Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

‘We don’t win the game without them’: Klingner, Smith help Jags past Roosevelt

by

All season long, senior point guard Luke Winkel has been carrying a heavy load for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team. On Friday at Centennial, two junior reserves--Cabryn Klingner and Will Smith--helped the 10th-ranked Jaguars keep their season alive. Klingner scored all eight of his points in the first half, then Smith had all eight of his … [Read more...] about ‘We don’t win the game without them’: Klingner, Smith help Jags past Roosevelt

Johnson, Hawks cruise past Iowa City Liberty, setting up crosstown showdown

by

(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The crowd was loud and the stakes were high as the eighth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team hosted Iowa City Liberty in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. Liberty had won five of its last six games and was looking to continue that hot streak and move closer to the state tournament, but Carson Johnson and the Hawks had … [Read more...] about Johnson, Hawks cruise past Iowa City Liberty, setting up crosstown showdown

‘I’m extremely blessed’: Centennial’s Lewis to play soccer at Rockhurst

by

Ankeny Centennial senior Avery Lewis has committed to play soccer at Rockhurst University, an NCAA Division II school in Kansas City. Lewis, a midfielder, announced her decision Thursday on social media. "I'm extremely blessed to announce my commitment to play soccer and further my education at Rockhurst University!" Lewis tweeted on X. "Thank you to … [Read more...] about ‘I’m extremely blessed’: Centennial’s Lewis to play soccer at Rockhurst

‘I’m proud of these girls’: Hawkettes fall short against Valley in regional final

by

When Karsen Jacks made a tough shot in the lane with 3 minutes 4 seconds left in Tuesday's Class 5A regional final, the Ankeny girls' basketball team appeared to be on the verge of qualifying for the state tournament for the first time since the split into two high schools in 2013. Jacks' basket gave the eighth-ranked Hawkettes a 34-29 lead over visiting … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of these girls’: Hawkettes fall short against Valley in regional final

‘Our kids really stepped up’: Jaguars roll past S.C. East, earn another trip to state

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is headed back to Wells Fargo Arena. The fifth-ranked Jaguars advanced to the state tournament for the fourth consecutive year by defeating No. 10 Sioux City East, 53-25, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. This time, coach Scott DeJong's squad didn't have to sweat out a close game in the … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids really stepped up’: Jaguars roll past S.C. East, earn another trip to state

‘It’s a way of life’: Bakker excited to take on new role as Ankeny Activities Director

by

Mike Bakker has officially been named the Activities Director at Ankeny High School. Bakker, who previously served as the Activities Director at Southview Middle School, has been filling the role on an interim basis since last month, when Adam McDonnell left for a new position in Cedar Rapids. "I'm really excited about maybe providing some stability to … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a way of life’: Bakker excited to take on new role as Ankeny Activities Director

‘It was a pretty easy choice’: Centennial’s Duax to play soccer at Western Illinois

by

Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer standout Ty Duax is headed to Macomb in the fall. The senior forward/midfielder has verbally committed to play for Western Illinois. "For me, it was a pretty easy choice," said Duax, the son of Centennial coach Brian Duax. "Western showed a lot of interest, and I clicked with the coaching staff pretty quickly. I didn't … [Read more...] about ‘It was a pretty easy choice’: Centennial’s Duax to play soccer at Western Illinois

‘I think this was God’s plan all along!’: Ankeny’s Morrison to play for Grand View

by

Despite suffering a serious knee injury last year, Ankeny linebacker Nolan Morrison will still be taking his talents to the next level. The senior has committed to play football for Grand View University in the fall. "I had been talking to quite a few schools, but Grand View was one of the few that I actually visited," said Morrison. "Some things I … [Read more...] about ‘I think this was God’s plan all along!’: Ankeny’s Morrison to play for Grand View

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cale Vandermark, Centennial wrestling

by

Sophomore Cale Vandermark helped the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team to a fourth-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament last week at Wells Fargo Arena. It matched the Jaguars' highest finish in school history. Vandermark took fourth for the second year in a row, this time at 113 pounds. He finished the season with a 36-7 record. Here is some … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cale Vandermark, Centennial wrestling

Centennial wrestlers place 4th, Hawks finish 14th in Class 3A state tournament

by

Jack Wignall and Jay Groth both walked away from Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday with their heads held high. The respective coaches for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial wrestling teams had plenty of reasons to be proud of their teams' performances over the last four days. They also had bright futures to be excited about. Fourth-ranked Centennial placed … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers place 4th, Hawks finish 14th in Class 3A state tournament

Martin, Crawford lead No. 5 Jaguars past Sioux City North in postseason opener

by

Ava Martin wasn't going to let a gash on her head take her out of the lineup for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The junior guard made 4-of-7 3-point shots and scored 12 points to help the fifth-ranked Jaguars to a 64-30 victory over visiting Sioux City North in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. She wore a bandage across her … [Read more...] about Martin, Crawford lead No. 5 Jaguars past Sioux City North in postseason opener

Hawkettes roll past C.R. Kennedy, will host Valley for trip to state tournament

by

For the fourth year in a row, the Ankeny girls' basketball team is just one win away from a trip to the state tournament. This time, the Hawkettes will get to host the regional final. Eighth-ranked Ankeny opened postseason play on Saturday with a 58-40 victory over visiting Cedar Rapids Kennedy in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Cougars finished the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past C.R. Kennedy, will host Valley for trip to state tournament

Centennial quartet, Ankeny duo come up short in Class 3A semifinal matches

by

It was a rough Friday afternoon for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial wrestling teams. The two squads combined to go 0-for-6 in the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. "That blood round has come back to haunt us for the second year in a row," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We didn't have a very good one last year … [Read more...] about Centennial quartet, Ankeny duo come up short in Class 3A semifinal matches

‘We fought hard’: Jaguars advance 4 to semis, stay in contention for team trophy

by

Four Ankeny Centennial wrestlers advanced to Friday's semifinals in a variety of ways at the Class 3A state tournament. In the process, the quartet moved the fourth-ranked Jaguars closer to a coveted team trophy. Centennial sits in third place at the midway point of the tournament with 77.5 points, 12 more than fourth-place Indianola. No. 1 Southeast … [Read more...] about ‘We fought hard’: Jaguars advance 4 to semis, stay in contention for team trophy

Winkel reaches milestone as Jags beat Johnston to close out regular season

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team closed out the regular season Thursday on a high note. The 10th-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 17-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and went on to post a 59-40 victory over visiting Johnston, allowing them to complete a sweep of the season series. "We got off to a great start," said Centennial coach Bob … [Read more...] about Winkel reaches milestone as Jags beat Johnston to close out regular season

Hansen, Wignall reach semifinals, but trio of OT losses sting for Hawk wrestlers

by

Ankeny's bid for a top-10 finish in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament took a major hit on Thursday afternoon during the second day of the four-day meet at Wells Fargo Arena. The Hawks advanced two wrestlers into Friday's semifinals, but lost three matches in overtime and another one by just one point. They are now in 15th place with 45.5 points … [Read more...] about Hansen, Wignall reach semifinals, but trio of OT losses sting for Hawk wrestlers

Jaguars sit in 2nd place, advance 8 of their 11 state qualifiers to quarterfinals

by

In 2019, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team placed fourth in the Class 3A state tournament, the school's highest finish ever. This week at Wells Fargo Arena, the fourth-ranked Jaguars are looking to finish even higher. Centennial got off to a great start on Wednesday, when the Jaguars went 11-3 on the opening day of the tournament and advanced eight … [Read more...] about Jaguars sit in 2nd place, advance 8 of their 11 state qualifiers to quarterfinals

Hawks are tied for 9th place in Class 3A, advance 5 wrestlers to quarterfinals

by

With only three top-eight seeds among its nine state qualifiers, the Ankeny wrestling team likely wasn't expected to contend for a top-10 finish at this week's Class 3A tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. But the Hawks are doing just that. On Wednesday, Ankeny went 8-4 on the opening day of the tournament and advanced five wrestlers to Thursday's … [Read more...] about Hawks are tied for 9th place in Class 3A, advance 5 wrestlers to quarterfinals

Ankeny’s Dalton commits to play football at Iowa Central Community College

by

Ankeny defensive back Nolan Dalton has made his college plans. The senior has committed to play football for Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. "It was down to Iowa Central, Ellsworth and Grand View," said Dalton. "It was a hard decision, but I wanted to go to a two-year (school) to see where I could end up after that." Dalton emerged as … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Dalton commits to play football at Iowa Central Community College