(Story by Stephen McDaniel) In a game where the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team found chance after chance to put the ball in the back of the net, it felt like it was just a matter of time until one went its way. Goals by junior Alen Mujakovic and senior Kai Byauunda in the second half finally powered the ninth-ranked Jaguars to a 2-0 victory over … [Read more...] about Goals by Mujakovic, Byauunda lift Jaguars to substate victory over Marshalltown
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‘We deserve it’: Ankeny boys roll past Cedar Falls behind Benge, Wahlberg
Cal Wahlberg and Landon Benge each scored a pair of goals to lead the Ankeny boys' soccer team to a 6-2 victory over visiting Cedar Falls in a Class 4A substate semifinal on a rainy Tuesday night. Austin Lundberg and Andrew Loder also found the net for the eighth-ranked Hawks, who matched their season-high of six goals in a win over Ames on April … [Read more...] about ‘We deserve it’: Ankeny boys roll past Cedar Falls behind Benge, Wahlberg
Petersen to resign as Centennial girls’ golf coach; Smith exits from AHS girls’ tennis
John Petersen and Steve Smith were both hired for head coaching positions in the Ankeny school district in the spring of 2019. Now, several years later, they are both departing at the same time. Petersen is planning to resign as the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf coach. He has yet to officially submit his resignation letter, but has told his golfers of … [Read more...] about Petersen to resign as Centennial girls’ golf coach; Smith exits from AHS girls’ tennis
Centennial is No. 2, Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A in first softball rankings of season
The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union released its first softball rankings of the season on Tuesday. Ankeny Centennial is No. 2 in Class 5A behind CIML Conference rival Waukee Northwest. The Jaguars will open their season on Tuesday night with a non-conference game at Norwalk, the No. 7 team in Class 4A. Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Centennial is No. 2, Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A in first softball rankings of season
Ankeny’s Victor, Weichers eliminated from boys’ Class 2A state doubles tournament
The Ankeny doubles team of Dylan Victor and Garrett Weichers was eliminated from the boys' Class 2A state tennis tournament on Tuesday at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City. Victor and Weichers opened the tournament with a 6-1, 6-4 loss to Brock Davis and Preston Haefner of Cedar Rapids Washington. The Hawks played their best tennis in … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Victor, Weichers eliminated from boys’ Class 2A state doubles tournament
‘We’ve played some good teams’: City High, C.R. Kennedy extend Hawks’ skid
The slow start has continued for the Ankeny baseball team. After dropping both games of a doubleheader against fifth-ranked Pleasant Valley on Thursday, the Hawks traveled to Cedar Rapids on Saturday to face two more ranked opponents. Ankeny dropped an 8-1 decision to Iowa City High, the No. 1 team in the preseason rankings. The Hawks then fell to 0-4 … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve played some good teams’: City High, C.R. Kennedy extend Hawks’ skid
‘I really like this team’: Jaguars knock off No. 9 C.R. Kennedy behind Morris, Arndt
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team split a pair of games on Saturday in Cedar Rapids. The Jaguars bounced back from a 5-3 loss to Bettendorf with a 3-1 victory over ninth-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy. "I really like this team," said Centennial coach Mark Hey, whose squad is now 2-1 on the season. "They grind every day whether it's a game or … [Read more...] about ‘I really like this team’: Jaguars knock off No. 9 C.R. Kennedy behind Morris, Arndt
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Morgan Fisher, Ankeny girls’ track
Morgan Fisher helped the Ankeny girls' track team to a fifth-place finish in the Class 4A state meet Thursday through Saturday at Drake Stadium. Fisher placed fourth in the 400 in 56.61 seconds and finished 11th in the 200 in 25.58. She also ran on the runner-up distance medley and fourth-place 4x400 relays. As she now makes the transition to the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Morgan Fisher, Ankeny girls’ track
‘I love these guys to death’: Ankeny boys overcome adversity to defend 4A crown
Landon Pote proudly held on to the Class 4A championship trophy as his teammates on the Ankeny boys' track squad crowded around him on the infield turf at Drake Stadium. The Hawks had just won a second consecutive state title on Saturday in emphatic fashion. "I asked God for three things: for high jump to go better than last year, for shuttle hurdle to … [Read more...] about ‘I love these guys to death’: Ankeny boys overcome adversity to defend 4A crown
‘This is what you work for all year’: Jackson wins 200, anchors Jaguars’ winning 4×100
The Ankeny boys' track team stole most of the headlines on Saturday in the Class 4A state meet. But Braeden Jackson and the Ankeny Centennial sprinters made plenty of noise, too. Jackson won a state title in the 200, anchored his team to another victory in the 4x100 relay, and led Centennial to a fourth-place finish in the team standings. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about ‘This is what you work for all year’: Jackson wins 200, anchors Jaguars’ winning 4×100
‘We could not be more proud’: Coaches praise efforts by Hawkettes, Jaguars
Senior Drew Beason and her Ankeny teammates left it all out on the track Saturday. Their crosstown rivals from Ankeny Centennial did the same. Both the Hawkettes and Jaguars walked away from the girls' Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium feeling good about what they accomplished. "We could not be more proud of this team and how they performed," … [Read more...] about ‘We could not be more proud’: Coaches praise efforts by Hawkettes, Jaguars
Several starters are back as Saladino takes over Hawkettes’ softball program
The move across the diamond to the third base coach's box has been a smooth one for Ankeny softball coach Sarah Saladino. Before taking over the Hawkettes' program last fall, Saladino had served as the assistant for coach Dave Bingham since 2019. She previously had been a head coach at Waterloo West for four years. "Overall, I think that it has been a … [Read more...] about Several starters are back as Saladino takes over Hawkettes’ softball program
Loaded Centennial squad embraces team-first mentality heading into season
Scoring runs likely won't be a problem this season for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. The Jaguars will again boast two of the state's top hitters in Jordyn Kennedy and Mady Ott. They led the team to a 29-10 record and a share of the CIML Conference title a year ago after playing key roles on Centennial's state championship squad in 2023. Those … [Read more...] about Loaded Centennial squad embraces team-first mentality heading into season
Jaguars defend state title in 4×200 relay, break all-time mark in 4×100 preliminaries
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Noah Ross, Robert McGhee, Caleb Reed and Braeden Jackson got their all-time state record, but just not the one they were on the hunt for. The Ankeny Centennial quartet was on the cusp of setting the all-time record in the 4x200 relay after becoming the second team in Iowa high school history to run a time that was sub-1:26 … [Read more...] about Jaguars defend state title in 4×200 relay, break all-time mark in 4×100 preliminaries
‘I’m super proud of this team’: Hawkettes earn runner-up finish in distance medley
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) As it turns out, the Ankeny grouping of Charlee Cibula, Lillian Buckley, Morgan Fisher and Makenna Madetzke make for a pretty good distance medley relay team. The Hawkettes were looking to follow up a strong Thursday showing that helped them hold the top spot in Class 4A after the first day of the girls' state track meet, … [Read more...] about ‘I’m super proud of this team’: Hawkettes earn runner-up finish in distance medley
‘Tip of the cap to Pleasant Valley’: No. 5 Spartans sweep doubleheader at Ankeny
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The 2025 baseball season hasn’t gotten off to the most ideal start for the Ankeny Hawks. After having two different delays earlier in the week, the Hawks officially opened the year with an 0-2 record after falling 13-0 and 5-0 in a doubleheader against visiting Pleasant Valley on Thursday. The Spartans are No. 5 in the Class … [Read more...] about ‘Tip of the cap to Pleasant Valley’: No. 5 Spartans sweep doubleheader at Ankeny
Hawks defend their crown in 4×800 relay, score points in 3 other events to take lead
The Ankeny boys' quest for a second consecutive Class 4A track championship got off to a good start Thursday at Drake Stadium. The Hawks defended their title in the 4x800 relay, scored points in three other events and set a meet record in the preliminaries of the shuttle hurdle relay on the opening day of the coed state meet. Those efforts allowed … [Read more...] about Hawks defend their crown in 4×800 relay, score points in 3 other events to take lead
Hanfelt captures state title in high jump; Hawkettes take early lead in 4A team race
Ankeny's Reagan Hanfelt finally made it to the top of the awards podium. The senior won a Class 4A title in the high jump during the opening day of the coed state track meet on Thursday at Drake Stadium. She had tied for third twice and placed second in the event in the previous three years. "It feels amazing," said Hanfelt. "I just trusted my mom … [Read more...] about Hanfelt captures state title in high jump; Hawkettes take early lead in 4A team race
Smith earns No. 1 seed for 2A singles, could meet Peterson in quarterfinals
The pairings for next week's boys' and girls' state tennis tournaments have been announced. Ankeny's Kira Smith is the No. 1 seed for the girls' Class 2A singles tournament, which will be held on Friday and Saturday at Iowa City. She will face Addison King of Cedar Falls in the opening round. Smith could potentially meet Ankeny Centennial's Samara … [Read more...] about Smith earns No. 1 seed for 2A singles, could meet Peterson in quarterfinals
Jaguars romp to 12-2 victory over No. 3 Dallas Center-Grimes to open season
The wait was worth it for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The Jaguars, who had a doubleheader at Des Moines Roosevelt rained out on Monday, opened their season on Thursday with a 12-2 victory over visiting Dallas Center-Grimes. The non-conference game was halted after six innings due to the 10-run mercy rule. The Mustangs (1-2) are third in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp to 12-2 victory over No. 3 Dallas Center-Grimes to open season