The Ankeny Centennial softball team showed on Tuesday that it has the potential to make some noise in next week's Class 5A regional tournament. The Jaguars also showed that they still have a ways to go. Centennial jumped out to a 7-1 lead against ninth-ranked Valley in the second game of a CIML Central Conference doubleheader before the visiting Tigers … [Read more...] about Valley erupts for 8 runs in 5th inning to complete sweep of Jaguars
Chloe Olson
Olson hits 3 homers as Jaguars complete sweep over Lincoln
For much of the season, Ankeny Centennial slugger Chloe Olson has struggled to find her groove at the plate. She appears to have found it. Olson slugged three home runs and had seven RBIs as the Jaguars rolled to a 14-2 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in three innings to complete a sweep of a non-conference softball doubleheader on … [Read more...] about Olson hits 3 homers as Jaguars complete sweep over Lincoln
Jaguars top Norwalk twice, earn 3rd-place finish in Elite Eight tournament
The Ankeny Centennial softball team defeated Norwalk for the second time in two days, 6-1, to earn a third-place finish in the Barney Dennis Elite Eight tournament on Saturday at Johnston. Taylor Runchey drove in four runs as the Jaguars improved their record to 12-10. Ella Schulz and Cassi Garland each went 2-for-3 in the win. "Norwalk pitched their … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Norwalk twice, earn 3rd-place finish in Elite Eight tournament
Jaguars earn culture-building sweep over No. 4 Waukee
Randy Schneider has been saying for weeks that his Ankeny Centennial softball team is capable of beating some of the CIML's top squads. The Jaguars not only did that on Wednesday, but they did it twice. Centennial swept both games of a Central Conference doubleheader against visiting Waukee, 5-4 and 7-5. The fourth-ranked Warriors had won the previous … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn culture-building sweep over No. 4 Waukee
Jaguars knock off Class 4A No. 4 ADM, finish 2-2 at tournament
The Ankeny Centennial softball team is embracing its tough early-season schedule. The Jaguars played three more ranked opponents at the ADM Invitational on Friday and Saturday. They went 2-2 at the tournament and are now 5-7 on the season with three one-run losses while playing nine ranked teams in their first 12 games. "We love our schedule," said … [Read more...] about Jaguars knock off Class 4A No. 4 ADM, finish 2-2 at tournament
New Centennial softball coach wants Jaguars to ‘keep applying pressure’ on basepaths
For the first time since the 1990s, Randy Schneider is calling pitches from the dugout. The new head coach of the Ankeny Centennial softball team is enjoying his return to the high school game after spending most of his career in the collegiate ranks, where he was primarily an offensive coach. "I really haven't sat and called pitches in 20-some years," … [Read more...] about New Centennial softball coach wants Jaguars to ‘keep applying pressure’ on basepaths
Unbeaten S.E. Polk holds off Centennial rally to sweep doubleheader
A late rally fell short, and the Ankeny Centennial softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against visiting Southeast Polk on Thursday. After Southeast Polk posted a 6-2 victory in the first game, the Rams built a 4-1 lead in the nightcap of the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams. The Jaguars then rallied for two runs in the bottom of … [Read more...] about Unbeaten S.E. Polk holds off Centennial rally to sweep doubleheader
McCullough, Olson earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association
Ankeny's Sara McCullough and Ankeny Centennial's Chloe Olson have received all-state basketball honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. McCullough, a junior forward, was named to the Class 5A second team. She averaged 16.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while leading the Hawkettes to an 11-12 record, their best season since the split into two … [Read more...] about McCullough, Olson earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chloe Olson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
Chloe Olson is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The senior forward helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 19-4 record this season. Olson averaged a team-high 12.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for the Jaguars. She made 51.3 percent of her shots from the field. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Chloe Olson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
McCullough, Olson named to Ankeny Fanatic’s all-CIML second team
Although Monday was a rough day for the CIML at the girls' state basketball tournament, the 18-team conference still boasts some of the best talent in the state. And much of that talent will be coming back next year. Four of the five players named to Ankeny Fanatic's all-CIML first team are underclassmen. Four of the five second-team players … [Read more...] about McCullough, Olson named to Ankeny Fanatic’s all-CIML second team
Jaguars’ 10-game winning streak ends with loss to Valley in regional final
This wasn't the same Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team that was riding a 10-game winning streak. It certainly wasn't the same Valley squad that had lost six consecutive games earlier this season. The 12th-ranked Tigers used a 25-point fourth quarter to post a 58-44 victory in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at No. 5 Centennial. The game was … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ 10-game winning streak ends with loss to Valley in regional final
Olson, Wycoff, McCullough earn all-district honors
Seniors Chloe Olson and Sydney Wycoff of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the Class 5A West all-district girls' basketball team along with junior Sara McCullough of Ankeny. The all-district teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Olson, a forward, has led the Jaguars to a 19-3 record and a No. 5 ranking in Class 5A. She leads the … [Read more...] about Olson, Wycoff, McCullough earn all-district honors
Valley’s Young, Dowling’s Clark to provide huge tests for Jaguars, Hawkettes
In order to reach the state tournament, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball teams will both have to figure out a way to slow down one of the nation's top players. The fifth-ranked Jaguars (19-3) will host No. 12 Valley (12-10) in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at 7 p.m. It will be a matchup of the last two state champions--Centennial … [Read more...] about Valley’s Young, Dowling’s Clark to provide huge tests for Jaguars, Hawkettes
Centennial girls fight off pesky Urbandale squad, will host Valley next
Survive and advance. That's what it's all about for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team at this time of the year. The fifth-ranked Jaguars fought off a pesky Urbandale squad to post a 52-39 victory in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday at Centennial. The win was the 10th in a row for Centennial (19-3), but it didn't come … [Read more...] about Centennial girls fight off pesky Urbandale squad, will host Valley next
Strong finish allows Jaguars to capture CIML Central Conference crown
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
Centennial girls shake off slow start, beat Dodgers for 8th straight win
It took awhile for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to take control of Tuesday's game at Fort Dodge. The fifth-ranked Jaguars trailed in the second quarter, 19-16, before scoring the last nine points of the half. They then used a 24-4 run in the third quarter to pull away for a 62-41 victory in a CIML non-conference game. "We kind of had a … [Read more...] about Centennial girls shake off slow start, beat Dodgers for 8th straight win
Hot-shooting Jaguars give DeJong his 600th career coaching victory
Fans of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team came prepared to celebrate on Friday night. The Jaguars' faithful held up signs to congratulate coach Scott DeJong on his 600th career victory following his team's 53-25 win at Ames. Afterwards, DeJong shared the achievement with his players and assistant coaches. "It just means we've had a lot of … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Jaguars give DeJong his 600th career coaching victory
Centennial girls rally past East in OT, celebrate Senior Night with victory
Down by seven points with less than 4 minutes left to play, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team was in danger of suffering a rare home-court loss on its Senior Night. But Chloe Olson refused to let it happen. The senior forward scored four points down the stretch to help force overtime, then added a pair of free throws in the extra period as … [Read more...] about Centennial girls rally past East in OT, celebrate Senior Night with victory
Centennial girls dominate second half, pull away from Hawkettes
The Ankeny girls' basketball team used a strong defensive effort to build a 16-13 halftime lead at Ankeny Centennial on Friday. In the second half, the Jaguars' defense was even better. Seventh-ranked Centennial held the No. 15 Hawkettes to just five points in the final two quarters while pulling away for a 39-21 victory. The Jaguars improved their … [Read more...] about Centennial girls dominate second half, pull away from Hawkettes
Ankeny teams enter Friday’s rematch at Centennial with plenty of confidence
If Friday's basketball doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial is as entertaining as last month's rivalry games at Ankeny, then fans of the Hawks and Jaguars will be in for a treat. Both the girls' and boys' games came down to the last possession on Dec. 21, when Centennial posted a pair of narrow wins. The Jaguars escaped with a 43-41 victory in the opener as … [Read more...] about Ankeny teams enter Friday’s rematch at Centennial with plenty of confidence