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Deep, experienced Ankeny team boosted by additions of Johnson, Lewis

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The Ankeny softball team was already expected to have a deep and experienced roster. Now, the Hawkettes have been strengthened by the addition of some talented newcomers. Senior Kendra Lewis and junior Cassie Johnson have joined the program after previously focusing on club softball. Lewis has signed a letter of intent with Morehead State, while … [Read more...] about Deep, experienced Ankeny team boosted by additions of Johnson, Lewis

Jaguars earn trip to state team tourney with victory over rival Ankeny girls

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Six days ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team qualified all six of its players for the Class 2A individual state tournament. Now, the third-ranked Jaguars have qualified for the state team competition as well. Centennial posted a 5-0 victory over No. 10 Ankeny in a Class 2A regional final on Tuesday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn trip to state team tourney with victory over rival Ankeny girls

Oakie, Alberhasky combine on 2-hitter with 18 K’s in Jaguars’ 9-0 victory

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The hype surrounding the Ankeny Centennial baseball team appears to be justified--based on its season opener. Ranked second in Class 4A in the preseason rankings by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association, the Jaguars kicked off the 2023 campaign with a 9-0 victory over Webster City on Monday. The non-conference game was played at Walt Anderson … [Read more...] about Oakie, Alberhasky combine on 2-hitter with 18 K’s in Jaguars’ 9-0 victory

Hawks top Waterloo West, then tumble to No. 7 Mason City in substate semifinal

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The Ankeny boys' tennis team advanced to the semifinals of a Class 2A substate team tournament on Monday before dropping a 5-0 decision to host Mason City, the No. 7 team in Class 2A. The tournament was originally slated for Friday, but was postponed due to rain. The Hawks finished the season with a 2-9 record. "Mason City proved why they were the No. … [Read more...] about Hawks top Waterloo West, then tumble to No. 7 Mason City in substate semifinal

Ankeny golfers fall to S.E. Polk, will head to Waterloo next for regional meet

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The Ankeny girls' golf team closed out its dual-meet season on Monday with a 156-199 loss to third-ranked Southeast Polk at Otter Creek. The Hawkettes finished with a 0-8 record in the CIML Conference. "First, hats off to all of the Southeast Polk players and their coaches," said Ankeny coach Seth Hagarty. "They truly are a state championship caliber … [Read more...] about Ankeny golfers fall to S.E. Polk, will head to Waterloo next for regional meet

Murken returns to his baseball roots, helps build Rippey’s own Field of Dreams

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Mel Murken still has a deep love for the game of baseball. Anyone who attended Monday's season opener for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team could see that passion on full display. The second-ranked Jaguars posted a 9-0 victory over Webster City at Walt Anderson Field in Rippey, where Murken now lives in retirement. "It's an honor to play here," … [Read more...] about Murken returns to his baseball roots, helps build Rippey’s own Field of Dreams

Macke records hat trick, leads Ankeny girls past Iowa City West on Senior Night

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Alli Macke recorded a hat trick and the Ankeny girls' soccer team erupted for five goals in the second half to post a 5-0 victory over visiting Iowa City West in a non-conference game on Monday. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes finished the regular season with a 10-3-1 record. "We challenged the girls to have more conviction and passion the second half, and … [Read more...] about Macke records hat trick, leads Ankeny girls past Iowa City West on Senior Night

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Megan Yuan, Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis

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Junior Megan Yuan is one of six players on the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team to qualify for the Class 2A state tournament, which will be held on May 26-27 at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Center in Iowa City. Yuan and Samara Peterson defeated teammates Jenna Benkufsky and Ara Lofgren, 6-2, 6-3, to win a regional doubles title on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Megan Yuan, Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis

Challenging new CIML awaits two-time defending league champion Hawks

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A talented group of seniors will lead the way this season for the Ankeny baseball team. A trio of all-conference players--catcher Max Watson, pitcher Alex Griess and outfielder Ben Sandvig--is back for the Hawks, along with some other key returnees. "The practices have been great this spring," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "Our seniors have done a … [Read more...] about Challenging new CIML awaits two-time defending league champion Hawks

Coed state track qualifiers announced: Ankeny girls’ team advances in 17 events

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The coed state track qualifiers have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The Ankeny girls' team has qualified in 17 events, one more than the Ankeny boys' squad. Both Ankeny Centennial teams have qualified in 12 events. Here are all of the qualifiers from Ankeny and Centennial, … [Read more...] about Coed state track qualifiers announced: Ankeny girls’ team advances in 17 events

Pritchard-to-Pitz connection gives Hawkettes 1-0 victory over No. 2 Valley

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Jenna Pitz and the Ankeny girls' soccer team appear to be peaking at the right time. Pitz scored the game's only goal in the first half and the fourth-ranked Hawkettes went on to beat visiting Valley, 1-0, in the CIML Conference finale for both teams on Friday. The No. 2 Tigers were held scoreless for only the second time this season. "It's a really … [Read more...] about Pritchard-to-Pitz connection gives Hawkettes 1-0 victory over No. 2 Valley

‘We just lost the important points’: Jags fall to Johnston in substate semifinal, 5-4

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It's been a year of close losses for the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team. The latest one brought the Jaguars' season to an end. After posting a 5-0 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes in a Class 2A substate team tournament on Friday at Johnston, Centennial dropped a 5-4 decision to the host Dragons in the semifinal round. The two teams were tied … [Read more...] about ‘We just lost the important points’: Jags fall to Johnston in substate semifinal, 5-4

Centennial girls ‘have a lot to be proud of’ despite 3-1 loss to No. 1 Wolves

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There's no doubt which team is favored to win the Class 3A girls' soccer championship in a few weeks. Top-ranked Waukee Northwest completed an undefeated run through the rugged CIML Conference with a 3-1 victory over No. 8 Ankeny Centennial on Friday. The host Wolves finished 8-0 in the league and improved to 13-1 overall. Northwest's only loss came to … [Read more...] about Centennial girls ‘have a lot to be proud of’ despite 3-1 loss to No. 1 Wolves

‘We will regroup’: Jaguars close out regular season with loss to Waukee NW

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Friday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest won't be the one that is going to define the 2023 season for the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team. There are more important contests coming up, including a likely rematch against the Wolves in a Class 4A substate final. Fourth-ranked Northwest closed out the regular season with a 2-1 victory over the … [Read more...] about ‘We will regroup’: Jaguars close out regular season with loss to Waukee NW

Centennial’s Pratt wins long jump, while Sandquist takes discus at Norwalk SQM

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The rainy conditions provided a challenge for the Ankeny Centennial track teams on Thursday. Both squads overcame a steady drizzle to earn top-four finishes in a Class 4A state qualifying meet at Norwalk. The Jaguars placed third among eight teams in the girls' division with 117.5 points. "We had a great meet with strong performances across the board … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Pratt wins long jump, while Sandquist takes discus at Norwalk SQM

No. 1 Valley boys post 7th consecutive shutout with 5-0 victory over Hawks

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There's a reason why the Valley boys' soccer team is ranked No. 1 in Class 4A. The Tigers are on a roll. Valley closed out its CIML Conference schedule with a 5-0 victory over visiting Ankeny on Thursday. It was the seventh consecutive shutout for the Tigers, who have not conceded a goal since dropping a 1-0 decision at No. 2 Johnston on April … [Read more...] about No. 1 Valley boys post 7th consecutive shutout with 5-0 victory over Hawks

‘We took care of business’: Ankeny teams score 193 points, place 2nd at SQM

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A long bus ride to Council Bluffs turned into a successful business trip for the Ankeny track teams. Both the Hawks and Hawkettes scored 193 points and placed second among eight teams in a Class 4A state qualifying meet on Thursday at Wickersham Stadium. More importantly, both Ankeny squads qualified for next week's state meet in a combined 33 … [Read more...] about ‘We took care of business’: Ankeny teams score 193 points, place 2nd at SQM

Regional soccer pairings: Ankeny, Centennial girls earn No. 1 seeds in 3A

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer teams have both received No. 1 seeds for the upcoming Class 3A regional tournaments from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Fourth-ranked Ankeny (8-3-1) is the top seed in Region 4 and will host a semifinal game against Ames (8-7) or Fort Dodge (0-8) on Tuesday, May 23 at 7 p.m. No. 12 Urbandale … [Read more...] about Regional soccer pairings: Ankeny, Centennial girls earn No. 1 seeds in 3A

Centennial golfers place 6th at CIML meet, while Hawkettes finish 8th

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' golf squad took sixth in the CIML Conference meet on Wednesday at Jester Park, while Ankeny finished eighth in the nine-team field. Third-ranked Southeast Polk shot a 326 to win the team title. No. 6 Waukee Northwest was second with a 331, followed by No. 8 Valley with a 337. Centennial and Dowling Catholic each finished … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers place 6th at CIML meet, while Hawkettes finish 8th