Ankeny Centennial seniors Gabby Mixdorf, Addie Pollock and Anna Sash have been named to the academic all-state volleyball team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. They are the first players from Ankeny or Centennial to be selected to the squad since 2019. An athlete must be a senior and meet two of the following three criteria to earn academic … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Mixdorf, Pollock, Sash earn academic all-state volleyball honors
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‘I was fighting for my team’: Sash leads Centennial past Hawkettes in thriller
It's a shame that one team had to lose in the Jag-Hawk matchup at the state volleyball tournament on Monday. Both squads played well enough to win the Class 5A quarterfinal at Xtream Arena in Coralville. In the end, second-ranked Ankeny Centennial held on for a 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 14-25, 15-12 victory over No. 7 Ankeny, which nearly overcame a huge … [Read more...] about ‘I was fighting for my team’: Sash leads Centennial past Hawkettes in thriller
‘That was a tough match’: Jaguars outlast Ankeny to advance to Class 5A semifinals
Monday's Jag-Hawk rematch in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state volleyball tournament lived up to the pre-match hype. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial held off a furious rally by No. 7 Ankeny to post a 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 14-25, 15-12 victory at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. The Jaguars (31-6) will play No. 3 Waukee Northwest or No. 6 Cedar Falls … [Read more...] about ‘That was a tough match’: Jaguars outlast Ankeny to advance to Class 5A semifinals
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Trenton Smith, Centennial football
Senior quarterback Trenton Smith helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 35-7 victory at No. 4 Waukee Northwest in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs on Friday. He completed 11-of-14 passes for 116 yards and a 30-yard touchdown toss to Braeden Jackson on the team's opening possession. For the season, Smith has connected on 116-of-171 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Trenton Smith, Centennial football
State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
The state volleyball tournament gets under way on Monday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. We already know that at least one team from Ankeny will advance to the Class 5A semifinals on Wednesday. Ankeny will face Ankeny Centennial in one of the four quarterfinal matchups. The tournament kicks off at noon on Court One, where Dowling Catholic will meet … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
Zuber races to Class 4A individual crown, leads Hawks to repeat 3rd-place finish
Ethan Zuber made a promise to Ankeny boys' cross country coach Jon Lindaman a year ago that he would become a Class 4A state champion in 2023. The junior delivered on that promise Friday at the Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge.The second-ranked Zuber pulled away from No. 3 Jaden Merrick of Cedar Falls in the final mile to win the 5k race in a time of 15 … [Read more...] about Zuber races to Class 4A individual crown, leads Hawks to repeat 3rd-place finish
Hawkettes place 7th, Jaguars finish 9th in Class 4A; Beason, Mohrhauser lead way
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country teams have had some close battles all season. The two squads had another one on Friday in the Class 4A state meet at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. Eighth-ranked Ankeny placed seventh in the 15-team field for the second straight year, finishing with 186 points. No. 5 Centennial took ninth with … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 7th, Jaguars finish 9th in Class 4A; Beason, Mohrhauser lead way
‘We were just mentally stronger’: Hawks oust Johnston, earn shot at No. 2 Dowling
(Story by Gabe Ploeger) Late into the fourth quarter, in the moment where it mattered most, the Ankeny Hawks secured their ticket to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A football playoffs. With only 2 minutes to go, the Hawks held a 14-9 lead over visiting Johnston and had the ball at the Dragons' 32-yard line, but faced a crucial third down. All … [Read more...] about ‘We were just mentally stronger’: Hawks oust Johnston, earn shot at No. 2 Dowling
‘Our kids rose to the occasion’: Jaguars dominate Waukee NW in playoff rematch
(Story by Rob Gray) From the first snap, Ankeny Centennial just looked different. The underdog Jaguars strode into Friday’s Class 5A playoff matchup at No. 4 Waukee Northwest with a spring in their step and a thirst for revenge in their roster-wide heart. “We’ve had the juice since Monday,” said Centennial running back Elijah Porter, who rushed for … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids rose to the occasion’: Jaguars dominate Waukee NW in playoff rematch
Eagles return to state with sweep over Riverside, will face Newell-Fonda next
The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team will take a 26-match winning streak into next week's state tournament. The top-ranked Eagles advanced to state with a 25-19, 25-18, 25-12 victory over Riverside in a Class 1A regional final on Wednesday at Van Meter. They raised their record to 36-3, while Riverside ends the season at 27-11. "We accomplished … [Read more...] about Eagles return to state with sweep over Riverside, will face Newell-Fonda next
‘Ultimately, I went with my heart’: Ankeny junior to play softball at South Dakota
Ankeny junior Aubrey Lensmeyer has verbally committed to play softball at South Dakota. Lensmeyer announced her decision via social media on Wednesday. "It was probably the hardest decision I have ever had to make," said Lensmeyer. "I kept going back and forth, and it took me a while to really figure out exactly what I wanted. Ultimately, I went with … [Read more...] about ‘Ultimately, I went with my heart’: Ankeny junior to play softball at South Dakota
‘Unfinished business’: Hawkettes qualify for state, get rematch vs. Centennial
The Ankeny volleyball team got the rematch that many of the Hawkettes wanted. After sweeping visiting Iowa City Liberty in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday, seventh-ranked Ankeny will face No. 2 Ankeny Centennial in the quarterfinals of the state tournament on Monday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, beginning at 12:25 p.m. "I would love to go against … [Read more...] about ‘Unfinished business’: Hawkettes qualify for state, get rematch vs. Centennial
‘We knew what we had to do’: Jaguars sweep C.B. Lincoln, advance to state
With a trip to the state tournament on the line, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball players didn't feel any pressure. The Jaguars simply knew what they had to do. Second-ranked Centennial rolled to a 25-17, 25-10, 25-15 victory over No. 15 Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. The Jaguars (30-6) advanced to the … [Read more...] about ‘We knew what we had to do’: Jaguars sweep C.B. Lincoln, advance to state
Eagles pound 22 aces in sweep over Mormon Trail, advance to regional final
The Mormon Trail volleyball team had already played top-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy twice this season. But even though the Saints knew what to expect, there was little that they could do to stop the defending state champions. The host Eagles hit .418 on the night and pounded 22 aces in a 25-6, 25-15, 25-10 victory over Mormon Trail in a Class 1A … [Read more...] about Eagles pound 22 aces in sweep over Mormon Trail, advance to regional final
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Riese Gjerde, Ankeny Christian volleyball
Senior libero Riese Gjerde has helped the top-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team to a 34-3 record. She had 11 digs on Wednesday as the Eagles swept visiting Twin Cedars in a Class 1A regional quarterfinal. Gjerde leads the team with 264 digs. She has also contributed 18 aces. Gjerde surpassed the 700-dig career mark earlier this season. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Riese Gjerde, Ankeny Christian volleyball
Ankeny swimmers edge Valley for 3rd place at CIML Conference meet
The Ankeny girls' swimming team is hoping to peak at the end of the season. Saturday's CIML Conference meet at Johnston, which featured five of the state's top six teams, was a good place to start. Fifth-ranked Ankeny placed third in the six-team field with 283.5 points. The Hawkettes edged No. 6 Valley by a half-point for third place. "We had a … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers edge Valley for 3rd place at CIML Conference meet
Rematch Friday: Hawks to host Johnston, while Jaguars travel to Waukee NW
The pairings are set for the Class 5A football playoffs. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial are slated to face familiar opponents. The seventh-ranked Hawks (6-3) will host No. 10 Johnston (5-4) on Friday at 7 p.m. It's a rematch of a game from Sept. 15 that Ankeny won, 16-10. The two teams also met in last year's playoffs. The Dragons posted a 23-13 … [Read more...] about Rematch Friday: Hawks to host Johnston, while Jaguars travel to Waukee NW
‘We executed on all levels’: Jaguars thump Urbandale, earn trip to playoffs
The Class 5A playoffs have already started for the Ankeny Centennial football team. In a do-or-die game between two opponents with identical 4-4 records, the 14th-ranked Jaguars punched their ticket to the postseason with a convincing 41-3 victory at No. 19 Urbandale on Friday. "It feels really good," said Centennial tight end Chase Schutty. "We needed … [Read more...] about ‘We executed on all levels’: Jaguars thump Urbandale, earn trip to playoffs
Hawks roll into playoffs with 49-19 win over C.R. Washington, improve to 6-3
The Ankeny football team took care of business on Friday. The eighth-ranked Hawks not only rolled to a 49-19 victory over visiting Cedar Rapids Washington in their regular-season finale, but they jumped out to a big early lead that allowed coach Jeff Bauer to rest some of his starters for the Class 5A playoffs. "It was good to let some of the … [Read more...] about Hawks roll into playoffs with 49-19 win over C.R. Washington, improve to 6-3
‘I have heard only great things’: Ankeny’s Hensen to play golf at Iowa State
Ankeny golfer Drew Hensen could have elected to play in college for a school in a warmer climate. Instead, he decided to stay close to home. Hensen has verbally committed to play for Iowa State. He announced his decision via social media on Friday. "Excited to announce that I have committed to continue my golf and academic career at Iowa State … [Read more...] about ‘I have heard only great things’: Ankeny’s Hensen to play golf at Iowa State