Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars win Centennial Duals, earn 100th victory in program history

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team didn't just win the Centennial Duals on Saturday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars dominated their own tournament. Centennial defeated its five opponents by an average margin of 66-13. The Jaguars rolled past Dowling Catholic in the final, 58-18, to capture their third straight crown. "We had a good day. We wrestled … [Read more...] about Jaguars win Centennial Duals, earn 100th victory in program history

Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer has yet to play this season due to injury

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Connor Kasperbauer's sophomore basketball season at Kirkwood Community College has yet to get under way. The former Ankeny Centennial standout, who helped the Eagles to the NJCAA Division II title last season, has been sidelined by an injury. "I had surgery at the end of April last year to take some bone spurs in my ankle out, and shave off some of my … [Read more...] about Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer has yet to play this season due to injury

Unbeaten Jaguars shut down Johnston for impressive 57-40 road victory

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Friday's game at Johnston was expected to be the biggest test of the season thus far for the unbeaten Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. The Jaguars passed it with flying colors. Centennial used a 24-point third quarter to pull away for a 57-40 victory in the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams. The Dragons were held to just 26 percent … [Read more...] about Unbeaten Jaguars shut down Johnston for impressive 57-40 road victory

‘You have to play a full 4 quarters’: Centennial girls let late lead slip away

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For more than three quarters Friday night, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball squad outplayed one of the state's best teams. The 13th-ranked Jaguars held a 40-28 lead at No. 4 Johnston with 6 minutes left in the CIML Central Conference opener. But they couldn't close out the victory. The Dragons outscored Centennial the rest of the way, 19-4, and … [Read more...] about ‘You have to play a full 4 quarters’: Centennial girls let late lead slip away

Maroons make 25-of-34 free throws, hand Ankeny boys their first loss

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Friday's CIML Central Conference opener between the Ankeny and Dowling Catholic boys' basketball teams turned into a free-throw shooting contest. The two squads combined for 64 free-throw attempts, including 35 in the fourth quarter alone. Four Ankeny players fouled out in the final period as the Hawks tried to rally on their home court, but Dowling held … [Read more...] about Maroons make 25-of-34 free throws, hand Ankeny boys their first loss

Clark, Gaber lead No. 3 Dowling girls past Hawkettes in conference opener

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Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly wasn't worried about stopping Dowling Catholic star Caitlin Clark heading into Friday's CIML Central Conference opener. It was fellow senior Grace Gaber who concerned McAnelly the most. "Going into the game, obviously Caitlin is going to get her (points). That's just a given," McAnelly said of Clark, the Iowa … [Read more...] about Clark, Gaber lead No. 3 Dowling girls past Hawkettes in conference opener

Bauer, Brecht, Petersen earn all-state honors from Des Moines Register

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One of the best passing combinations in Class 4A this season was Ankeny's junior duo of quarterback Jase Bauer and wide receiver Brody Brecht. Both players have received all-state football honors from The Des Moines Register after leading the Hawks to an 8-3 record and a Class 4A quarterfinal appearance. Brecht was named to the Elite team, which … [Read more...] about Bauer, Brecht, Petersen earn all-state honors from Des Moines Register

Hawks top Lincoln, but fail to capitalize against depleted S.E. Polk team

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Southeast Polk's vaunted wrestling team appeared to be somewhat vulnerable entering Thursday's double dual meet against Des Moines Lincoln and host Ankeny. The second-ranked Rams, who were the runner-up in last year's Class 3A state tournament, fielded a lineup that was missing several varsity regulars. "I think they had two or three kids not make … [Read more...] about Hawks top Lincoln, but fail to capitalize against depleted S.E. Polk team

Hawkins named to D3football.com All-West Region third team

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Central College quarterback Blaine Hawkins has been named to the D3football.com All-West Region third team. Hawkins, a former Ankeny star, was one of five Central players selected to the squad. Kicker Jon Alberts was a first-team pick, while Hawkins was joined on the third team by offensive linemen Josh Mayhew and Cody Smith and defensive tackle Blade … [Read more...] about Hawkins named to D3football.com All-West Region third team

‘Give Dowling credit’: Maroons hand Ankeny swimmers first loss in 2 years

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The Ankeny boys' swimming team had not lost a dual meet in nearly two years. The Hawks' unbeaten streak came to an end on Thursday with a 93-77 loss to Dowling Catholic at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The Maroons used a strong finish to win the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams. "Give Dowling credit--their last three events were better than … [Read more...] about ‘Give Dowling credit’: Maroons hand Ankeny swimmers first loss in 2 years

Crews pours in career-high 25 points, leads Jaguars to victory at Valley

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Jaron Crews and the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team showed a glimpse of their potential on Tuesday night. Crews poured in a career-high 25 points, including a go-ahead 3-point goal with 2 minutes 7 seconds left, as the Jaguars remained unbeaten with a 59-51 victory at Valley. "It's a good win, but we're just taking it one game at a time," said … [Read more...] about Crews pours in career-high 25 points, leads Jaguars to victory at Valley

Ankeny bowlers complete busy stretch of meets with loss to Waukee

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The Ankeny bowlers are ready for a few days of rest. The two teams completed a busy stretch of meets on Tuesday with a loss to Waukee at Great Escape. The Warriors won the boys' meet by a score of 3,075 to 2,901 and also captured the girls' meet by a score of 2,249 to 2,237. The Hawkettes are now 2-2 on the season. The Hawks' record dropped to … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowlers complete busy stretch of meets with loss to Waukee

Hawks outlast Lincoln in OT as Smith hits tying, game-winning free throws

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Jaxon Smith stood at the charity stripe with a chance to give his undefeated Ankeny boys' basketball team another hard-fought victory. The senior guard calmly delivered. Smith made two free throws in the final seconds of overtime as the Hawks posted a 62-60 win at Des Moines Lincoln on Tuesday. He finished with 25 points. "I was sure I could make … [Read more...] about Hawks outlast Lincoln in OT as Smith hits tying, game-winning free throws

Early lead quickly disappears as Jaguars fall to defending state champs

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team had the defending Class 5A state champion on the ropes Tuesday night. But the Jaguars were unable to deliver the knockout blow. Eighth-ranked Centennial jumped out to an early 11-1 lead at No. 12 Valley before the Tigers used runs of 14-2 and 19-5 to rally for a 52-44 victory. "We started off really well, … [Read more...] about Early lead quickly disappears as Jaguars fall to defending state champs

Hawkettes extend winning streak, will host showdown against Dowling next

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team will take a four-game winning streak into its CIML Central Conference opener on Friday. The Hawkettes rolled to a 54-18 victory at Des Moines Lincoln on Tuesday to raise their record to 4-1. The Railsplitters dropped to 0-3. "It was a nice team win," said Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly. "Once again, we shared the ball very … [Read more...] about Hawkettes extend winning streak, will host showdown against Dowling next

Jaguars rout Ottumwa, close in on 100th victory in school history

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team didn't waste any time in putting away visiting Ottumwa on Tuesday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars recorded nine pins, seven of them in the first period, and rolled to a 76-6 victory. They evened their dual-meet record at 1-1. "We wrestled well," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We got after it and had a good … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Ottumwa, close in on 100th victory in school history

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karter Kester, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball

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Senior post player Karter Kester is a member of the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. He has helped the Jaguars to a 3-0 record. Kester is averaging 2.0 points and 0.5 rebounds per game. “Karter has brought energy and enthusiasm to our team. He brings it every day in practice and in games," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "He is a great … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karter Kester, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball

Creighton’s Ballenger named to all-East Region first team

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Creighton volleyball standout Megan Ballenger has received all-region honors for the first time in her career. Ballenger, a senior from Ankeny, was one of four Bluejays to be honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on Tuesday. She was joined on the all-East Region first team by teammates Keely Davis, Brittany Witt and East Region Player of … [Read more...] about Creighton’s Ballenger named to all-East Region first team