Ankeny Fanatic

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Jaguars advance duo to quarterfinals; 4 others alive in consolation bracket

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Six of Ankeny Centennial's eight state qualifiers are still alive following Thursday's opening session in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Ben Monroe at 120 pounds and Logan Neils at 160, who are both ranked sixth at their respective weights, each won by a major decision in the first round. Four of their teammates then won … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance duo to quarterfinals; 4 others alive in consolation bracket

Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson advance to Friday’s quarterfinals

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall didn't want to spend too much time on the mat on Thursday afternoon. Thanks to strong performances by Caleb Rathjen and Spencer Anderson, he didn't have to. Both of Ankeny's state qualifiers won their first-round matches in the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena, allowing Wignall to spend the rest of the … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rathjen, Anderson advance to Friday’s quarterfinals

Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state

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Ankeny Centennial's eight state wrestling qualifiers aren't content with just making it to Wells Fargo Arena. Neither are the two qualifiers from Ankeny High School. "We're happy that we qualified, but we're not satisfied," said Centennial coach Jay Groth, whose team advanced the most wrestlers in the five-year history of the school. "We want to get up … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny wrestlers boast high hopes heading into state

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lizzy Johnson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball

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Junior Lizzy Johnson of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Johnson has helped the Jaguars to an 18-3 record and a No. 5 ranking in Class 5A. She is averaging 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per game heading into postseason play. Johnson is also a standout on the Centennial girls' soccer … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lizzy Johnson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball

Hot-shooting Johnston hands Jaguars their 3rd straight loss

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  The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team appears to have solved some of its recent offensive woes. Now, the Jaguars may have to focus on the defensive end of the court. Johnston made 11 3-point goals in the first three quarters and went on to post a 68-57 victory in a CIML non-conference game on Tuesday, handing the visiting Jaguars … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Johnston hands Jaguars their 3rd straight loss

Carlson’s late 3-point goal lifts Hawks to win over Lincoln

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team needed a bucket on Tuesday night, the Hawks got the rock in the hands of Dillon Carlson. The junior sharpshooter responded to the challenge nearly every time. After scoring a basket at the end of the first and second quarters, Carlson saved his most dramatic buzzer-beater for last. He made a 3-point goal with about … [Read more...] about Carlson’s late 3-point goal lifts Hawks to win over Lincoln

Season ends for Ankeny bowlers with ‘off night’ at district tourney

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The Ankeny bowling teams picked a bad time to have an off night. Ankeny traveled to Marshalltown on Tuesday to compete in a Class 3A district tournament at Wayward Social. The Hawks placed third among four boys' teams with a 2,758 total, while the Hawkettes finished fourth in the girls' field with a 2,315. Neither squad qualified for next week's state … [Read more...] about Season ends for Ankeny bowlers with ‘off night’ at district tourney

Ankeny bowling teams seek berth to state tournament

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The Ankeny bowling teams will face some strong competition in a Class 3A district tournament on Tuesday at Wayward Social in Marshalltown. Johnston, Linn-Mar (Marion) and Marshalltown will be the other teams in the field. The action gets under way at 1 p.m. Johnston is the defending girls' state champion in Class 3A. Three of the top six bowlers are … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams seek berth to state tournament

Ex-Ankeny star Huston inducted into Iowa Swimming Hall of Fame

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When Kiel Huston was a young athlete, he never dreamed that he would eventually become a Hall of Fame swimmer. "Not for a second," he said. "I remember in age-group swimming, I was never the best. But just over the years through practice and coaching and hard work, I had the opportunity to have a really good career." Huston went on to become a … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny star Huston inducted into Iowa Swimming Hall of Fame

Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Collin Runyan and Sydney Sears, Ankeny bowling

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Collin Runyan and Sydney Sears are the Ankeny Fanatic preps of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The seniors are both members of the Ankeny bowling teams. Sears has led the Ankeny girls' squad to a 5-5 dual-meet record. She placed fourth in the CIML Central Conference meet on Thursday at Great Escape and is ranked 14th in the state among all … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Collin Runyan and Sydney Sears, Ankeny bowling

Ankeny’s Caleb Rathjen, Spencer Anderson capture district titles, punch ticket to state

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After being placed in a tough district, Ankeny advanced only two wrestlers to this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Caleb Rathjen at 113 pounds and Spencer Anderson at 132 each won an individual title for the Hawks, who placed fourth among the eight teams in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Waukee. They finished with 171.5 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Caleb Rathjen, Spencer Anderson capture district titles, punch ticket to state

Centennial advances 8 wrestlers to state, the most in school history

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Jay Groth was hoping to advance all 14 of his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. He'll have to settle for just eight. The Jaguars advanced the most qualifiers in school history while placing second in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. They racked up 227 points to finish … [Read more...] about Centennial advances 8 wrestlers to state, the most in school history

Hawk swimmers tie for 3rd at state, win coin flip for trophy

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Thanks to the flip of a coin, the Ankeny boys' swimming team returned home from Saturday's state meet with a coveted trophy. The top-ranked Hawks finished in a third-place tie with No. 5 Bettendorf after both teams scored 166.5 points at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City. A coin flip was then held to determine which team would get the … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers tie for 3rd at state, win coin flip for trophy

Strong finish allows Jaguars to capture CIML Central Conference crown

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When Scott DeJong goes to sleep at night, he probably dreams of new ways to stop his opponents. That's how much his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team focuses on defense. On Friday, the fifth-ranked Jaguars allowed just one point over the last 3 1/2 minutes and rallied for a 45-35 victory over No. 6 Waukee, spoiling the Warriors' Senior Night. … [Read more...] about Strong finish allows Jaguars to capture CIML Central Conference crown

Cold-shooting Jaguars tumble to Waukee in battle for league crown

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With less than 2 minutes left in Friday's game, Waukee forward Nathan Johnson leaped high in the air for an alley-oop near the basket. Johnson was unable to corral the pass, which was tipped by an Ankeny Centennial defender. But the ball went in the hoop anyway. It was that kind of night for the Jaguars. Waukee used an 11-0 run in the third quarter … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Jaguars tumble to Waukee in battle for league crown

Young leads the way as Valley girls avenge loss to Hawkettes

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Valley's Zoe Young showed again on Friday why she's considered one of the nation's top girls' basketball players in the Class of 2019. Young, a Maryland recruit, made a trio of 3-point goals and scored 19 points to lead the 12th-ranked Tigers to a 68-58 victory over No. 15 Ankeny at Valley. The junior guard also had eight rebounds, three assists, two … [Read more...] about Young leads the way as Valley girls avenge loss to Hawkettes

Valley boys hold off Hawks, earn share of conference title

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A huge second quarter lifted the Valley boys' basketball team to a 68-60 victory over visiting Ankeny on Friday, allowing the Tigers to share the CIML Central Conference title with Waukee. Valley outscored Ankeny in the second quarter, 24-10, to build a 35-24 lead at halftime. The Hawks pulled to within six points in the second half, but could not get any … [Read more...] about Valley boys hold off Hawks, earn share of conference title

Newton AD Garvis hopes to build upon Centennial’s great athletic tradition

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In the fall of 2013, Scott Garvis became the Athletic Director at Newton High School at the same time that Tom Kinseth took control of the athletic department at Ankeny Centennial's brand new high school. Now, five years later, Garvis has been named the successor for the retiring Kinseth. He will take over the position this summer. "I know Scott, and … [Read more...] about Newton AD Garvis hopes to build upon Centennial’s great athletic tradition

Hawks to visit Ames, Jaguars to host Lincoln in substate play

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  The Ankeny boys' basketball team was expecting to head north for its postseason opener later this month. It turns out that the Hawks won't have to go as far up I-35 as they thought. Fifth-seeded Ankeny will play at fourth-seeded Ames in a Class 4A Substate 8 quarterfinal on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. The Little Cyclones (7-11) are currently on a … [Read more...] about Hawks to visit Ames, Jaguars to host Lincoln in substate play