Due to some balmy spring weather, the season is already off to a good start for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. "This has been the most the team has been able to train outdoors this early," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "The coaches and athletes have taken advantage of it." The Jaguars tied for 25th place in last year's Class 4A state meet … [Read more...] about Centennial boys return 16 state qualifiers, led by deep group of sprinters
News
‘I’m sure I’ve made the right choice’: Peiffer to wrestle at Northwestern
Ankeny senior Teagen Peiffer has committed to wrestle next year at Northwestern College in Orange City. Peiffer said it took him awhile to find the right school. "I visited a lot of schools, but in the end there were only a few I was seriously considering," said Peiffer. "It definitely wasn’t an easy decision. There were a lot of factors I needed to … [Read more...] about ‘I’m sure I’ve made the right choice’: Peiffer to wrestle at Northwestern
Aguirre, Vaske earn academic all-state boys’ basketball honors from IBCA
Seniors Lio Aguirre of Ankeny and Nick Vaske of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the academic all-state boys' basketball team by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. The 23-player team was selected by an IBCA panel from more than 136 applicants. The 2024 squad has the following averages: An ACT composite score of 26.5, a scoring average of 16.9 … [Read more...] about Aguirre, Vaske earn academic all-state boys’ basketball honors from IBCA
Ankeny boys look to ‘raise the standard’ in first season under new coach Fuccio
Although the Ankeny boys' soccer team boasts a new head coach in Trevor Fuccio, the Hawks may look a lot like last year's squad. Most of the starters are back from a year ago, when Fuccio was an assistant under former coach Marcus Varnum. "The practices have been going well so far," said Fuccio. "The boys are adjusting well to some of the new ideas, … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys look to ‘raise the standard’ in first season under new coach Fuccio
‘Our focus will be improving each day’: Hawkettes return 5 varsity regulars
When the Ankeny girls' tennis team opens its season on April 4 at Waukee, the Hawkettes' lineup will feature a new No. 1 player. Kira Smith, a two-time state qualifier and the daughter of coach Steve Smith, is not on the team's roster. "Kira is training in Florida, and I’m preparing for the season as if she won’t be playing," said coach Smith. It … [Read more...] about ‘Our focus will be improving each day’: Hawkettes return 5 varsity regulars
Hungry, humble Hawks off to good start in quest for Class 4A state championship
After nearly winning a state championship last year, the Ankeny boys' track team is looking to capture the Class 4A crown in 2024. The Hawks battled CIML Conference rival Johnston down to the wire a year ago before the Dragons edged Ankeny in the final two events to win the title with 84 points. Coach Jordan Mullen's squad took second with 80 points, the … [Read more...] about Hungry, humble Hawks off to good start in quest for Class 4A state championship
Winkel, Johnson earn first-team all-state honors in Class 4A from IPSWA
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball standout Luke Winkel has been named to the Class 4A all-state first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association for the second straight year. Winkel was joined on the first team by Ankeny star Carson Johnson, who was a second-team pick a year ago. Both players surpassed the 1,000-point career mark this … [Read more...] about Winkel, Johnson earn first-team all-state honors in Class 4A from IPSWA
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Pederson, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Senior forward Cade Pederson helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to an 18-7 record and a trip to the Class 4A semifinals. He averaged 4.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while leading the Hawks with 23 blocks. Pederson had eight points and eight rebounds in Ankeny's 60-47 win over Dubuque Senior in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday at Wells … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Pederson, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Johnson, Winkel are repeat selections to CIML Conference first team
Senior guards Carson Johnson of Ankeny and Luke Winkel of Ankeny Centennial were both repeat selections to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's boys' basketball coaches. They were both unanimous picks. Johnson led the Hawks to an 18-7 record and a trip to the Class 4A semifinals. He was the second-leading scorer in Class 4A with an … [Read more...] about Johnson, Winkel are repeat selections to CIML Conference first team
Murray leads Grand View to conference tourney title, into NAIA Championship
Cleao Murray has led the Grand View women's basketball team to unprecedented heights. The former Ankeny Centennial star scored 19 points to help the Vikings to a 65-62 victory over visiting Benedictine (Kan.) in the championship game of the Heart of America Conference Tournament on Tuesday at Sisam Arena. She went 8-of-19 from the field, including 2-of-6 … [Read more...] about Murray leads Grand View to conference tourney title, into NAIA Championship
Wartburg women’s squad reaches Div. III Final 4 for 3rd time in program history
Taylor Runchey's final collegiate basketball season will conclude at the NCAA Division III Final Four. The former Ankeny Centennial standout helped the Wartburg College women's team to a 68-58 victory over Washington and Lee University in the Elite 8 on Saturday at Providence, R.I. She had three rebounds, an assist and a block in 29 minutes of … [Read more...] about Wartburg women’s squad reaches Div. III Final 4 for 3rd time in program history
Runchey, Wartburg advance to Elite 8 with last-second win over Bates College
Taylor Runchey and the Wartburg College women's basketball team have reached the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament. Runchey, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, helped the Knights to a 54-53 victory over Bates College in the Sweet 16 round of the Division III tournament on Friday at Providence, R.I. She had two points, five rebounds and four assists in the … [Read more...] about Runchey, Wartburg advance to Elite 8 with last-second win over Bates College
Cougars contain Johnson with trapping defense, advance to Class 4A title game
Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys' basketball coach Jon McKowen refused to let Ankeny's Carson Johnson beat his team. The strategy proved to be effective. The top-ranked Cougars used a trapping defense to hold Johnson to nine points on 4-of-13 shooting and posted a 63-51 victory in the Class 4A semifinals on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. "We press every … [Read more...] about Cougars contain Johnson with trapping defense, advance to Class 4A title game
‘I was really proud of our fight’: Hawks’ rally falls short against C.R. Kennedy
The Ankeny boys' basketball team closed out the season on Thursday with a 63-51 loss to top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy in the Class 4A semifinals at Wells Fargo Arena. The loss ended an eight-game winning streak for the Hawks, who finished with an 18-7 record. "I was really proud of our fight. I thought we won the last three quarters ultimately, but … [Read more...] about ‘I was really proud of our fight’: Hawks’ rally falls short against C.R. Kennedy
‘I can’t wait for this next chapter!’: Jaguars’ Kroska to play soccer at Denver
Ankeny Centennial junior Olivia Kroska is headed to the Mile High City in the fall of 2025. Kroska, a midfielder, has committed to play Division I soccer for the University of Denver. "I looked at quite a few schools, and they were all in different areas," said Kroska. "It was a little hard at first to wrap my head around being so far away from family … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait for this next chapter!’: Jaguars’ Kroska to play soccer at Denver
An all-CIML final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals
And now we're down to the Final Four. There wasn't much drama in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena, where the four games were decided by an average of 12.5 points. The last two games ended up with single-digit margins, but Valley and Bettendorf both held on to win after once leading by 15 and 19 points, respectively. So … [Read more...] about An all-CIML final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals
‘This is just the first one’: Hawks top Dub. Senior, will face No. 1 C.R. Kennedy next
Carson Johnson still remembers the feeling he had walking off the court two years ago after his Ankeny boys' basketball team lost to Johnston in the Class 4A quarterfinals. "Losing here my sophomore year, it sucked," Johnson said. "We just wanted to get back here and get a win for so long. Seeing all that hard work pay off is just great." Johnson … [Read more...] about ‘This is just the first one’: Hawks top Dub. Senior, will face No. 1 C.R. Kennedy next
Ex-Jaguar Porter enters transfer portal after freshman season at William Jewell
Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Averi Porter is looking for a new home. Porter, a freshman guard for the William Jewell women's team, announced Wednesday on social media that she has entered the transfer portal. "I’d like to thank my teammates for an amazing first year at William Jewell," she tweeted on X. "I will always be grateful for … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Porter enters transfer portal after freshman season at William Jewell
More all-state girls’ basketball honors for Centennial duo, Ankeny’s Williams
The Ankeny Centennial duo of Mya Crawford and Jaeden Pratt has received all-state girls' basketball honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association along with Ankeny standout Jayla Williams. Crawford, a junior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. She also earned first-team honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Crawford led the … [Read more...] about More all-state girls’ basketball honors for Centennial duo, Ankeny’s Williams
State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Class 4A quarterfinals
Last week, the Johnston girls' basketball team cruised to the Class 5A championship in Des Moines, capping off a second perfect season in the last three years and winning its third state title in five seasons. Now, it's the boys' turn to take over Wells Fargo Arena. This week, another top-ranked team will try to complete an undefeated campaign in the … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for Class 4A quarterfinals