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‘They played their hearts out’: Hawks’ late rally earns twinbill split at Pleasant Valley

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A dramatic rally allowed the Ankeny baseball team to earn a season-opening split of a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at Pleasant Valley. The Hawks rallied for five runs in the seventh inning of the nightcap to erase a 7-2 deficit, then got a sacrifice fly from Jack Clevidence in the eighth to post an 8-7 victory. "It wasn't the prettiest … [Read more...] about ‘They played their hearts out’: Hawks’ late rally earns twinbill split at Pleasant Valley

‘We are very proud of this group’: Jaguars fall at No. 5 Valley in substate final

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Tami Lewton would have been proud of her team's effort. The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis squad closed out the season on Wednesday with a 5-0 loss at fifth-ranked Valley in the final of a Class 2A substate team tournament. The Jaguars finished with a 4-9 record. Lewton missed the entire season as she wages a battle against cancer. "We are very … [Read more...] about ‘We are very proud of this group’: Jaguars fall at No. 5 Valley in substate final

KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK: Christensen racks up 18 strikeouts in ACA’s victory

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Ankeny Christian Academy pitcher Eli Christensen is already in midseason form. The senior righthander tossed a five-hitter and had a career-high 18 strikeouts to lead the Eagles to a 4-0 victory over Coon Rapids-Bayard in the opener of their high school baseball season on Tuesday at Northview Park in Urbandale. The Crusaders (1-2) were the preseason No. 1 … [Read more...] about KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK: Christensen racks up 18 strikeouts in ACA’s victory

‘They were clogging the middle’: Jaguars suffer frustrating 1-0 loss to Cedar Falls

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This wasn't the way that the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer players wanted their Senior Night to go. The seventh-ranked Jaguars finished the regular season on Tuesday with a 1-0 loss to visiting Cedar Falls in a non-conference game. The Tigers were outshot by a 16-2 margin, but they scored the game-winner when Zoe Zylstra found the net in the second half … [Read more...] about ‘They were clogging the middle’: Jaguars suffer frustrating 1-0 loss to Cedar Falls

Hawks look to regroup after closing out regular season with loss to Urbandale

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It's time for the Ankeny boys' soccer team to regroup. The seventh-ranked Hawks closed out the regular season on Tuesday with a 1-0 loss to visiting Urbandale, which snapped a five-game losing skid. The J-Hawks scored the game's only goal midway through the second half at Ankeny Stadium. "We had no injuries and no red (cards), but there were no other … [Read more...] about Hawks look to regroup after closing out regular season with loss to Urbandale

Jaguars beat Norwalk girls, then tumble to No. 3 Waukee NW in regional final

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis squad advanced to the final of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Tuesday before dropping a 5-0 decision to third-ranked Waukee Northwest, which hosted the meet. The Jaguars, who posted a 5-1 win over Norwalk in the semifinal round, ended the season with a 7-4 record. The Warriors finished 6-6. "Although today … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat Norwalk girls, then tumble to No. 3 Waukee NW in regional final

‘We had no double bagels’: Hawkettes fight hard in 5-0 loss to No. 4 Valley girls

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The Ankeny girls' tennis squad closed out its season on Tuesday with a 5-0 loss to fourth-ranked Valley in the semifinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament at Crossroads Park. The Hawkettes, who did not play Valley during the regular season, finished with a 4-9 record. "Overall, I thought we played well," said Ankeny coach Steve Smith. "When a … [Read more...] about ‘We had no double bagels’: Hawkettes fight hard in 5-0 loss to No. 4 Valley girls

‘This is a huge confidence boost’: Jaguars top Valley, remain unbeaten in shootouts

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It can be a crapshoot anytime a high school soccer game goes to a penalty-kick shootout. However, the Ankeny Centennial girls' team seems to be defying those odds. The seventh-ranked Jaguars posted a 1-0 victory at No. 4 Valley in a shootout on Monday, allowing them to tie the Tigers for third place in the final CIML Conference standings. Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘This is a huge confidence boost’: Jaguars top Valley, remain unbeaten in shootouts

As Oakie awaits MLB draft, No. 1 Jaguars appear to be primed for special season

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There's a lot of hype surrounding Joey Oakie and the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. Oakie, an Iowa recruit, is one of the top high school pitchers in the country and a probable first- or second-round pick in the upcoming MLB amateur draft, which is slated for July 14-16. It's possible, however, that Oakie could turn professional before the season … [Read more...] about As Oakie awaits MLB draft, No. 1 Jaguars appear to be primed for special season

‘This group has been dedicated’: Ankeny baseball team boasts high hopes

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A year ago, the Ankeny baseball team came up one victory shy of qualifying for the Class 4A state tournament. Coach Joe Balvanz and the Hawks are hoping to clear that hurdle this season. "The practices have been going great," said Balvanz. "The players are working hard every day to improve their skill set and baseball IQ. This group has … [Read more...] about ‘This group has been dedicated’: Ankeny baseball team boasts high hopes

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Connor Welsch, Centennial boys’ track

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Senior Connor Welsch of the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team is one of the state's top sprinters. He won the 100 in a state qualifying meet on Thursday at Waukee Northwest, setting a school record and posting the fastest time among all Class 4A qualifiers with a clocking of 10.66 seconds. Welsch anchored the winning 4x200 relay and ran on the victorious … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Connor Welsch, Centennial boys’ track

Jaguars blank D.M. East, then outlast Sioux City North to reach substate final

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis squad is one of 16 teams still left standing in the Class 2A team competition. The Jaguars rolled to a 5-0 victory over visiting Des Moines East in a substate quarterfinal on Friday, ending the Scarlets' season with a 1-11 record. Centennial then traveled to Sioux City North on Saturday and posted a 5-3 win over the … [Read more...] about Jaguars blank D.M. East, then outlast Sioux City North to reach substate final

‘It’s our Achilles’ heel’: Hawkettes lose another PK shootout, share CIML crown

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The Ankeny girls' soccer team ran out of gas. It resulted in another shootout loss. The second-ranked Hawkettes closed out the regular season on Friday with a 2-1 loss at No. 4 Valley. The Tigers' win, coupled with No. 1 Waukee Northwest's 4-2 victory at No. 7 Ankeny Centennial, allowed the Wolves to tie Ankeny for the CIML Conference title. "The … [Read more...] about ‘It’s our Achilles’ heel’: Hawkettes lose another PK shootout, share CIML crown

Hawks beat Indianola in substate team tourney before falling to C.R. Washington

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The Ankeny boys' tennis squad advanced to the semifinals of a Class 2A substate team tournament on Saturday before dropping a 5-1 decision at seventh-ranked Cedar Rapids Washington, which lost a total of only 10 games in the five singles matches that it won. The Warriors (11-4) advanced to play Johnston (6-4) in the substate final on Wednesday. The Hawks … [Read more...] about Hawks beat Indianola in substate team tourney before falling to C.R. Washington

No. 1 Wolves top Centennial girls, earn share of CIML Conference championship

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Freshman Ayrissa Robinson recorded a hat trick to lead the top-ranked Waukee Northwest girls' soccer team to a 4-2 victory at No. 7 Ankeny Centennial on Friday, allowing the Wolves to earn a share of the CIML Conference title when No. 2 Ankeny lost at No. 4 Valley in a shootout. Northwest scored twice off corner kicks in the second half to break a 2-2 … [Read more...] about No. 1 Wolves top Centennial girls, earn share of CIML Conference championship

‘We just didn’t finish chances’: Jaguars suffer their 3rd straight shutout loss

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team will have a full week to figure out its offensive woes. The Jaguars closed out the regular season on Friday with a third consecutive shutout loss, dropping a 2-0 decision at third-ranked Waukee Northwest. The Wolves finished 6-2 in the CIML Conference and improved to 12-3 overall, while Centennial's records dropped … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t finish chances’: Jaguars suffer their 3rd straight shutout loss

Former Centennial basketball player Louis passes away at the age of 19

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The leading scorer on the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team in the 2021-22 season has passed away at the age of 19. Chris Louis, who averaged 12.1 points per game while helping the Jaguars to a 12-10 record as a senior, died unexpectedly last week. Here is Louis' obituary: Christian Louis, a vibrant soul, bid farewell to this world on May 3, … [Read more...] about Former Centennial basketball player Louis passes away at the age of 19

Tentative qualifiers announced for coed state track and field meet

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The tentative qualifiers for this year's coed state track and field meet at Drake Stadium have been announced. Here are all of the qualifiers from Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial: Girls 100--Morgan Posusta (AC) 200--Karsen Jacks (A) 400--Charlee Cibula (A), Morgan Johnson (A), Ellie Pollock (AC) 800--Ellie Blevins (AC), Julia Flick (AC), Alli … [Read more...] about Tentative qualifiers announced for coed state track and field meet

‘I’m proud of the boys’: Depleted Hawks fall to Valley boys, drop to 9-7 on season

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A week off to prepare for postseason play might be just what the Ankeny boys' soccer team needs. Unfortunately, the seventh-ranked Hawks still have one game left to close out the regular season. Ankeny dropped a 3-0 decision on Friday to visiting Valley, one of the state's hottest teams. The No. 5 Tigers extended their winning streak to 13 … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of the boys’: Depleted Hawks fall to Valley boys, drop to 9-7 on season