Coming off its worst loss of the season, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team rebounded in a big way. The fifth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 29-4 lead in the first quarter and went on to defeat visiting Burke (Neb.), 70-36, in a non-conference game on Friday. "We got off to a great start," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana, whose team had … [Read more...] about ‘We got off to a great start’: Jaguars jump out to 29-4 lead, romp past Burke (Neb.)
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HAPPY HOMECOMING: Wignall guides Hawks to 72-6 victory at Knoxville
Thursday's trip to Knoxville was a sentimental one for Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall. Wignall, who spent a lot of time in Knoxville while growing up in southern Iowa, guided the fourth-ranked Hawks to a 72-6 victory in the non-conference dual meet. "We had a good time," said Wignall. "It was good to see my family there. They hadn't seen me coach … [Read more...] about HAPPY HOMECOMING: Wignall guides Hawks to 72-6 victory at Knoxville
Jaguars rout Dowling on Senior Night, reach 20 wins for 3rd time under Groth
It was a memorable Senior Night for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers on Thursday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars recorded six pins and rolled to a 57-22 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic in a CIML Conference dual meet. "We wrestled well," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "I thought all of our guys went out there and fought." Prior to the meet, … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Dowling on Senior Night, reach 20 wins for 3rd time under Groth
Jaguars avenge loss to No. 4 Valley, move into 3rd-place tie with Tigers
When the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team suffered a loss at Valley last month, the Jaguars were held to a season-low 40 points. On Tuesday night, that same offensive output was enough to produce a 40-34 victory in a rematch between the two teams at Centennial. "Valley's been a top-five team all year long," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. … [Read more...] about Jaguars avenge loss to No. 4 Valley, move into 3rd-place tie with Tigers
‘We couldn’t have responded any better’: Ankeny girls take down No. 1 DC-G
The Ankeny girls' basketball team entered Tuesday's non-conference game against visiting Dallas Center-Grimes with a .500 mark. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes showed that their record is deceiving. Ankeny had four players in double figures and rolled to a 61-44 victory over the Fillies, who are ranked No. 1 in Class 4A. "It was a good win," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘We couldn’t have responded any better’: Ankeny girls take down No. 1 DC-G
‘Our guys were poised and made some big plays’: Hawks hold on to beat DC-G
There was no letdown for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Four days after knocking off third-ranked Waukee in a stunning upset, the Hawks were back on the court Tuesday and posted a 63-58 victory over visiting Dallas Center-Grimes in a non-conference game. Ankeny improved its record to 5-9. The Mustangs dropped to 7-4. "It feels good obviously just … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys were poised and made some big plays’: Hawks hold on to beat DC-G
Bondurant-Farrar tops Ankeny bowling teams in non-conference matchup
The Ankeny bowling teams both lost to Bondurant-Farrar in a non-conference dual meet on Tuesday at Great Escape, which serves as the home venue for both schools. The Bluejays won the boys' meet by a score of 2,832 to 2,716. They won the girls' meet by a score of 2,154 to 1,944. The two Bondurant-Farrar squads are now a combined 13-3 on the … [Read more...] about Bondurant-Farrar tops Ankeny bowling teams in non-conference matchup
Ankeny girls rack up 26 pins, crown 5 champs en route to CIML team title
During the regular season, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team went undefeated against the other schools in the CIML Conference. On Tuesday, Ankeny defeated those teams again to win the CIML individual tournament at Valley. It crowned five champions and racked up 230 points, 13 more than runner-up Raccoon River Northwest. Southeast Polk placed third in … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rack up 26 pins, crown 5 champs en route to CIML team title
‘They’re playing at a very high level’: Tigers race past Centennial in 2nd half
Tuesday's showdown at Ankeny Centennial was a battle for third place in the CIML Conference boys' basketball standings. Fourth-ranked Valley turned the game into a rout. The Tigers closed out the third quarter with a 21-4 run to build a 65-44 advantage and went on to defeat No. 5 Centennial, 83-55. They shot 64.8 percent from the field (35-of-54) while … [Read more...] about ‘They’re playing at a very high level’: Tigers race past Centennial in 2nd half
Hawks crown trio of champs at Sharp Invite, place 2nd overall behind W-SR
With three individual champions, the Ankeny wrestling team earned a runner-up finish in the Bob Sharp Invitational on Saturday at Ankeny. The fifth-ranked Hawks racked up 234 points in the 10-team tournament. Waverly-Shell Rock captured the team title with 267.5 points. "We were hoping to win it," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "But we lost a couple … [Read more...] about Hawks crown trio of champs at Sharp Invite, place 2nd overall behind W-SR
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Owen Schwebach, Ankeny boys’ swimming
Junior Owen Schwebach is one of the top swimmers on the fourth-ranked Ankeny boys' swimming team. He won two individual events and also anchored the winning 200 freestyle relay as the Hawks posted a 90-80 victory at No. 5 Linn-Mar (Marion) on Saturday to finish the dual-meet season with an overall record of 4-3-1. Schwebach is currently ranked fifth in … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Owen Schwebach, Ankeny boys’ swimming
Engebretson, Bishop win titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Sharp Invite
Ankeny girls' wrestling coach Dustin Roland was happy with his team's first-place finish in the Bob Sharp Invitational on Saturday at Southview Middle School. But he still wants more from his squad. "It wasn't our best outing, but we were able to edge Mason City for the team title," Roland said. "We won most of the matches we should have, but dropped … [Read more...] about Engebretson, Bishop win titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Sharp Invite
Centennial wrestlers beat Humboldt to earn 3rd-place finish at Osage Duals
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers earned a third-place finish in the Osage Duals on Saturday. After going 2-2 during the preliminary rounds, the eighth-ranked Jaguars posted a 39-30 victory over Humboldt in the third-place match. They are now 19-5 on the season. "We had a little bit of a letdown after our big win over Johnston (on Thursday)," said … [Read more...] about Centennial wrestlers beat Humboldt to earn 3rd-place finish at Osage Duals
Hawk swimmers edge Linn-Mar in battle of top-5 teams, finish 4-3-1 in duals
Saturday's non-conference dual meet at Linn-Mar (Marion) was a good test for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. The fourth-ranked Hawks, who will return to eastern Iowa in four weeks for the state meet, earned perhaps their biggest win of the season with a 90-80 victory over No. 5 Linn-Mar. They finished the dual-meet schedule with an overall record to … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers edge Linn-Mar in battle of top-5 teams, finish 4-3-1 in duals
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)
For several months, Ankeny Fanatic has been contacting the members of its all-time Ankeny football team to get a reaction from some of the players, as well as stories and favorite memories from their high school careers. One former Ankeny standout responded with a poem that he wrote. Ross Naylor entitled it, "Pezzetti's Proposal", in honor of his … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)
‘We all knew we could win’: Hawks pull off stunning upset over No. 3 Waukee
Ankeny's Maddox Ward blew a kiss to the Waukee students as the final seconds ticked off the clock. The senior guard made a pair of late 3-point goals to lift the Hawks to a stunning 56-51 upset over third-ranked Waukee in a CIML Conference boys' basketball game on Friday at Ankeny. "It feels great," said Ward, who scored all 11 of his points in the … [Read more...] about ‘We all knew we could win’: Hawks pull off stunning upset over No. 3 Waukee
Waukee girls win seesaw battle against Ankeny, despite Gage’s career-high 29
In the rugged CIML Conference, even an unranked team like Waukee could be a threat to make a deep run in the girls' basketball postseason. The Warriors showed how dangerous they could potentially be on Friday, when they posted a 69-58 victory at 13th-ranked Ankeny. They avenged an earlier 46-42 loss to the Hawkettes. "They did a really good job of … [Read more...] about Waukee girls win seesaw battle against Ankeny, despite Gage’s career-high 29
‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys bounce back from loss to beat J-Hawks
The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team missed an opportunity to make up some ground in the CIML Conference when Waukee Northwest lost to Valley on Tuesday--because the Jaguars also lost at Dowling Catholic. Centennial took advantage of another opportunity Friday when league leader Waukee lost at Ankeny. This time, the fourth-ranked Jaguars posted … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good road win’: Centennial boys bounce back from loss to beat J-Hawks
With a chip on their shoulder, Jaguars romp to 77-28 victory at Urbandale
Each time the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team has suffered a loss this season, the Jaguars have bounced back with a resounding victory. Seventh-ranked Centennial did it again on Friday with a 77-28 win at Urbandale. The Jaguars are now 4-0 in games after a loss--with an average winning margin of 35.8 points. "You hope when you're coming off a … [Read more...] about With a chip on their shoulder, Jaguars romp to 77-28 victory at Urbandale
Hawks stay perfect in CIML Conference with victories over Valley, Dowling
With two more victories on Thursday, the Ankeny wrestling team has put itself in position to win the CIML Conference dual-meet championship. The fourth-ranked Hawks posted a 42-23 win at No. 5 Valley in the opener of a triangular meet. They then followed with a 46-30 triumph over Dowling Catholic. Ankeny raised its records to 7-0 in the conference and … [Read more...] about Hawks stay perfect in CIML Conference with victories over Valley, Dowling