Maybe a letdown was inevitable for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. Coming off a dramatic win in the second game of Monday's doubleheader at third-ranked Johnston and with a rivalry game against No. 10 Ankeny on deck, the No. 1 Jaguars stepped out of CIML Conference play on Tuesday to host No. 8 Dallas Center-Grimes. The Mustangs rallied for three … [Read more...] about Dallas Center-Grimes rallies for 3 runs in 7th inning to post 7-5 win over Jaguars
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No. 1 Centennial girls sweep Dragons, clinch outright CIML Conference crown
Clinching a share of the CIML Conference title wasn't enough for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. After winning the first game of a doubleheader on Monday at 10th-ranked Johnston, the No. 1 Jaguars completed a sweep with a 5-2 victory that also secured the outright league crown. "We're planning on clinching that title," eighth grade pitcher Lauren … [Read more...] about No. 1 Centennial girls sweep Dragons, clinch outright CIML Conference crown
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 225
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm discusses the Ankeny baseball team’s recent hot streak that lifted the Hawks into the Class 4A rankings with head coach Joe Balvanz and senior first baseman Ryan Maire. Coldwell Banker realtor Cody Pasa also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 225
No. 10 Hawks rout Waukee NW in 5 innings before Wolves salvage a split
After moving into the No. 10 spot in the latest Class 4A rankings, the Ankeny baseball team extended its winning streak to five games with an 18-2 victory in five innings in the opener of a CIML Conference doubleheader on Monday at Waukee Northwest. The Hawks scored seven runs in both the third and fifth innings. They pounded out 19 hits off three … [Read more...] about No. 10 Hawks rout Waukee NW in 5 innings before Wolves salvage a split
‘We’re in it for the championship’: Hawkettes sweep past Waukee NW
On the same night that its crosstown rival clinched the outright CIML Conference title, the Ankeny softball team showed that it's one of the top contenders to capture the Class 5A state championship. The third-ranked Hawkettes rallied for a 5-4 victory in 10 innings in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday at No. 2 Waukee Northwest, then completed a … [Read more...] about ‘We’re in it for the championship’: Hawkettes sweep past Waukee NW
‘That comeback was what we needed’: Jaguars rally past Johnston to earn split
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team was on the verge of falling into second place in the CIML Conference. Down to their final out in the second game of a doubleheader at third-ranked Johnston, the No. 1 Jaguars rallied for five runs in the seventh inning and salvaged a split of Monday's twinbill with a dramatic 8-7 victory. They bounced back after … [Read more...] about ‘That comeback was what we needed’: Jaguars rally past Johnston to earn split
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Max Watson, Ankeny baseball
Senior catcher Max Watson has helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 16-15 record. The Hawks have won their last four games and are 10th in Class 4A in the latest rankings by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Watson went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBIs to lead the Hawks to a 5-1 victory on Thursday at then-No. 4 Southeast Polk. He then … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Max Watson, Ankeny baseball
Hawks pound Carlisle, then beat Sioux City East to move back above .500 mark
The Ankeny baseball team moved back above the .500 mark with a pair of victories in the Brent Prange Classic on Saturday. The Hawks rolled to an 11-1 win over Carlisle in five innings, then followed with a 3-1 triumph over Sioux City East. They extended their winning streak to four games while improving to 16-15 on the season. "Every win is important … [Read more...] about Hawks pound Carlisle, then beat Sioux City East to move back above .500 mark
Jaguars beat Van Meter in matchup of top-ranked teams at Prange Classic
Emerson Alberhasky and the Ankeny Centennial baseball team had a little extra motivation on Friday. Alberhasky went 2-for-3 and drove in a run as the top-ranked Jaguars posted a 6-3 victory over Van Meter, the No. 1 team in Class 2A, in the Brent Prange Classic at Saydel. "We were definitely motivated," said Alberhasky, who also stole two bases. "We … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat Van Meter in matchup of top-ranked teams at Prange Classic
Rusher, Winfrey lead Hawkettes past Davis County, Estherville Lincoln Central
Junior Abby Rusher and senior Kendra Winfrey have handled most of the pitching duties this season for the Ankeny softball team. On Friday in the Brent Prange Classic, the duo combined for a pair of shutouts while also going 7-for-13 at the plate with five RBIs. "I like splitting games," said Rusher. "It helps keep the opponent on their toes. Me and … [Read more...] about Rusher, Winfrey lead Hawkettes past Davis County, Estherville Lincoln Central
James blasts two homers as Jaguars rebound from loss with pair of victories
The Ankeny Centennial softball players were unhappy with the way Wednesday's doubleheader against visiting Valley ended. After committing five errors and dropping a 9-3 decision in the second game for their first loss in CIML Conference play, the top-ranked Jaguars rebounded on Friday with a pair of victories over Class 3A ranked opponents at the Brent … [Read more...] about James blasts two homers as Jaguars rebound from loss with pair of victories
Swanepoel earns all-American honors in 100 butterfly for 4th consecutive year
Ankeny boys' swimming star Lance Swanepoel has earned all-American honors in the 100 butterfly for the fourth consecutive year. Swanepoel was named an all-American in four events by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. The Wisconsin recruit was an 11-time all-American in his high school career. Swanepoel ranked fifth nationally in … [Read more...] about Swanepoel earns all-American honors in 100 butterfly for 4th consecutive year
Ankeny, Centennial softball teams earn No. 1 seeds for Class 5A regional play
The Class 5A regional softball pairings have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Both top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 3 Ankeny earned No. 1 seeds in their respective regions. The Jaguars (22-4) will host Des Moines East (6-26) or Des Moines North (0-17) in a Region 4 semifinal on Saturday, July 8 at 7 p.m. Ames (19-13) will … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial softball teams earn No. 1 seeds for Class 5A regional play
Hawks top S.E. Polk, complete sweep of season series behind Halverson, Watson
When the Class 4A substate baseball pairings are announced next week, fourth-ranked Southeast Polk will be among the CIML Conference teams that could earn a No. 1 seed. But even if that happens, the Rams likely won't want to see Ankeny in their bracket. The Hawks got a brilliant pitching performance from sophomore Zach Halverson and posted a 5-1 … [Read more...] about Hawks top S.E. Polk, complete sweep of season series behind Halverson, Watson
Jaguars move closer to CIML Conference crown after splitting twinbill with Valley
Despite suffering its first loss in CIML Conference play, the Ankeny Centennial softball team moved closer to the league crown on Wednesday. The top-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 13-3 victory over No. 7 Valley in six innings before the visiting Tigers salvaged a split of the doubleheader with a 9-3 triumph in the nightcap. "We've been working really hard … [Read more...] about Jaguars move closer to CIML Conference crown after splitting twinbill with Valley
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Mackenzie James, Centennial senior
The centerfielder helps the top-ranked Jaguars move closer to the CIML Conference softball title with a 13-3 win over Valley in 6 innings in the first game of a doubleheader. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Mackenzie James, Centennial senior
EASTON PRIDE: Miller returns, Pratt hurls gem in Jaguars’ sweep over Valley
Easton Miller didn't enjoy watching his Ankeny Centennial baseball teammates succeed without him. On Wednesday night, the senior centerfielder rejoined the Jaguars' lineup and helped his squad to a doubleheader sweep over visiting Valley. "It was hard," said Miller. "I was kind of bummed out at the wins that they got. It was a long week, but I'm glad … [Read more...] about EASTON PRIDE: Miller returns, Pratt hurls gem in Jaguars’ sweep over Valley
‘We just didn’t make enough plays’: Ankeny lets lead slip away at Fort Dodge
One bad inning proved to be costly for the Ankeny softball team. The second-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 7-3 decision in a non-conference game on Wednesday at Fort Dodge, the No. 3 team in Class 4A. The Dodgers scored all seven of their runs in the sixth inning to erase a 2-0 deficit. Ankeny committed five errors in the loss, leading to four unearned … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t make enough plays’: Ankeny lets lead slip away at Fort Dodge
Sandvig sets school record for HBPs, helps Hawks earn split at Linn-Mar
Senior Ben Sandvig is more than willing to wear a pitch for the Ankeny baseball team. Sandvig was hit by a pair of pitches and scored two runs to help the Hawks to a 5-3 victory at Linn-Mar (Marion) in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday. He has now been plunked 17 times this season, breaking the school record of 15 that was … [Read more...] about Sandvig sets school record for HBPs, helps Hawks earn split at Linn-Mar
Ankeny girls’ track coach Jumper named At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A
Ankeny girls' track coach T.J. Jumper has been named an At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A. Jumper guided Ankeny to a fifth-place finish in last month's state meet at Drake Stadium. The Hawkettes finished with 50 points. Ankeny trailed eventual champion Waukee Northwest by a single point heading into the final day of the meet. "As a team, you … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ track coach Jumper named At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A