Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

James, Kennedy, Sandholm join Miller, Johnson, Rusher on all-CIML first team

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Class 5A state champion Ankeny Centennial and state qualifier Ankeny both placed three softball players on the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. The Jaguars were represented by eighth grade pitcher Lauren Sandholm, freshman infielder Jordyn Kennedy and senior outfielder Mackenzie James, who was named to a utility position. … [Read more...] about James, Kennedy, Sandholm join Miller, Johnson, Rusher on all-CIML first team

Centennial foursome, Ankeny’s Watson named to CIML Conference first team

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Ankeny senior catcher Max Watson has joined four players from the Ankeny Centennial baseball team on the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. The Jaguars were represented on the squad by junior pitcher Joey Oakie, senior pitcher Easton Pratt, senior catcher Nick Severson and senior infielder Damin Churchman. That foursome led … [Read more...] about Centennial foursome, Ankeny’s Watson named to CIML Conference first team

‘This is so well-deserved’: Dominant Jaguars romp to Class 5A softball crown

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It was a moment that Mariah Belzer will never forget. Ankeny Centennial's senior shortstop caught a line drive off the bat of Pleasant Valley's Ashley Hansen for the final out of Thursday's Class 5A state championship softball game, securing the Jaguars' first title in school history. "She's a slapper, and she hit it that way the last time," Belzer … [Read more...] about ‘This is so well-deserved’: Dominant Jaguars romp to Class 5A softball crown

ROARING GOOD TIME: Jaguars capture first state title in dominating fashion

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team didn't just capture its first state title. The top-ranked Jaguars dominated the Class 5A tournament. Centennial erupted for six runs in the first inning and went on to beat No. 6 Pleasant Valley, 11-0, in five innings in the championship game on Thursday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. The Jaguars (36-5) … [Read more...] about ROARING GOOD TIME: Jaguars capture first state title in dominating fashion

No. 1 for a reason: Ankeny Fanatic’s prediction for the Class 5A title game

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While the top half of the bracket in the Class 5A state softball tournament has gone according to form this week, the bottom half has produced some unexpected results. Sixth-ranked Pleasant Valley and No. 7 Muscatine both pulled off upsets in the quarterfinals on Monday, then the Spartans avenged last year's quarterfinal loss to Muscatine in the semifinals … [Read more...] about No. 1 for a reason: Ankeny Fanatic’s prediction for the Class 5A title game

JAGUAR UPRISING: 8-run outburst in 5th inning sends Centennial to 5A title game

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When Ankeny Centennial's Sydney Morris made the second out with no runners on during the fifth inning of Wednesday's game against CIML Conference rival Southeast Polk, the senior catcher didn't expect to bat again just a few minutes later. But that's exactly what happened. Nine batters and seven hits later, Morris stepped to the plate and delivered a … [Read more...] about JAGUAR UPRISING: 8-run outburst in 5th inning sends Centennial to 5A title game

‘We had a great season’: Ankeny girls tie for 7th in 5A, finish year with 31-8 record

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Cassie Johnson and her Ankeny softball teammates walked away from the Class 5A state tournament with their heads held high. "Of course we came into state wanting to win, but I couldn't be more proud of this team," said Johnson. "They are my best friends, and I wouldn't have wanted to go through the ups and downs with anyone else!" The second-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great season’: Ankeny girls tie for 7th in 5A, finish year with 31-8 record

Rematch Wednesday: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

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The Class 5A semifinals at the state softball tournament on Wednesday will feature a pair of rematches between conference rivals. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm and photographer Drue Wolfe will be making an aerial trip to Fort Dodge with local pilot Chris Janssen, and luckily we'll be able to walk across the street to Harlan Rogers Park from the Fort … [Read more...] about Rematch Wednesday: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf

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The nerves eventually went away for Lauren Gustofson and the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Perhaps the pink hair might have helped. Gustofson, a senior pitcher, got out of some early jams and the top-ranked Jaguars went on to beat No. 8 Bettendorf, 7-1, in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "I was pretty … [Read more...] about PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf

Hawkettes fall to Muscatine, will play defending champs in consolation game

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There won't be an all-Ankeny clash, or even an all-CIML Conference battle, in the Class 5A state championship softball game. Second-ranked Ankeny and No. 3 Waukee Northwest, the defending champion, were both upset by teams from the Mississippi Athletic Conference in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Hawkettes fall to Muscatine, will play defending champs in consolation game

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Severson, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Senior catcher Nick Severson helped lead the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 30-8 record. The Jaguars set a school record for most victories in a season. Severson batted .463 with two home runs, 12 doubles and 27 RBIs. He struck out only eight times in 123 plate appearances. Here is some inside info on Severson: Congratulations on an … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nick Severson, Ankeny Centennial baseball

State softball preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

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The state softball tournament gets under way on Monday at Fort Dodge, and the Class 5A field boasts five teams from the CIML Conference--including top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 2 Ankeny. Three squads from eastern Iowa will try to pull off an upset in Monday's quarterfinals. The other quarterfinal will be an all-CIML matchup between No. 4 Southeast … [Read more...] about State softball preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

Grand View’s Miller transfers to UNI after placing 9th in javelin at NAIA nationals

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Former Ankeny thrower Justice Miller has decided to join the Northern Iowa men's track and field program. Justice will transfer from Grand View University, where he spent the first two seasons of his college career. "(Grand View) was some of the best times (of my life), and I really do love the team," Miller said. "But it was a mixture of wanting to be … [Read more...] about Grand View’s Miller transfers to UNI after placing 9th in javelin at NAIA nationals

‘We had some chances early’: Jaguars strand 8 runners in stunning loss to Ames

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Ankeny Centennial's magical season on the baseball diamond came to an end one week earlier than most people expected. The top-ranked Jaguars went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners on base in a stunning 5-1 loss to visiting Ames in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. "We had some chances early that we didn't capitalize … [Read more...] about ‘We had some chances early’: Jaguars strand 8 runners in stunning loss to Ames

‘It was a special night for Dowling’: Marso, Maroons top Ankeny in substate final

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Due to heavy rains overnight, the Dowling Catholic baseball team lost its home-field advantage against Ankeny in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The game was moved to a neutral site at Simpson College in Indianola, but the Maroons felt right at home on the infield turf. Seventh-ranked Dowling got a masterful pitching performance from Kaden … [Read more...] about ‘It was a special night for Dowling’: Marso, Maroons top Ankeny in substate final

Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team is headed back to Fort Dodge for the third time in four years. The top-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A state tournament with a 10-1 victory over visiting Ames in a regional final on Tuesday. The win allowed Centennial (33-5) to tie the school record for most victories in a season. "I'm very excited for this … [Read more...] about Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed

‘It’s our time right now’: Ankeny holds off Waukee, earns first trip to state since ’15

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The drought is finally over for the Ankeny softball team. The second-ranked Hawkettes held on for a 4-3 victory over No. 14 Waukee in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday, allowing them to qualify for state for the first time since 2015. "It feels great," said Ankeny shortstop Kendra Lewis. "I love this team so much. It's a great opportunity for us and … [Read more...] about ‘It’s our time right now’: Ankeny holds off Waukee, earns first trip to state since ’15

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Griess, Sandvig lead Hawks to substate rout over Ottumwa

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It didn't take long for Alex Griess and Ben Sandvig to set the tone Monday for the Ankeny baseball team. Griess quickly retired the first three batters of the game, Sandvig then hit the first of his three doubles to ignite a seven-run outburst in the bottom of the first, and the Hawks went on to beat visiting Ottumwa, 13-0, in five innings in a Class 4A … [Read more...] about DOUBLE TROUBLE: Griess, Sandvig lead Hawks to substate rout over Ottumwa