Although her college basketball career is now over, the impact that former Ankeny Centennial standout Sydney Wycoff had on the Mid-America Christian University women's squad will last a long time. Wycoff, a graduate student, has been named to the all-Central Region second team by the National Christian College Athletic Association. She helped the Evangels … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Wycoff closes out her MACU career by earning all-region honors
Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Winkel named to CIML Conference first team
Standout junior guards Carson Johnson of Ankeny and Luke Winkel of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's boys' basketball coaches. Winkel, who led the Jaguars to a 16-8 record and a trip to the Class 4A state tournament, was a unanimous pick. He averaged a team-high 16.8 points, 4.9 assists and 1.5 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Winkel named to CIML Conference first team
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Vaske, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops
Junior guard Nick Vaske helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 16-8 record this season. He made 3-of-4 attempts from 3-point range and scored 10 points in the Jaguars' 55-37 loss to Waukee Northwest in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Vaske started all 24 games, averaging 9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. He shot … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Vaske, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops
Ex-Jaguar Runchey, ex-Comet Murphy help Wartburg reach NCAA’s Sweet 16
Taylor Runchey, Jaedon Murphy and the 24th-ranked Wartburg College women's basketball team reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament before dropping a 60-51 decision to No. 1 Christopher Newport on Friday at Medford, Mass. Runchey, a junior guard and former Ankeny Centennial standout, had four rebounds and three assists in the loss. Murphy, a … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Runchey, ex-Comet Murphy help Wartburg reach NCAA’s Sweet 16
Burns helps Nebraska Kearney to 28-win season, NCAA Tournament appearance
The season ended on Friday for former Ankeny Centennial star Meg Burns and the Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team. The Lopers suffered a 74-54 loss to Pittsburg State in an NCAA Tournament first-round game in Duluth, Minn. The contest was part of the Central Regional. Burns had two points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal for Nebraska … [Read more...] about Burns helps Nebraska Kearney to 28-win season, NCAA Tournament appearance
Centennial boys return high-scoring trio of Duax, Heckenlaible and Ishibwami
Perhaps no boys' soccer team in the state returns a trio as talented as Ankeny Centennial's threesome of Ty Duax, Andrew Heckenlaible and Rashidi Ishibwami. Last year, that triumvirate racked up 154 points while leading Centennial to a 16-4 record. The Jaguars advanced to the Class 3A semifinals before dropping a 2-1 decision to Waukee Northwest. "The … [Read more...] about Centennial boys return high-scoring trio of Duax, Heckenlaible and Ishibwami
New head coach Mullen inherits deep, talented Ankeny boys’ track squad
The new head coach of the Ankeny boys' track team brings a lot of experience to the program. Jordan Mullen was a standout hurdler at Iowa who won two Big Ten titles and was a two-time all-American. He previously coached at Atlantic, where he guided the Trojans to three consecutive Hawkeye Ten crowns and led the team to a pair of top-three finishes in the … [Read more...] about New head coach Mullen inherits deep, talented Ankeny boys’ track squad
Cold shooting, foul trouble prove costly for Jaguars in loss to No. 3 Waukee NW
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana tried to look on the bright side Wednesday following his team's season-ending loss at Wells Fargo Arena. "We can be sad that we didn't win today, but let's be dang glad that it happened because you'd much rather have your season end here than before you get here," said Fontana. "This is a resilient … [Read more...] about Cold shooting, foul trouble prove costly for Jaguars in loss to No. 3 Waukee NW
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 216
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the Class 4A quarterfinals of the boys' state basketball tournament with coach Bob Fontana of Ankeny Centennial and previews the rest of the tournament. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 216
CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL: Waukee Northwest 55, Ankeny Centennial 37
The third time was not a charm for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. After losing twice to third-ranked Waukee Northwest during the regular season, the No. 10 Jaguars dropped a 55-37 decision to their CIML Conference rival in a Class 4A quarterfinal on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Wolves (22-2) had won the first two meetings by scores of … [Read more...] about CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL: Waukee Northwest 55, Ankeny Centennial 37
Pitz earns repeat all-state honors from IGCA; Gage, Pratt also recognized
Ankeny basketball standout Jenna Pitz has received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association for the second straight year. Pitz, a senior guard, was a repeat selection to the Class 5A third team. She was joined on that squad by sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial. Pitz's teammate, Savannah Gage, was named to the Class 5A … [Read more...] about Pitz earns repeat all-state honors from IGCA; Gage, Pratt also recognized
Boys’ state preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals
Last week, top-ranked Pleasant Valley capped off an undefeated season by winning the girls' Class 5A state basketball title. Now, the No. 1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys' team will try to accomplish the same feat. The Class 4A tournament gets under way Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Whichever team cuts down the nets on Friday night will have to win three … [Read more...] about Boys’ state preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals
‘We have some talented individuals’: Jaguars need to stay healthy, be patient
Two of the returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team are still busy playing for the boys' basketball squad. Juniors Drake Dittmar and Connor Welsch are both reserve guards for the Jaguars, who will face Waukee Northwest in a Class 4A quarterfinal on Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena. Welsch has played in all 23 … [Read more...] about ‘We have some talented individuals’: Jaguars need to stay healthy, be patient
YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors
The future looks very bright for Class 5A girls' basketball in the state of Iowa. Six sophomores and a pair of freshmen were among the players named to the Class 5A all-state teams by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, who selected the squads during a meeting on Saturday in conjunction with a panel of coaches. Ankeny star Savannah Gage and … [Read more...] about YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors
A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Fontana visits with pair of Ankeny legends
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana has been busy preparing his team for this week's Class 4A state tournament, but he still took some time on Sunday to visit Barney Alleman and Keith Hildreth, two former Ankeny players who played in three consecutive state tournaments in 1948-50. A third former player, Vern Herring, was unable to make it. … [Read more...] about A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Fontana visits with pair of Ankeny legends
Simpson’s Dunwoody named ARC Pitcher of the Week after tossing gem
Simpson College freshman Easton Dunwoody has been named the American Rivers Conference Pitcher of the Week after earning his first collegiate victory on the mound. Dunwoody, a former Ankeny standout, made his second career start in Saturday's second game, helping the Storm to a 4-1 win over St. Olaf. It was the team's first triumph of the … [Read more...] about Simpson’s Dunwoody named ARC Pitcher of the Week after tossing gem
‘We’ve got some great athletes’: Jaguars boast 15 returning state qualifiers
With 120 athletes on the roster, the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team boasts a lot of depth in multiple areas. New head coach Tyler Asbe, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant for the Ankeny girls' team, likes what he has seen thus far from his squad. "The practices are going really well," said Asbe. "The girls have come to practice with … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got some great athletes’: Jaguars boast 15 returning state qualifiers
Unanimous pick Gage earns all-league first-team honors along with Clark, Pratt
Ankeny sophomore guard Savannah Gage has been named to the CIML Conference girls' basketball first team along with a pair of Ankeny Centennial players--senior guard Makenna Clark and sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt. Gage, who led the Hawkettes to a 12-11 record this season, was one of five unanimous picks to the squad. She averaged 16.6 points per game, … [Read more...] about Unanimous pick Gage earns all-league first-team honors along with Clark, Pratt
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Schreurs, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops
Senior guard Drew Schreurs has helped the 10th-ranked Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 16-7 record. He scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds to help his team to a 54-47 win over No. 8 Cedar Falls in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Marshalltown, allowing the Jaguars to advance to the state tournament for the second time in school … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Schreurs, Ankeny Centennial boys’ hoops
‘Together We Rise’: Hawkettes return 16 qualifiers, look to contend for 4A crown
A year ago, the Ankeny girls' track team nearly captured a trophy at the Class 4A state meet, finishing just 1.5 points out of third place. The Hawkettes, who placed seventh with 44.5 points, might have enough talent back from that squad to earn some hardware this spring. Ankeny boasts 16 returning state qualifiers for new head coach T.J. Jumper, who … [Read more...] about ‘Together We Rise’: Hawkettes return 16 qualifiers, look to contend for 4A crown