There must be something about Rocky Lombardi that brings out the best in Riley Moss. Whatever it is, Moss just seems to have Lombardi's number. On Saturday, the former Ankeny Centennial defensive back intercepted a pass from Lombardi in the second quarter and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown to give Iowa a 35-0 lead over Michigan State at Kinnick … [Read more...] about MOSS’D AGAIN: Ex-Centennial star gets pick-six off Lombardi in Hawkeyes’ victory
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Centennial’s Cogdill, VanderWilt earn coaching awards from IATC
The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team enjoyed the best season in school history. Now, the Jaguars' coaches have been honored for leading their team to a third-place finish in the Class 4A state meet on Oct. 30. Head coach Eric Cogdill has been named the Class 4A Coach of the Year by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. "This doesn't … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Cogdill, VanderWilt earn coaching awards from IATC
Ankeny’s Schrader named to all-CIML first team for third straight year
Ankeny volleyball standout Phyona Schrader has been named to the all-conference first team for the third straight year. Schrader, a senior setter, was selected to the CIML Iowa Conference first team after leading the Hawkettes to the Class 5A state title. She also led her team to the league crown. Schrader, who surpassed the 2,000-assist career mark … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Schrader named to all-CIML first team for third straight year
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lexi Stephens, Ankeny volleyball
Junior libero Lexi Stephens helped the Ankeny volleyball team capture the fifth state championship in school history last week in Cedar Rapids. She racked up a team-high 272 digs as the Hawkettes posted a 22-2 record and finished the season with a 19-match winning streak. Stephens also had 69 assists. She was named to the CIML Iowa Conference second … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lexi Stephens, Ankeny volleyball
Hawkette swimmers place 2nd at regional, qualify for state in every event
The Ankeny and Johnston girls' swimming teams battled down to the wire on Saturday for the overall crown in a regional meet at Summit Middle School. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes held a two-point lead going into the final event. But No. 4 Johnston then won the 400 freestyle relay in a time of 3:38.07, defeating Ankeny by about 2 seconds. That victory … [Read more...] about Hawkette swimmers place 2nd at regional, qualify for state in every event
Bruce explodes for IV touchdowns, leads No. 2 Ankeny to the UNI-Dome
Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer has played with and against a lot of great athletes during his high school football career. He isn't sure if he's seen anyone like Arland Bruce IV. "He's just a dude," Bauer said of the Iowa recruit. "I mean, he's one of the best players I've ever seen. The dude can just flat-out play. When the play is not there, he's … [Read more...] about Bruce explodes for IV touchdowns, leads No. 2 Ankeny to the UNI-Dome
DOMEWARD BOUND: Hawks ride Bruce past Waukee, into Class 4A semifinals
Next stop: the UNI-Dome. The second-ranked Ankeny football team earned a trip to the Class 4A semifinals with a 28-7 victory at No. 4 Waukee on Friday. The Hawks (9-1) won their eighth straight game since dropping a 21-17 decision at Waukee (7-3) on Sept. 4. "I'm just happy for the kids," said Ankeny coach Rick Nelson. "I can't say enough about them. … [Read more...] about DOMEWARD BOUND: Hawks ride Bruce past Waukee, into Class 4A semifinals
JUMP FOR JOY!: Hawkettes, Whims capture their 5th state championships
When Dave Whims came out of retirement in 2019 to coach the Ankeny volleyball team once again, he thought the Hawkettes had the potential to eventually win another state championship. It happened faster than he expected. Second-ranked Ankeny defeated No. 5 Iowa City Liberty in four sets to capture the Class 5A title on Thursday at the Alliant Energy … [Read more...] about JUMP FOR JOY!: Hawkettes, Whims capture their 5th state championships
HAWKETTES ARE BACK ON TOP FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2009
It took 11 years, but the Ankeny volleyball team is back on top. The second-ranked Hawkettes captured their first state championship in more than a decade by defeating No. 5 Iowa City Liberty in four sets in the Class 5A final on Thursday at the Alliant Energy Power House in Cedar Rapids. They won the match by scores of 25-21, 25-17, 21-25, 25-19. "It … [Read more...] about HAWKETTES ARE BACK ON TOP FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2009
‘I knew we could do it’: Ankeny outlasts Spartans, will play I.C. Liberty for crown
Ava Reynolds watched the ball fall to the floor and then screamed with joy. The junior outside hitter blocked a Pleasant Valley spike attempt to send the second-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to the Class 5A championship match. "I don't even know (what I was thinking)...just excitement," said Reynolds. "I was just so proud of my team, and everybody did … [Read more...] about ‘I knew we could do it’: Ankeny outlasts Spartans, will play I.C. Liberty for crown
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Reagan Angus, Ankeny Centennial volleyball
Sophomore setter Reagan Angus is a member of the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. She helped the Jaguars to a 16-10 record this season. Angus had 16 assists on Monday as Centennial lost to Ankeny in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament at Cedar Rapids. She also recorded seven digs. Angus placed second on the team with 229 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Reagan Angus, Ankeny Centennial volleyball
Hawkettes overcome Centennial’s fast start, earn return trip to 5A semifinals
For awhile on Monday morning, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team threatened to pull off the first upset of the Class 5A state tournament. The seventh-ranked Jaguars won the opening set against crosstown rival Ankeny and then jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second set of a quarterfinal match at the Alliant Energy Power House in Cedar Rapids. "I think … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome Centennial’s fast start, earn return trip to 5A semifinals
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ava Reynolds, Ankeny volleyball
Junior outside hitter Ava Reynolds has helped the second-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a third consecutive appearance in the Class 5A state tournament. She had four kills on Tuesday as the Hawkettes swept Southeast Polk in a regional final at Ankeny. Reynolds leads Ankeny with 206 kills. She has compiled a .297 hitting percentage. Here is some … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ava Reynolds, Ankeny volleyball
‘They are everything and more that we thought’: S.E. Polk ends Jaguars’ season
The Ankeny Centennial football team has made a lot of progress since the Jaguars lost at Southeast Polk, 29-0, on Sept. 4. But not enough to pull off an upset against the top-ranked Rams. Southeast Polk (8-0) remained unbeaten with a 41-7 victory over visiting Centennial in the third round of the Class 4A playoffs on Friday. The Jaguars finished the … [Read more...] about ‘They are everything and more that we thought’: S.E. Polk ends Jaguars’ season
‘We can definitely smell it’: Hawks top Cedar Falls, move closer to semifinals
A trip to the UNI-Dome is now just one win away for the Ankeny football team. The second-ranked Hawks advanced to the Class 4A quarterfinals for the second straight year with a 37-16 victory over visiting Cedar Falls on Friday. They scored the final 29 points of the game to erase a 16-8 deficit. "We've been anxious these last couple of weeks," … [Read more...] about ‘We can definitely smell it’: Hawks top Cedar Falls, move closer to semifinals
‘Every girl had a phenomenal race’: Jaguars capture 3rd-place trophy
As she crossed the finish line at the girls' Class 4A state cross country meet on Friday, Ankeny Centennial sophomore Rondi Quass knew that she had earned a spot on the awards podium. Quass later discovered that she would get to make two appearances on the clubhouse deck at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. She not only placed 14th as an individual, … [Read more...] about ‘Every girl had a phenomenal race’: Jaguars capture 3rd-place trophy
Centennial boys place 9th at state, earn highest finish in school history
Gabriel Vicker had yet to see the results from the boys' Class 4A state cross country meet. But the Ankeny Centennial senior was pretty confident that his team had reached its goal. "Our team's goal was top 10, and we're really hoping we got that," said Vicker. "I saw the guys finish in a pretty close pack that wasn't too far behind me, so we're hoping … [Read more...] about Centennial boys place 9th at state, earn highest finish in school history
Ankeny’s Johnson to play baseball at Marshalltown Community College
Ankeny pitcher Will Johnson has verbally committed to play baseball at Marshalltown Community College. Johnson said he liked the enthusiasm of the Marshalltown coaching staff. "I looked at a few schools, but I never really had my mind set on any school because I did not know the coaches or the program itself," he said. "One reason I like MCC is because … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Johnson to play baseball at Marshalltown Community College
Hawkettes rout undermanned S.E. Polk, earn 16th trip to state under Whims
The road to the state tournament was an easy one for the Ankeny volleyball team. But that didn't make it any less special. The second-ranked Hawkettes--who automatically advanced to a Class 5A regional final when Marshalltown's season came to an end due to a positive COVID-19 test--earned their third consecutive trip to Cedar Rapids with a 25-4, 25-9, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout undermanned S.E. Polk, earn 16th trip to state under Whims
Jaguars outlast Urbandale in thriller, earn rematch against Ankeny at state
Ankeny Centennial volleyball coach Jessica Rinehart watched her team advance to the state tournament for the seventh time in eight seasons on Tuesday night. This time, she watched the match from home. "Not having Jess there was an additional motivation for us," said Centennial libero Ella Becker. "We knew that she wanted to be there more than anything, … [Read more...] about Jaguars outlast Urbandale in thriller, earn rematch against Ankeny at state