Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

‘This was a huge win’: Late rally allows Jaguars to knock off No. 2 Pleasant Valley

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This wasn't just another November victory for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The fifth-ranked Jaguars scored the final nine points of the game and rallied to beat No. 2 Pleasant Valley, 44-40, on Saturday in Cedar Rapids. The contest was part of the 19th Rivalry Saturday held on the campus of Kirkwood Community College. "To go to a … [Read more...] about ‘This was a huge win’: Late rally allows Jaguars to knock off No. 2 Pleasant Valley

‘We have talent and depth and numbers’: Jaguars boast 8 returning state qualifiers

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A year ago, Ankeny Centennial advanced 12 wrestlers to the Class 3A state tournament--the most in school history. Now, eight of those 12 wrestlers are back, the most returning qualifiers the Jaguars have ever had under coach Jay Groth. "We are an experienced crew," Groth said. "We are working hard to raise the bar to get to the next level. We have a … [Read more...] about ‘We have talent and depth and numbers’: Jaguars boast 8 returning state qualifiers

Senior trio of Aguirre, Johnson, Schoolen to lead way for Ankeny boys’ squad

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Even though the Ankeny boys' basketball team struggled to a 9-15 record last year, head coach Brandt Carlson didn't view it as a disappointing season. "I guess if we view every season through the lens of wins and losses, then last year wasn't ideal," he said. "But I believe that last year our players moved our program forward and handled a lot of … [Read more...] about Senior trio of Aguirre, Johnson, Schoolen to lead way for Ankeny boys’ squad

Jaguars return 3 starters from state tourney team, led by all-stater Winkel

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On paper, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team returns some of the key players from last year's squad that posted a 16-8 record and qualified for the Class 4A state tournament. Centennial coach Bob Fontana knows, however, that another successful season is not guaranteed. "We do have a nucleus to build around and having experience can be … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 3 starters from state tourney team, led by all-stater Winkel

The Karsen Jacks Show: Senior scores career-high 30 points in Ankeny’s OT win

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The girls' basketball matchup between 13th-ranked Ankeny and No. 6 Cedar Falls was expected to feature three of the state's top 50 players, according to The Des Moines Register. Instead, Tuesday's game turned into The Karsen Jacks Show. The senior guard scored 23 of her career-high 30 points after halftime and the host Hawkettes rallied from a 13-point … [Read more...] about The Karsen Jacks Show: Senior scores career-high 30 points in Ankeny’s OT win

Ankeny swimmers place 3rd at Sprint Invitational behind Waukee, Valley

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Tuesday's Sprint Invitational at Trail Point Aquatics Center gave the Ankeny boys' swimming team a huge test right off the bat. The six-team meet featured three of the top four finishers from last year's state meet. "It was a great start to the season!" said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "It was cool to see the stands packed with fans to see a lot of the … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers place 3rd at Sprint Invitational behind Waukee, Valley

Hot-shooting Jaguars rout Roosevelt, will face No. 2 Pleasant Valley on Saturday

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team won't have many games like Tuesday's season opener against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. Perhaps the fifth-ranked Jaguars won't have any like it. Centennial raced out to a 54-6 halftime lead and rolled to a 73-18 victory over the Roughriders in a non-conference game. "We shot the ball well. We were … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Jaguars rout Roosevelt, will face No. 2 Pleasant Valley on Saturday

‘It was just a perfect fit for me!’: Peterson to play tennis for Northern Iowa

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Ankeny Centennial senior Abbie Peterson will continue her tennis career at Northern Iowa. Peterson, a two-time state placewinner, said for awhile she had not planned on taking her game to the next level. "To be honest, I had not been playing tournaments or looking into playing in college until very recently," she said. "I was planning on getting into … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a perfect fit for me!’: Peterson to play tennis for Northern Iowa

Six Ankeny players, four Centennial stars earn IPSWA all-state football honors

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Six Ankeny football players and four more from Ankeny Centennial have earned all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. The teams were selected by the IPSWA in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Senior receiver Devon Akers, junior offensive lineman Lukis Beroth, senior linebacker Connor Kayser and senior … [Read more...] about Six Ankeny players, four Centennial stars earn IPSWA all-state football honors

With 7 returning state qualifiers, Ankeny swimmers look to contend for crowns

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Even with the graduation of Lance Swanepoel, the Ankeny boys' swimming team still boasts plenty of talent. The Hawks placed fourth in last year's state meet with 160 points, but will have to replace Swanepoel, who was named the Swim Athlete of the Year after winning both the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly to finish his career as a five-time state … [Read more...] about With 7 returning state qualifiers, Ankeny swimmers look to contend for crowns

‘It was a good fit in many ways’: Drefke picks golf over softball, commits to Augie

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For many high school athletes, finding the right college to compete at involves several different factors. The decision for Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke was even tougher. The golf and softball standout had to pick a sport, too. In the end, Drefke elected to focus on just one of the two. She will play golf at Augustana University (S.D.). "I … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good fit in many ways’: Drefke picks golf over softball, commits to Augie

‘There wasn’t anything about NIU that I didn’t like’: Akers commits to Huskies

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Ankeny wide receiver Devon Akers has verbally committed to play football at Northern Illinois. The 6-foot-6 Akers blossomed into one of the state's best deep-ball threats this season, catching 52 passes for 959 yards and eight touchdowns. He ranked second in Class 5A and 12th in the entire state in receiving yards. Akers helped Ankeny to a 9-4 record … [Read more...] about ‘There wasn’t anything about NIU that I didn’t like’: Akers commits to Huskies

Hawkettes roll past Spencer in opener, will host No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday

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A long road trip to Spencer resulted in a season-opening victory for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes forced 27 turnovers and rolled to a 73-22 win in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon. "It was just a great opportunity for us to compete and spend some time together. It worked out well," said first-year Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Spencer in opener, will host No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday

Cleveland, McGrew pin their way to titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Nevada

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After winning the Central Iowa Kickoff on Saturday at Nevada, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team has earned a little bit of a break. Ankeny won't compete again until Nov. 28, when it faces Valley in its CIML Conference opener at Johnston. "We have a number of girls banged up already this season so we are excited to have some recovery time over the … [Read more...] about Cleveland, McGrew pin their way to titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Nevada

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caden Henkes, Ankeny football

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Junior running back Caden Henkes accounted for 105 total yards and two touchdowns in the Ankeny football team's 49-21 loss to top-ranked Southeast Polk in the Class 5A championship game on Friday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. He ran eight times for 28 yards, including an 8-yard score late in the third quarter, and also caught four passes for 77 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caden Henkes, Ankeny football

‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars

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When the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team opens its season on Tuesday with a non-conference game against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, the Jaguars will start a lineup consisting of five underclassmen. That's because there are no seniors on the squad's roster. "I do think we have had (this situation) before, but rarely," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars

Welsch to join ISU as preferred walk-on, will reunite with ex-teammate Miller

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Ankeny Centennial defensive back Connor Welsch will be reunited with former teammate Easton Miller next fall in Ames. Welsch has accepted an offer to join Iowa State's football program as a preferred walk-on. That's the same route that Miller chose last January. Miller has been playing on the scout team and dressed out for the first time on Saturday … [Read more...] about Welsch to join ISU as preferred walk-on, will reunite with ex-teammate Miller

Hawks finish memorable postseason journey with 49-21 loss in 5A title game

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Ankeny couldn't have asked for a better start in Friday's Class 5A championship football game. Unfortunately, the Hawks needed a lot more than a 90-yard kickoff return from Evan Irlmeier to knock off mighty Southeast Polk at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The top-ranked Rams got five touchdown runs from CJ Phillip, forced six Ankeny turnovers and rolled … [Read more...] about Hawks finish memorable postseason journey with 49-21 loss in 5A title game

Can Hawks dethrone S.E. Polk? Here is Fanatic’s prediction for Class 5A final

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If you missed this week's Ankeny Fanatic podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, check it out. We broke down Friday night's Class 5A championship game with eight different guests, including both of Ankeny's coordinators, offensive tackle Lukis Beroth and defensive back Kinnick Vos. So will the Hawks capture their second title in four years and … [Read more...] about Can Hawks dethrone S.E. Polk? Here is Fanatic’s prediction for Class 5A final