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Jaguars win 4th straight SQM, advance to state along with Centennial boys’ duo

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The seniors on the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team are used to winning. The Jaguars did it again on Wednesday. Fourth-ranked Centennial easily won a Class 4A regional meet at Marshalltown, scoring a total of 29 points. No. 10 Dallas Center-Grimes (48 points) and No. 15 Davenport Central (74 points) also advanced to state. "It's really a … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4th straight SQM, advance to state along with Centennial boys’ duo

‘It was pretty much a serving game’: ACA racks up 23 aces, sweeps Melcher-Dallas

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The first step toward a third consecutive Class 1A state championship proved to be an easy one for the Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team. The top-ranked Eagles cruised to a 25-3, 25-15, 25-5 victory over visiting Melcher-Dallas in a regional quarterfinal on Wednesday. It was their second win over the Saints, who finished the season with a 9-13 … [Read more...] about ‘It was pretty much a serving game’: ACA racks up 23 aces, sweeps Melcher-Dallas

Ankeny assistant Saladino hired to take over Hawkettes’ softball program

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Ankeny assistant softball coach Sarah Saladino has been hired to take over the Hawkettes' program. She replaces head coach Dave Bingham, who recently announced his resignation after guiding Ankeny to a 293-188 record and four trips to the state tournament over the last 12 seasons. "There's a lot of great things that coach Bingham has put in place," … [Read more...] about Ankeny assistant Saladino hired to take over Hawkettes’ softball program

Rematch in Class 5A semifinals?: Jaguars fall to No. 2, Ankeny stays No. 3 in rankings

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Last year, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial volleyball teams met in the state tournament for the second time--with the Jaguars prevailing in a five-set thriller in the Class 5A quarterfinals. This year, the two teams could meet in the Class 5A semifinals. Centennial dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 in the final Class 5A rankings on Monday after falling to … [Read more...] about Rematch in Class 5A semifinals?: Jaguars fall to No. 2, Ankeny stays No. 3 in rankings

Jaguars move up to 10th, Ankeny is now 12th in latest Class 5A RPI rankings

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Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny moved up in the latest Class 5A RPI football rankings from the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The Jaguars moved up two spots to No. 10 following a 28-10 victory at Waukee Northwest that likely knocked the Wolves out of playoff contention. The Hawks, meanwhile, moved up three spots to No. 12 after a 13-10 overtime … [Read more...] about Jaguars move up to 10th, Ankeny is now 12th in latest Class 5A RPI rankings

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cohen Moll, Centennial boys’ cross country

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Junior Cohen Moll led the eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team to a sixth-place finish in the CIML Conference meet on Wednesday at Southeast Polk. The Jaguars finished with a total of 138 points. Moll placed 10th in the 5K race with a time of 16 minutes 6 seconds, allowing him to earn all-conference honors. It was his fifth top-10 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Cohen Moll, Centennial boys’ cross country

‘I was very happy with our performance’: Ankeny divers compete at invitational

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Four Ankeny divers competed in the Marshalltown Diving Invitational on Saturday, providing a preview of next month's state meet. "This meet is known for being a great test before the postseason as it works like a mini-state meet for many," said Ankeny diving coach Chris Amundson. "Of the top 20 divers in the state, 10 of them … [Read more...] about ‘I was very happy with our performance’: Ankeny divers compete at invitational

‘I was so proud of our defense’: Clark’s pick in OT seals Hawks’ 13-10 win over Valley

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The Ankeny football team didn't want its postseason hopes to hinge on next week's regular-season finale at Cedar Rapids Washington. Friday's overtime victory against fourth-ranked Valley likely punched the Hawks' playoff ticket. LaMarious Clark picked off a third-down pass from Valley quarterback Drake DeGroote to end the game, and No. 15 Ankeny evened … [Read more...] about ‘I was so proud of our defense’: Clark’s pick in OT seals Hawks’ 13-10 win over Valley

Jaguars likely clinch playoff berth with dominant 2nd half at Waukee Northwest

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Two big plays, back-to-back, was all it took for the door to get knocked off its hinges. With some playoff implications on the line, the 12th-ranked Ankeny Centennial football team went on the road and dominated the second half for a 28-10 win over a Waukee Northwest squad fighting to keep its postseason hopes … [Read more...] about Jaguars likely clinch playoff berth with dominant 2nd half at Waukee Northwest

IGHSAU: State softball tourney to move to double elimination format in 2026

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The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Board of Directors unanimously approved the Iowa State Softball Tournament moving to a double-elimination format in 2026 at their meeting on Thursday. “Anyone that has watched the Softball College World Series knows how exciting the double-elimination format is,” said IGHSAU Executive Director Erin Gerlich. “We … [Read more...] about IGHSAU: State softball tourney to move to double elimination format in 2026

‘I really wanted to focus on the hills’: Zuber wins his 2nd straight CIML crown

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Check off another box for Ankeny runner Ethan Zuber. The senior easily defended his boys' title in the CIML Conference cross country meet on Wednesday, covering the 5K course at Southeast Polk in a time of 15 minutes 30.6 seconds. He finished about 11 seconds ahead of the Dowling Catholic duo of Owen Wolfe and Jack Flori. "That was the focus for me," … [Read more...] about ‘I really wanted to focus on the hills’: Zuber wins his 2nd straight CIML crown

Mohrhauser, Jaguars place 2nd at CIML meet; Shorthanded Hawkettes finish 5th

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The Ankeny girls' cross country team was not at full strength on Wednesday, and neither was Ankeny Centennial. Still, both teams had some good performances in the CIML Conference meet at Southeast Polk. The fourth-ranked Jaguars, who were without coach Eric Cogdill, placed second in the nine-team field for the second straight year. They finished with … [Read more...] about Mohrhauser, Jaguars place 2nd at CIML meet; Shorthanded Hawkettes finish 5th

Ex-Hawk Adamson verbally commits to play baseball at Cal State Bakersfield

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Former Ankeny pitcher Brock Adamson has found a new home. The Ellsworth Community College sophomore has verbally committed to play for the Cal State Bakersfield baseball program in 2025. "I am excited to announce my commitment to Cal State Bakersfield to further my academic and baseball career," Adamson tweeted on X. "I want to thank God, my family, … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk Adamson verbally commits to play baseball at Cal State Bakersfield

Baethke returns to Urbandale, guides Hawkettes to sweep over her former team

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Of all the gyms that the Ankeny volleyball team has played in throughout the fall, the Hawkettes closed out their regular season in one that’s more than familiar to coach Liz Baethke. The second-year Ankeny coach returned to Urbandale on Tuesday to help guide the Hawkettes to a 3-0 sweep (25-9, 25-4, 25-19) over a J-Hawks … [Read more...] about Baethke returns to Urbandale, guides Hawkettes to sweep over her former team

‘That’s hard to do’: Jaguars sweep SEP, complete perfect 8-0 run through CIML

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There may not be a more battle-tested volleyball team in the state than Ankeny Centennial. The top-ranked Jaguars capped off a perfect run through the CIML Conference with a 25-11, 25-12, 25-16 victory over visiting Southeast Polk on Tuesday. Centennial, which had already clinched the outright conference title, finished 8-0 in the league and improved … [Read more...] about ‘That’s hard to do’: Jaguars sweep SEP, complete perfect 8-0 run through CIML

Tough conditions: Hawks drop to 8th, while Jaguars finish 9th at 4A state meet

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The course at Briarwood Golf Club played a lot tougher in the final round of the boys' Class 4A state golf meet. It resulted in higher scores for just about every team, including Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial. The 15th-ranked Hawks shot a 323 on Tuesday and finished with a 36-hole total of 626. They placed eighth in the 12-team field after sitting in … [Read more...] about Tough conditions: Hawks drop to 8th, while Jaguars finish 9th at 4A state meet

SQM assignments: Ankeny to compete at S.E. Polk, while Jags head to Marshalltown

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The cross country state qualifying meet assignments have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The Ankeny boys' and girls' teams have been assigned to the Southeast Polk site. Johnston, Southeast Polk and Urbandale will be among the teams in the field. The Ankeny Centennial boys' and … [Read more...] about SQM assignments: Ankeny to compete at S.E. Polk, while Jags head to Marshalltown

No. 7 Ankeny swimmers close out regular season with 111-75 victory at S.E. Polk

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The seventh-ranked Ankeny girls' swimming team completed its dual-meet season on Tuesday with a 111-75 victory at No. 14 Southeast Polk. The Hawkettes won seven of the 12 events. They finished 3-3 in the CIML Conference and improved their overall mark to 8-4. "We had a good meet to close out the regular season," said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "It is … [Read more...] about No. 7 Ankeny swimmers close out regular season with 111-75 victory at S.E. Polk