consolation final on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. They finished the best season in school history with a 24-3 record. "I'm very, very proud of these guys," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars tumble to Cedar Falls, finish 4th in their state tournament debut

The Madness ends: Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Friday’s games

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The boys' Class 4A state basketball tournament has included a little bit of everything. Thrilling finishes. Outstanding individual performances. And, of course, a heavy dose of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Friday's games will be played with spectator restrictions due to the national pandemic. But, at least the games will go on. So who is going to … [Read more...] about The Madness ends: Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Friday’s games

‘We’re not finished yet’: Kumm, Hawks to play CIML rival Waukee for 4A crown

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Ankeny's Jordan Kumm couldn't have picked a better time to break out of his shooting slump. The senior guard went 6-for-9 from 3-point range and scored 18 points to lead the sixth-seeded Hawks to a 71-57 victory over two-time defending champion Cedar Falls in the Class 4A semifinals of the boys' state basketball tournament on Thursday at Wells Fargo … [Read more...] about ‘We’re not finished yet’: Kumm, Hawks to play CIML rival Waukee for 4A crown

‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team posted a 78-70 victory at Waukee on Jan. 28, the Jaguars looked like a legitimate state championship contender. The loss, though, may have benefited the Warriors as well. Waukee has since reeled off 13 consecutive wins and avenged that loss by defeating top-seeded Centennial, 68-62, in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘They found a weakness in our defense’: Waukee boys avenge loss to Jaguars