When its crosstown rival started to take control of Tuesday's match, the Ankeny volleyball team turned to Jesa Wallace for a pep talk. The senior setter sparked the second-ranked Hawkettes to a four-set victory over No. 5 Ankeny Centennial. "Jesa gave us a little pep talk and told us that we need to focus in and play more together instead of separate, … [Read more...] about Wallace’s pep talk ignites No. 2 Ankeny to four-set victory over No. 5 Centennial
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Hodapp advances to state meet, but Ankeny golfers miss qualifying by 1 shot
Ankeny sophomore Evan Hodapp has qualified for the boys' Class 4A state golf meet this weekend at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids. Unfortunately, the rest of the Hawks came up just short of earning a trip as well. Ankeny placed fourth among 13 teams in a district meet on Tuesday at Bent Tree Golf Club in Council Bluffs. The 12th-ranked Hawks shot … [Read more...] about Hodapp advances to state meet, but Ankeny golfers miss qualifying by 1 shot
‘Sioux Falls always stood out to me’: Riesberg to play softball for Cougars
Another Ankeny softball player has made her college plans. And a few more could be making their decisions soon. Senior outfielder Rylee Riesberg has committed to play for the University of Sioux Falls. Former Ankeny star Kennedy Thomas is currently a senior on the Cougars' roster. "I looked at several schools, but the University of Sioux Falls … [Read more...] about ‘Sioux Falls always stood out to me’: Riesberg to play softball for Cougars
‘It wasn’t in the cards for us’: Jaguars fall 3 strokes short of state meet berth
The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team knew what it needed to do on Monday. The 14th-ranked Jaguars needed to beat No. 7 Dowling Catholic in a Class 4A district meet in order to qualify for state, but they came up three strokes short at Blank Golf Course in Des Moines. The Maroons placed third in the 13-team field with a 314, while Centennial shot a … [Read more...] about ‘It wasn’t in the cards for us’: Jaguars fall 3 strokes short of state meet berth
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jesa Wallace, Ankeny volleyball
Senior setter Jesa Wallace has helped the second-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a 25-4 record. She currently ranks second in the entire state with 747 assists. Wallace had 55 assists on Tuesday as the Hawkettes rallied from a 2-1 deficit on the road to beat then-No. 5 Waukee Northwest in five sets. The William Jewell recruit also had six digs in the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jesa Wallace, Ankeny volleyball
Jaguars gear up for showdown at Ankeny after placing 2nd at Urbandale Invite
There's no time to rest for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. Not with a showdown at second-ranked Ankeny coming up on Tuesday. After placing second in the Urbandale Invitational on Saturday, the No. 5 Jaguars are going back into the gym on Sunday to prepare for their crosstown rival. "Overall, we were happy with the results, but we were … [Read more...] about Jaguars gear up for showdown at Ankeny after placing 2nd at Urbandale Invite
AIR RAID?: Jaguars ride Smith’s 4 TD passes to 28-23 win at No. 6 Urbandale
The identity of the Ankeny Centennial football program appears to be changing. Traditionally known as a power running team, the Jaguars have now evolved into a dangerous passing squad--somewhat out of necessity. With standout junior running back Elijah Porter sidelined by an injury, quarterback Trenton Smith took over on Friday and passed for four … [Read more...] about AIR RAID?: Jaguars ride Smith’s 4 TD passes to 28-23 win at No. 6 Urbandale
Hawks’ big defensive stand, late scoring drive clinch 34-24 victory over Valley
A huge defensive stand and a late scoring drive allowed the Ankeny football team to post a 34-24 victory over visiting Valley on Friday. The third-ranked Hawks allowed just three points in the second half while raising their record to 5-1 on the season. The Tigers dropped to 3-3. "That was a big one," said Ankeny defensive back Ben Sandvig. "We just … [Read more...] about Hawks’ big defensive stand, late scoring drive clinch 34-24 victory over Valley
Quass earns 1st career win, leads Jaguars to runner-up finish; ACHS boys place 4th
Although its winning streak came to an end, the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team still enjoyed a successful meet on Thursday. The fourth-ranked Jaguars placed second among eight teams in the Bud Williams Invitational at Iowa City. They finished with 47 points. "We had an outstanding day of racing after a terrific week of training!" said … [Read more...] about Quass earns 1st career win, leads Jaguars to runner-up finish; ACHS boys place 4th
Ankeny swimmers rack up season-high 3,325 power points in loss to No. 4 Ames
Some of the schools that left the Central Iowa Metropolitan League were hoping to be more competitive in the new Alliance Conference. A few of the individual teams, though, were already very competitive--such as the Ames girls' swimming squad. The Little Cyclones won nine state titles in a span of 11 years before placing second behind Waukee at last … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers rack up season-high 3,325 power points in loss to No. 4 Ames
Jaguars get back to full strength, place 7th at conference; Hawks finish 8th
For the first time in nearly a month, the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team put its best lineup back together for the CIML Conference meet on Wednesday at Willow Creek. The Jaguars posted a total of 304, their best score in the last five meets, but it was only good enough for a seventh-place finish in the competitive nine-team field. Six schools finished … [Read more...] about Jaguars get back to full strength, place 7th at conference; Hawks finish 8th
‘Let’s get this done!’: Jaguars close out Johnston with 25-7 rout in Set 4
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball players didn't want to go to a fifth set on Tuesday. A dominant fourth set made sure that they didn't have to. After letting the third set slip away, the sixth-ranked Jaguars regrouped and rolled to a 25-22, 25-22, 24-26, 25-7 victory over No. 8 Johnston in a CIML Conference match at the Centennial gym. "After the … [Read more...] about ‘Let’s get this done!’: Jaguars close out Johnston with 25-7 rout in Set 4
‘I knew we could pull through’: Hawkettes rally for five-set victory at Waukee NW
The Ankeny volleyball team just keeps finding ways to win. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes moved into sole possession of first place in the CIML Conference with a thrilling five-set victory at No. 5 Waukee Northwest on Tuesday. After dropping two of the first three sets, Ankeny rallied for a 13-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23, 15-9 win over the Wolves. "You … [Read more...] about ‘I knew we could pull through’: Hawkettes rally for five-set victory at Waukee NW
Ankeny teams turn in strong showings at Rim Rock Farm Classic in Kansas
Saturday's Rim Rock Farm Classic at the University of Kansas gave both of Ankeny's cross country teams an opportunity to prove themselves against out-of-state competition. The Hawks and Hawkettes passed the test with flying (maroon and gold) colors. The Ankeny girls' squad took second among 32 teams in the Crimson Division. The 11th-ranked Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Ankeny teams turn in strong showings at Rim Rock Farm Classic in Kansas
Ankeny swimmers place 3rd in 6 events, finish 3rd overall at Tiger Tanker Invite
The Ankeny girls' swimming team had six third-place finishes and also placed third overall in the Tiger Tanker Invitational on Saturday at Valley. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes scored 297 points in the nine-team meet. They finished 36.5 points ahead of No. 7 Valley after losing to the Tigers in a dual meet, 95-91, on Thursday in the same pool. No. 1 … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers place 3rd in 6 events, finish 3rd overall at Tiger Tanker Invite
Ankeny’s Palmer commits to play softball at Iowa Central Community College
Ankeny senior Kennedy Palmer has verbally committed to play softball at Iowa Central Community College. Palmer said the junior college route was the best way for her to go to reach her goals. "Playing for two years and then hopefully being able to go to a bigger school is a goal of mine which is why I thought this would be a good fit for me," said … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Palmer commits to play softball at Iowa Central Community College
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: AJ Schermerhorn, ACHS boys’ cross country
Junior AJ Schermerhorn led the Ankeny boys' cross country team to an eighth-place finish in the Indianola Invitational on Thursday at Pickard Park. He placed third in the 5k race with a time of 16 minutes 10 seconds. Schermerhorn, who is ranked in the top 10 of Class 4A as an individual, has been the Jaguars' top finisher at all five meets this season. He … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: AJ Schermerhorn, ACHS boys’ cross country
‘It felt so good to be back there’: Patton helps Hawks to victory over Roosevelt
Jamison Patton felt right at home on Friday night at Drake Stadium. So did his Ankeny football teammates. Patton caught four passes for 37 yards against his former team as the third-ranked Hawks built a 28-0 lead and went on to post a 35-18 victory over host Des Moines Roosevelt. He played for the Roughriders last season before transferring to … [Read more...] about ‘It felt so good to be back there’: Patton helps Hawks to victory over Roosevelt
Jaguars hand No. 6 Sioux City East its first loss on Wiener’s late field goal, 31-28
A drizzling rain couldn't put a damper on Ankeny Centennial's homecoming football game. Cael Wiener booted an 18-yard field goal with 58 seconds left to give the 10th-ranked Jaguars a 31-28 victory over No. 6 Sioux City East on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "I was very confident I was going to make it," said Wiener, who had earlier converted all four of … [Read more...] about Jaguars hand No. 6 Sioux City East its first loss on Wiener’s late field goal, 31-28
Hawkettes survive five-set thriller vs. Dowling, even season series at 2-2
Parker Olson stepped behind the service line with a chance to put an end to Thursday's marathon volleyball match against visiting Dowling Catholic. The Ankeny senior didn't let the opportunity go to waste. Olson served an ace for the final point to give the fourth-ranked Hawkettes a 25-10, 25-22, 23-25, 24-26, 15-12 victory over No. 3 Dowling in a CIML … [Read more...] about Hawkettes survive five-set thriller vs. Dowling, even season series at 2-2