The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers may have secured a top-eight seed for the Class 3A regional duals later this month. The eighth-ranked Jaguars defeated a pair of opponents on Thursday during a CIML Conference triangular at Centennial. After rolling to a 70-4 win over Waukee, Centennial followed with a 62-15 triumph over No. 7 Johnston--which is one of the … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past No. 7 Johnston, could be in position to host 3A regional dual
‘It was definitely a nailbiter’: Ankeny boys’ team edges Valley bowlers by 2 pins
For the Ankeny boys' bowling team, Thursday's dual meet against visiting Valley came down to the last frame at Great Escape. A final shot by the Tigers left two pins standing, allowing Ankeny to emerge with the victory by the narrowest of margins. The Hawks won by a score of 2,807 to 2,805. "It literally came down to the last frame where a great shot … [Read more...] about ‘It was definitely a nailbiter’: Ankeny boys’ team edges Valley bowlers by 2 pins
Ankeny swimmers beat S.E. Polk to even their records, will face Linn-Mar next
It's been a good week thus far for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. After rolling to a non-conference win over visiting Indianola on Tuesday, the fourth-ranked Hawks traveled to Southeast Polk on Thursday and dominated a CIML Conference dual meet. Ankeny won all 11 events and romped to a 132-38 victory over the No. 18 Rams. The Hawks evened their … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers beat S.E. Polk to even their records, will face Linn-Mar next
Johnson’s game-winner with 1.4 seconds left allows Central to edge Buena Vista
Abby Johnson left the Northern State women's basketball team after her freshman season. The former Ankeny standout appears to be fitting in nicely with her new squad. Johnson, a sophomore guard, made a game-winning layup with 1.4 seconds left to give Central College a 60-58 victory over visiting Buena Vista on Wednesday. The Dutch earned their first … [Read more...] about Johnson’s game-winner with 1.4 seconds left allows Central to edge Buena Vista
FOUL PLAY: Jaguars adjust slowly to ‘tighter whistle’ in loss at No. 8 Dowling
Some early foul trouble proved to be disastrous for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team on Tuesday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars fell behind in the first quarter at No. 8 Dowling Catholic, 22-10, and could never recover. The Maroons went on to post a 57-40 victory. "We just didn't play well enough," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. "The foul … [Read more...] about FOUL PLAY: Jaguars adjust slowly to ‘tighter whistle’ in loss at No. 8 Dowling
‘They were the more aggressive team’: Dowling avenges 37-point loss to Jags
There are no nights off in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team learned that lesson on Tuesday night. The fourth-ranked Jaguars suffered a 52-47 loss at Dowling Catholic, which avenged last month's 78-41 shellacking at Centennial. "Hats off to them," Centennial coach Bob Fontana said of the Maroons. "They … [Read more...] about ‘They were the more aggressive team’: Dowling avenges 37-point loss to Jags
‘The boys had a fun time competing’: Hawk swimmers cruise past Indianola
The Ankeny boys' swimming team is trending in the right direction. That was the assessment of coach Justin Crouch following the fourth-ranked Hawks' 128-42 victory over No. 19 Indianola in a non-conference meet on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. "The boys had a fun time competing tonight," said Crouch. "It was good to get a win, but even … [Read more...] about ‘The boys had a fun time competing’: Hawk swimmers cruise past Indianola
Ankeny girls rout Urbandale, then edge Rams to claim league dual-meet crown
Chalk up another accomplishment for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program in its inaugural season. Ankeny wrapped up the CIML Conference dual-meet championship with a pair of wins over Urbandale and host Southeast Polk on Tuesday. Coach Dustin Roland's team rolled to a 72-6 victory over the J-Hawks, then followed with a 42-34 win over the Rams. Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rout Urbandale, then edge Rams to claim league dual-meet crown
‘We got exposed’: Ankeny hangs around for awhile before Dragons dominate
The Central Iowa Metropolitan League boasts seven of the top 11 teams in Class 5A in the latest girls' basketball rankings from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Despite the overall strength of the nine-team league, top-ranked Johnston continues to dominate its CIML rivals. The defending state champion Dragons extended their winning streak to … [Read more...] about ‘We got exposed’: Ankeny hangs around for awhile before Dragons dominate
Johnston boys pull away with 24-5 run in 3rd quarter, defeat Hawks for 2nd time
This time, the Johnston boys' basketball team didn't blow a big lead. The Dragons, who let a 16-point cushion in the fourth quarter slip away in a 65-64 loss at fifth-ranked Indianola on Saturday, bounced back with a 63-50 victory over visiting Ankeny on Tuesday. They opened the second half with a 24-5 run to build a 54-29 advantage, then cruised to the … [Read more...] about Johnston boys pull away with 24-5 run in 3rd quarter, defeat Hawks for 2nd time
Nelson resigns after 8 years at Ankeny, will rejoin UNI as offensive line coach
Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson is headed back to Cedar Falls. Nelson, who was a longtime assistant coach at Northern Iowa before taking over the Hawks' program in 2015, has announced his resignation. He will rejoin the Panthers' staff as the offensive line coach. Nelson replaces Ryan Clanton, who was the offensive line coach and offensive … [Read more...] about Nelson resigns after 8 years at Ankeny, will rejoin UNI as offensive line coach
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 208
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews Cole Netten and JJ Kohl about their selections to the Fanatic all-time Ankeny football team. Kohl also discusses his performance at last week's Under Armour Next All-America Game in Orlando. Ankeny Fanatic sponsor Nick Jarosh of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 208
Hansen, Anderson win titles, lead Hawks to overall crown at Mendenhall Invite
A long layoff didn't seem to bother the Ankeny wrestling team. Competing for the first time since Dec. 20, the seventh-ranked Hawks easily captured the team title in the Jack Mendenhall Invitational on Saturday at Ames. They scored 211.5 points to finish 58.5 points ahead of No. 4 Fort Dodge, which placed second in the 17-team field. "We had an 18-day … [Read more...] about Hansen, Anderson win titles, lead Hawks to overall crown at Mendenhall Invite
Centennial wrestlers crown 4 champs, capture overall title at Lepic Invite
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers crowned four individual champions and also captured the team title in the Tom Lepic Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City West. The Jaguars racked up 189.5 points, 16 more than runner-up Pleasant Valley. Norwalk, Fort Madison and Iowa City West also competed in the round-robin event. "We wrestled an aggressive style," … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers crown 4 champs, capture overall title at Lepic Invite
Ankeny Fanatic Preps of the Week: Chase Jordan and Kali Ogg, Ankeny bowling
Senior Chase Jordan leads the Ankeny boys' bowling team with a 358.5 series average. He bowled a season-high total of 413 in the Hawks' win over Johnston in their season opener on Dec. 1 at Game Day Lanes. Sophomore Kali Ogg ranks second on the Ankeny girls' squad with a 303 series average. She bowled a career-best total of 334 to lead the Hawkettes to a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Preps of the Week: Chase Jordan and Kali Ogg, Ankeny bowling
Hawkettes rout Roosevelt girls, avenge last year’s loss in Class 5A regional final
The Ankeny girls' basketball team took an early lead against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt on Saturday without any time running off the clock. The Roughriders were called for a technical foul before the opening tipoff because the uniform number for one of their players was incorrectly entered into the scorebook. It was that kind of day for … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout Roosevelt girls, avenge last year’s loss in Class 5A regional final
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)
For the last 54 years, a lot of young boys have grown up in Ankeny wanting to play football for coach Jerry Pezzetti. Some of those players wanted to follow in the footsteps of their fathers who played for Pezzetti. That was the case for Drew Carlson, a standout linebacker on Ankeny's 2012 state championship team. His father, Luke, starred for Pezzetti … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)
Hot-shooting Jaguars make 13 3-point goals, romp to win over S.E. Polk
One of the things that stands out about the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team is the Jaguars' unselfish play. Fourth-ranked Centennial racked up 20 assists while committing just six turnovers and rolled to a 77-47 victory over visiting Southeast Polk on Friday. "We had great ball movement and really shared the ball," said Centennial coach Bob … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Jaguars make 13 3-point goals, romp to win over S.E. Polk
‘It was a great win’: Centennial girls use late rally to knock off No. 6 S.E. Polk
In the latest Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union basketball rankings, Ankeny Centennial moved up one spot to No. 5 in Class 5A, trading places with CIML rival Southeast Polk. Perhaps the IGHSAU officials can predict the future. On Friday, the two teams battled down to the wire before Centennial escaped with a 54-52 victory on its home court. The … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great win’: Centennial girls use late rally to knock off No. 6 S.E. Polk
Urbandale boys rally to force OT, then hold off Hawks to end losing streak
After Jamison Patton swished a 3-pointer from the left corner midway through the third quarter of Friday's game at Urbandale, he slapped the hand of Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson on his way back up the court. Patton's trey gave his team a 32-23 lead, and it appeared that the Hawks were on the verge of ending their three-game losing … [Read more...] about Urbandale boys rally to force OT, then hold off Hawks to end losing streak