Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars, Hawkettes gear up for rematches in Class 3A quarterfinals

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The girls' Class 3A state soccer tournament has a familiar look to it. All eight qualifiers are back from last year's tournament. Even more amazing, all four of Thursday's quarterfinal games are rematches from 2018. Fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial (15-3), the defending champion, will play No. 5 Council Bluffs Lincoln (16-2) at 4:15 p.m. on Field 8 at … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes gear up for rematches in Class 3A quarterfinals

Hawkettes hold off Dowling for their first win of the season

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The Ankeny softball team finally got the monkey off its back. After losing a late lead in each of their previous three games, the Hawkettes built an 8-2 advantage over visiting Dowling Catholic on Tuesday and then held on to beat the Maroons, 10-6, for their first win of the season. "I think we've been playing some great softball," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold off Dowling for their first win of the season

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Emmanuel Reichart, Centennial boys’ soccer

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Emmanuel Reichart is a member of the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team. The freshman helped the Jaguars to a 13-4 record this season. He played in 15 games, including nine starts, and had one assist. "Emmanuel brought toughness and determination to our team every time he stepped on the field," said Centennial coach Brian Duax. "His desire to play … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Emmanuel Reichart, Centennial boys’ soccer

Jaguars survive ‘nerve-racking game’, reach state for 4th consecutive year

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Qualifying for the state tournament never gets old for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. Achieving that goal, however, can sometimes be a little unsettling. The fourth-ranked Jaguars earned their fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament with a 2-0 victory over No. 15 Cedar Rapids Kennedy in a Class 3A regional final on Monday at … [Read more...] about Jaguars survive ‘nerve-racking game’, reach state for 4th consecutive year

No. 1 Johnston baseball team sweeps Centennial in matchup of unbeaten foes

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The Johnston baseball team showed on Monday why the Dragons are ranked No. 1 in Class 4A. Johnston rolled to a 14-3 victory over visiting Ankeny Centennial in six innings, then completed a sweep of the doubleheader with a 4-3 win in eight innings. It was the CIML Central Conference opener for both squads. "There's no doubt that right now they're the … [Read more...] about No. 1 Johnston baseball team sweeps Centennial in matchup of unbeaten foes

Gretz, Sharar lead Hawkettes past C.R. Prairie, back to state tournament

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It was going to take a lot more than a little rain to stop the Ankeny girls' soccer team. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes took the lead less than a minute into the game and went on to defeat No. 10 Cedar Rapids Prairie, 4-0, in a Class 3A regional final on Monday at Ankeny. The game was played in a steady rain. "It's such an amazing feeling to be going back … [Read more...] about Gretz, Sharar lead Hawkettes past C.R. Prairie, back to state tournament

Jaguars split doubleheader at Johnston as Huisman tosses shutout in opener

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Madi Huisman and the Ankeny Centennial softball team were ready for the start of CIML Central Conference play on Monday. Huisman tossed a six-hitter and had five strikeouts as the Jaguars posted a 2-0 victory in the first game of a doubleheader at 10th-ranked Johnston. The Dragons then won the nightcap, 10-5, to earn a split of the twinbill. "We played … [Read more...] about Jaguars split doubleheader at Johnston as Huisman tosses shutout in opener

Dowling’s Baumler overpowers Hawks, tosses 1-hitter in Maroons’ 3-1 victory

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The Ankeny baseball team didn't have an answer for Dowling Catholic pitcher Carter Baumler. Baumler tossed a one-hitter and had 12 strikeouts to lead the fifth-ranked Maroons to a 3-1 victory at Ankeny in the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams on Monday. The game was shortened to six innings due to rain, and the second game of the doubleheader … [Read more...] about Dowling’s Baumler overpowers Hawks, tosses 1-hitter in Maroons’ 3-1 victory

Hawks romp past Burlington, Davenport North to improve their record to 3-0

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz doesn't have much to complain about. The Hawks rolled to a pair of victories in the Tim Heggen Invitational on Saturday at Ankeny Centennial and have now outscored their first three opponents by a 32-1 margin. "It's been an interesting start to the season," said Balvanz. "We played a game (at Saydel on May 23), then we … [Read more...] about Hawks romp past Burlington, Davenport North to improve their record to 3-0

Jaguars stay unbeaten with wins over North Polk, Davenport North

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A four-run rally in the fifth inning allowed the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to defeat North Polk, 7-4, in the Tim Heggen Invitational on Saturday. The Jaguars later used a 10-run fourth inning to post an 11-1 victory over Davenport North in five innings. They raised their record to 4-0 on the season. "Those were two very good teams that we played … [Read more...] about Jaguars stay unbeaten with wins over North Polk, Davenport North

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Tayler Bloom, Centennial girls’ tennis

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Senior Tayler Bloom helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team to an 8-5 record this season. Bloom was one of the co-captains for the Jaguars. She qualified for last week's Class 2A state doubles tournament along with teammate Jordyn Gustafson. Here is some inside info on Bloom: Congratulations on an outstanding season. How did you feel about … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Tayler Bloom, Centennial girls’ tennis

Ankeny’s Rathjen places 4th at Cadet freestyle world team trials

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Caleb Rathjen proved once again this weekend that he belongs on the national wrestling stage. The Ankeny High School junior-to-be placed fourth at 60 kilos (132 pounds) in the Cadet freestyle world team trials at Akron, Ohio. He posted a 6-2 record at the trials, which were held at the Louis and Freda Stile Athletic Field House. "I thought my … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen places 4th at Cadet freestyle world team trials

‘I’ve always known that I wanted to play there’: Petersen commits to Cyclones

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Ankeny Centennial offensive lineman Brady Petersen has been waiting for an offer from a Power 5 school. When he finally got one, he didn't hesitate to accept it. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Petersen verbally committed to play for Iowa State on Saturday after receiving an offer from the Cyclones. "I knew I could play at that level, and Iowa State was my … [Read more...] about ‘I’ve always known that I wanted to play there’: Petersen commits to Cyclones

‘I’m gutted for the guys’: Hawks tumble to I.C. West in 3A quarterfinals

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Jordan Burns shared some hugs with his Ankeny boys' soccer players following a season-ending loss on Friday. The second-year head coach was hoping to say his final goodbyes at the end of the Class 3A state tournament on Tuesday, but the 10th-ranked Hawks were eliminated with a 2-1 loss to No. 2 Iowa City West in the quarterfinals at Cownie Soccer Complex … [Read more...] about ‘I’m gutted for the guys’: Hawks tumble to I.C. West in 3A quarterfinals

Hawkettes let late lead slip away again in loss to Pella

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For the second game in a row, the Ankeny softball team let a seventh-inning lead slip away. Visiting Pella, the No. 15 team in Class 4A, rallied for three runs in the seventh to post an 8-7 victory on Thursday. The game was a late addition to the schedule after Tuesday's doubleheader at Waukee was rained out. The Hawkettes (0-2) had not played since … [Read more...] about Hawkettes let late lead slip away again in loss to Pella

Pinegar chooses Sam Houston St. over FBS offers from Auburn, Washington St.

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Former Ankeny Centennial football standout Hunter Pinegar took an official visit to Sam Houston State this week. Before boarding a plane on Friday afternoon for the trip home, Pinegar verbally committed to play for the Bearkats this fall. "Believe the myth: Everything really is bigger in Texas," said Pinegar. "And second of all, everybody's love there … [Read more...] about Pinegar chooses Sam Houston St. over FBS offers from Auburn, Washington St.

Hawks get the draw they wanted, will face Iowa City West in rematch

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Ankeny boys' soccer coach Jordan Burns was hoping to avoid Waukee as long as possible. He got his wish. The seventh-seeded Hawks (12-6) will play No. 2 Iowa City West (16-1) in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament on Friday at 5:15 p.m. The start of the tournament was pushed back a day due to wet fields at Cownie Soccer … [Read more...] about Hawks get the draw they wanted, will face Iowa City West in rematch

Gustafson closes out her career in style with 5th-place finish at state

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The trip home from Bettendorf was a pleasant one for Ankeny Centennial senior Alli Gustafson. Gustafson closed out her high school tennis career with a fifth-place finish in the girls' Class 2A state singles tournament. She went 4-1 in the two-day event, capped off by a pair of straight-set victories on Thursday. "I am super happy to have placed fifth … [Read more...] about Gustafson closes out her career in style with 5th-place finish at state