All the ingredients for a winning basketball team appear to be on the Ankeny Centennial girls' roster. Head coach Scott DeJong just has to put all the pieces together. "We made a lot of progress since the first day of practice," said DeJong, whose team is seventh in the Class 5A preseason rankings. "There is much more team building to do with the loss … [Read more...] about DeJong: Centennial girls ‘have a chance to have a really exciting season’
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Defending champions boast high hopes despite heavy losses to graduation
Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson was thrilled to see the Ankeny football team claim a state championship earlier this month, even if it meant two of his top returning players wouldn't be able to practice for awhile. "I am extremely happy for coach (Rick) Nelson, the staff and team in capturing the 2020 state championship in football," Carlson … [Read more...] about Defending champions boast high hopes despite heavy losses to graduation
Vortherms commits to Hawkeyes, will reunite with former Jaguar teammates
Kathryn Vortherms considers her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial girls' track squad part of her family. She was hoping to find a similar environment on the collegiate level, and she found it in Iowa City. Vortherms has committed to join the Iowa women's track and field program next year. She will be reunited with former Centennial teammates Emma … [Read more...] about Vortherms commits to Hawkeyes, will reunite with former Jaguar teammates
‘We’ll be ready to go’: Jaguars want to be hammers–whenever season begins
Jay Groth isn't worried about whether his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers will be in shape once the Ankeny school district returns to in-person classes. "I've told them, 'When we get back--whenever that is--we're going to be ready to compete,'" Groth said. "And we'll know if you haven't been doing what you need to do to be able to compete, because you'll run … [Read more...] about ‘We’ll be ready to go’: Jaguars want to be hammers–whenever season begins
Hansen to play for Morningside, while Monosmith commits to Iowa Lakes
Two more members of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team have made their college plans. Senior pitcher Trey Hansen has committed to play for Morningside College. Senior outfielder Gabriel Monosmith is headed to Iowa Lakes Community College. "It was a tough decision," said Monosmith. "COVID-19 and the NCAA decisions made my search challenging. I did … [Read more...] about Hansen to play for Morningside, while Monosmith commits to Iowa Lakes
On the move again: Creighton’s Gatica to transfer to Rockhurst University
Haley Gatica won a state softball championship after transferring from Ankeny Centennial to Valley High School prior to her senior year. Now, she's hoping that another move will pay off for her as well. Gatica has decided to transfer from Creighton to Rockhurst University, an NCAA Division II school in Kansas City, Mo. "There wasn't a pitching coach … [Read more...] about On the move again: Creighton’s Gatica to transfer to Rockhurst University
Ankeny bowling teams ‘can loosen up and have a little fun’ under Richtsmeier
For the first time in several years, the members of the Ankeny bowling teams won't have to get acquainted with a new coach. Lane Richtsmeier is back for his second season after taking over the program last year. He is Ankeny's seventh different head coach since the 2014-15 season, but is the first one of that group to return for a second campaign. "So … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams ‘can loosen up and have a little fun’ under Richtsmeier
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Riley Keller, Ankeny Centennial football
Sophomore offensive lineman Riley Keller is a member of the Ankeny Centennial football team. Keller helped the Jaguars to a 2-6 record this season. "Riley is a hard-working young man on and off the football field," said Centennial co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti. "His persistence to be a team contributor was evident when given the opportunity." … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Riley Keller, Ankeny Centennial football
Bauer named captain of Class 4A all-state team by Iowa Print Sports Writers
Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer is no longer flying under the radar. His performances throughout the Class 4A playoffs changed all that. Bauer has been named the captain of the Class 4A all-state team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. He was among 10 Ankeny … [Read more...] about Bauer named captain of Class 4A all-state team by Iowa Print Sports Writers
Hawks place 7 players on all-district first team, 8 more on second team
The state champion Ankeny football team placed seven players on the all-district first team and eight more on the second team. Ankeny Centennial, meanwhile, had three first-team and three second-team selections. The all-district teams were selected by the coaches from the following teams: Ankeny, Centennial, Ames, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Indianola … [Read more...] about Hawks place 7 players on all-district first team, 8 more on second team
‘I loved the team unity’: Centennial’s Blevins commits to play for Bulldogs
An opportunity to play in front of the Drake tennis coaches has paid off for Ankeny Centennial standout Will Blevins. The senior has committed to play for the Bulldogs. "I'm so excited!" Blevins said. "Earlier in the fall I had been playing many ITA tournaments held by Drake in Des Moines. This gave me the opportunity to showcase my talents against … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the team unity’: Centennial’s Blevins commits to play for Bulldogs
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jase Bauer, Ankeny football
Senior quarterback Jase Bauer played a starring role as the Ankeny football team routed top-ranked Southeast Polk, 42-14, in the Class 4A championship game on Friday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. He accounted for 259 total yards and three touchdowns in the win, and was named Player of the Game by the Iowa High School Sports Network. Bauer completed … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jase Bauer, Ankeny football
Mayberry to join Iowa’s track program; van de Mortel headed to UNI
Ankeny sprinters Mytika Mayberry and Eva van de Mortel are both headed to Division I track and field programs in Iowa. They could have remained teammates on the collegiate level, but van de Mortel decided to pursue a different path. While Mayberry has committed to run for Iowa, van de Mortel also considered the Hawkeyes before choosing Northern … [Read more...] about Mayberry to join Iowa’s track program; van de Mortel headed to UNI
KINGS OF THE DOME: Ankeny soars to Class 4A crown with rout over Rams
When Arland Bruce IV transferred to Ankeny earlier this fall, the Iowa recruit didn't know he was joining a state championship football squad. "I knew the talent we had was pretty scary," Bruce said. "But I really didn't look too far into it. I was just worried about trying to get onto the field with the guys." Bruce sat out the first five games of the … [Read more...] about KINGS OF THE DOME: Ankeny soars to Class 4A crown with rout over Rams
HAIL TO THE VICTORS!
The trophy case at Ankeny High School might be getting a little crowded. For the third time since March, Ankeny came away with a state championship trophy on Friday night--this time courtesy of the football team. The second-ranked Hawks rolled to a 42-14 victory over No. 1 Southeast Polk in the Class 4A title game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. It's … [Read more...] about HAIL TO THE VICTORS!
Unstoppable force vs. Immovable object? Here is Fanatic’s prediction
Well, my predictions for last week's Class 4A semifinals were right on the mark, so I'm going to tempt fate and try to make another good call. So here we go. Here's my analysis of Friday's state championship game at the UNI-Dome: Southeast Polk (10-0) vs. Ankeny (10-1): This is the matchup that many people have wanted to see all season long, because … [Read more...] about Unstoppable force vs. Immovable object? Here is Fanatic’s prediction
Ankeny’s Murphy finds great fit at DMACC, will play softball for Bears
Ankeny outfielder Madeleine Murphy will continue her softball career at DMACC (Boone). Murphy helped the Hawkettes to a 19-11 record last season. "DMACC has a very talented program and amazing coaches," Murphy said. "I felt very welcomed when talking to the coaches and athletes and knew that the team would feel like family." Murphy said she only … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Murphy finds great fit at DMACC, will play softball for Bears
‘I grew up with all of those kids’: Ankeny’s Cox to face former classmates in 4A final
Keeping his emotions in check will be a challenge for Ankeny defensive back Cooper Cox during Friday's Class 4A championship game. Cox attended the Southeast Polk school district before moving to Ankeny prior to his freshman year. "I grew up with all of those kids," Cox said. "I remember playing football with all of them when I was in fourth, fifth and … [Read more...] about ‘I grew up with all of those kids’: Ankeny’s Cox to face former classmates in 4A final
Ankeny volleyball star Schrader named state’s player of the year by IGCA
2020 has been the year of COVID-19. It has also been the year of Phyona Schrader. The senior setter led the Ankeny volleyball team to the Class 5A state championship earlier this month. She was selected the captain of the all-tournament team. Now, Schrader has received more honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. She was named to the Elite … [Read more...] about Ankeny volleyball star Schrader named state’s player of the year by IGCA
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ryan Bybee, Ankeny Centennial boys’ cross country
Senior Ryan Bybee is a member of the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team. Bybee ran in several varsity meets for the Jaguars this season. On Sept. 10, he placed 38th in the Red Division of the Marshalltown Invitational with a time of 17 minutes 52 seconds, helping Centennial to the team title. "It's been great to watch Ryan grow as an athlete … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ryan Bybee, Ankeny Centennial boys’ cross country