Ankeny pitcher Jayden Maifeld tossed a gem in the first game of a doubleheader against visiting Ames on Thursday. Then teammate Cameron Rinker threw another one in the nightcap, allowing the Hawks to sweep the CIML Central Conference opener. "It's fun to watch those two guys talk to each other. They kind of feed off each other," said Ankeny coach Joe … [Read more...] about Maifeld, Rinker hurl back-to-back gems in Hawks’ sweep over Ames
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Unbeaten S.E. Polk holds off Centennial rally to sweep doubleheader
A late rally fell short, and the Ankeny Centennial softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against visiting Southeast Polk on Thursday. After Southeast Polk posted a 6-2 victory in the first game, the Rams built a 4-1 lead in the nightcap of the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams. The Jaguars then rallied for two runs in the bottom of … [Read more...] about Unbeaten S.E. Polk holds off Centennial rally to sweep doubleheader
‘Unlucky bounce’ ends Jaguars’ season in Class 3A quarterfinals
The cruel nature of soccer is that the ball doesn't always bounce your way. That was the case on Thursday for eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial, which suffered a 2-1 overtime loss to No. 5 Iowa City West in the Class 3A quarterfinals of the boys' state tournament at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. Micah Frisbie scored the game-winner for the Trojans … [Read more...] about ‘Unlucky bounce’ ends Jaguars’ season in Class 3A quarterfinals
Hawks stun No. 2 C.R. Prairie, will play Bettendorf in Friday’s semifinals
If the Ankeny boys' soccer team was supposed to be an underdog, the Hawks didn't play like one. Peter Gaspari scored the go-ahead goal in the 55th minute, Kolby Raineri added two late goals to seal the outcome, and sixth-ranked Ankeny stunned No. 2 Cedar Rapids Prairie, 3-0, in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state tournament on Thursday at Cownie … [Read more...] about Hawks stun No. 2 C.R. Prairie, will play Bettendorf in Friday’s semifinals
Strong finish allows Jaguars, Moretti to move up 2 spots in 4A standings
Tenley Moretti had nothing to lose on Wednesday, and neither did her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf squad. Moretti carded an 8-over-par 79 in the final round of the girls' Class 4A state meet at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown, leading the way as the Jaguars shot a 366 to move up from eighth place into sixth with a two-day total of … [Read more...] about Strong finish allows Jaguars, Moretti to move up 2 spots in 4A standings
Webb has bright future after placing 24th in state-meet debut
Jaci Webb didn't let a quintuple bogey on the par-4 No. 18 hole get into her head on Wednesday at Elmwood Country Club. The Ankeny freshman simply moved onto the front nine, where she carded a 4-over-par 39 en route to a 90 in the final round of the girls' Class 4A state golf meet at Marshalltown. She finished with a two-day total of 184, allowing her to … [Read more...] about Webb has bright future after placing 24th in state-meet debut
Thomas’ walkoff blast helps Hawkettes to sweep in conference opener
Senior first baseman Kennedy Thomas has been batting in the leadoff position for the Ankeny softball team. On Wednesday, Thomas served as the finisher as well. She smashed a two-run homer in the fourth inning to give the 15th-ranked Hawkettes a 14-1 victory over visiting Ames in the first game of a CIML Central Conference doubleheader. Her blast ended … [Read more...] about Thomas’ walkoff blast helps Hawkettes to sweep in conference opener
Humble Legg sets single-season scoring record in Hawkettes’ win over Indianola
Ankeny's Alexis Legg scored four goals in the first 10 minutes of Wednesday's girls' soccer game against visiting Indianola. And she wasn't done yet. Legg later added a fifth goal, allowing her to break the school's single-season scoring record, as the second-ranked Hawkettes romped to a 10-0 victory in a Class 3A regional semifinal. The game ended at … [Read more...] about Humble Legg sets single-season scoring record in Hawkettes’ win over Indianola
Jaguars’ scoring drought ends in rout over East in regional semifinal
After scoring a total of just four goals in the final three games of the regular season, the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team had no trouble finding the net on Wednesday. The top-ranked Jaguars built a 6-0 halftime lead and rolled to a 10-0 victory over visiting Des Moines East in a Class 3A regional semifinal. The game was stopped in the second half … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ scoring drought ends in rout over East in regional semifinal
Hawks, Jaguars gear up for state tournament openers on Thursday
When the boys' state soccer tournament gets under way on Thursday at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines, fans of both Ankeny teams will get a chance to see two games for the price of one. Sixth-ranked Ankeny (15-4) and No. 8 Ankeny Centennial (15-4) will be playing Class 3A quarterfinal games on nearby fields. The Hawks and Jaguars could potentially meet … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars gear up for state tournament openers on Thursday
Centennial’s Lewton misses commencement, teams up with Gustafson to earn top-8 finish
Ankeny Centennial senior Alyssa Lewton didn't mind missing her commencement ceremony on Wednesday night. She was too busy playing tennis in Iowa City. Lewton and junior Alli Gustafson teamed up to win a pair of three-set consolation matches in the girls' Class 2A state tennis tournament at the Hawkeye Tennis Center. They rallied for a 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (5) … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Lewton misses commencement, teams up with Gustafson to earn top-8 finish
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Zach Petersen, Ankeny Centennial boys’ tennis
Zach Petersen of the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Petersen helped the Jaguars to a 9-3 record this season. "Zach was trading out with Matt Tressel and Joel Unick for the No. 6 singles spot and won the position after many challenge matches to play sixth singles for the last two weeks … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Zach Petersen, Ankeny Centennial boys’ tennis
Ankeny’s Webb shoots a 94 in her state-meet debut
Ankeny's Jaci Webb overcame a rough start to shoot a 94 in the opening round of the girls' Class 4A state golf meet on Tuesday at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. After making a par on her first hole--the par-4 17th--Webb struggled on the next three holes. She had a triple bogey on No. 18, a quadruple bogey on No. 1, and a double bogey on No. … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Webb shoots a 94 in her state-meet debut
Jaguars struggle to a 389 on opening day of state golf meet
Tuesday was a long day for the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team. The Jaguars struggled in the opening round of the Class 4A state meet at Marshalltown, which included a four-hour rain delay. They shot a 389 on the Elmwood Country Club course and are in eighth place in the 10-team field heading into Wednesday's final round. "We can't hide from the … [Read more...] about Jaguars struggle to a 389 on opening day of state golf meet
Centennial doubles team draws top-seeded Iowa City West in opening round
The Ankeny Centennial doubles team of Alyssa Lewton and Alli Gustafson received a tough draw in the opening round of the girls' Class 2A state tennis tournament. Lewton and Gustafson will play top-seeded Emma and Audrey Koch of Iowa City West on Wednesday at the Hawkeye Tennis Center in Iowa City. Emma Koch was part of the state championship doubles team … [Read more...] about Centennial doubles team draws top-seeded Iowa City West in opening round
Hawks boast strong foundation with return of standouts Hill, Maifeld
Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz still has a lot of faith in his team despite the Hawks' 0-3 start. Ankeny posted an 18-22 record a year ago, including a 6-14 mark in the CIML Central Conference. Several key players are back from that team, led by first-team all-conference selections Drew Hill and Jayden Maifeld. "We bring back a lot of experience," … [Read more...] about Hawks boast strong foundation with return of standouts Hill, Maifeld
Central Conference rivals to battle for Class 4A girls’ golf crown
The battle for the Class 4A girls' golf championship could look a lot like the race for the CIML Central Conference title. Waukee, Valley and Ankeny Centennial are expected to be the top contenders in the Class 4A meet, which begins on Tuesday and concludes on Wednesday at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. That trio finished 1-2-3 at the Central … [Read more...] about Central Conference rivals to battle for Class 4A girls’ golf crown
Jaguars boast little experience, but Hey doesn’t see any glaring weaknesses
Casual fans of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team probably won't recognize many names on the Jaguars' roster. Centennial posted a 27-15 record last year under coach Mark Hey, but the Jaguars were hit hard by graduation. "We lost 16 seniors last year, and all 16 played a pretty significant role," said Hey. "The guys that are seniors this year have done … [Read more...] about Jaguars boast little experience, but Hey doesn’t see any glaring weaknesses
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Brenny Frederick, Ankeny girls’ soccer
Sophomore goalkeeper Brenny Frederick has helped the Ankeny girls' soccer team to a 15-2 record and a No. 2 ranking in Class 3A. Frederick has played in 11 games, including nine starts, while sharing the goalkeeping duties with Laina Routson and Sidney Truman. She has made 33 saves while allowing seven goals. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Brenny Frederick, Ankeny girls’ soccer
Coach’s halftime rant ignites Hawks past Roosevelt for state tourney berth
Spencer Anderson called it one of the best speeches he has ever heard. The head coach of the Ankeny boys' soccer team, Jordan Burns, had trouble remembering what he said during halftime of the Hawks' showdown against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt on Saturday. "Sometimes I like to rant, and I get caught up in the moment," Burns said after his team … [Read more...] about Coach’s halftime rant ignites Hawks past Roosevelt for state tourney berth