(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For junior forward Reagan Baldwin, it felt a little weird being the opposition rather than the home team inside the Valley High School gym. Baldwin, who transferred to Ankeny from Valley after her sophomore season, stepped foot back in her old stomping grounds on Tuesday and played a key role in helping the eighth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘It was definitely a little bit weird’: Baldwin, Hawkettes defeat Valley for 4-0 start
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‘They’re a very talented team’: Wolves cruise past Centennial boys in opener
The Waukee Northwest boys' basketball team is as good as advertised. The Wolves, bolstered by the addition of multiple transfers in the offseason, jumped out to a 15-4 lead in the first quarter and cruised to a 60-38 victory at CIML Conference rival Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday. It was the season opener for both squads. "They're a very talented team … [Read more...] about ‘They’re a very talented team’: Wolves cruise past Centennial boys in opener
‘I think it was very humbling’: Jags open CIML play with OT loss to Waukee NW
Mya Crawford sat in the bleachers with an icepack on her foot following Tuesday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest. It was that kind of night for the senior guard and the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. Crawford scored 18 points, but her desperation heave at the buzzer bounced off the backboard and the third-ranked Jaguars dropped a … [Read more...] about ‘I think it was very humbling’: Jags open CIML play with OT loss to Waukee NW
‘I’m having a lot of fun’: Baldwin helps Hawkettes past Des Moines Christian
It's been a smooth transition onto the Ankeny girls' basketball team for former Valley player Reagan Baldwin. The junior forward scored nine points on Monday to help the eighth-ranked Hawkettes to a 50-36 victory in a non-conference game at Des Moines Christian. "I'm having a lot of fun playing with everyone," said Baldwin. Baldwin has averaged nine … [Read more...] about ‘I’m having a lot of fun’: Baldwin helps Hawkettes past Des Moines Christian
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Finn Stukerjurgen, Ankeny boys’ swimming
Senior Finn Stukerjurgen is a five-time state qualifier for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. He helped the Hawks to a third-place finish in the season-opening Sprint Invitational on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. Stukerjurgen placed fifth in the 100 individual medley with a time of 56.76 seconds and finished third in the 50 backstroke in 26.01. He … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Finn Stukerjurgen, Ankeny boys’ swimming
THE END OF AN ERA: Ex-Jaguar star Robinson to play in final NCAA Tourney
Former Ankeny Centennial volleyball star Devyn Robinson will try to close out her collegiate career in style. The fifth-year senior is headed to the NCAA Tournament along with second-seeded Wisconsin, which was placed in the Nebraska regional when the NCAA pairings were announced on Sunday. The Badgers (23-6) have earned a bid to the tournament for the … [Read more...] about THE END OF AN ERA: Ex-Jaguar star Robinson to play in final NCAA Tourney
Jaguars shut down Pleasant Valley in opener, give DeJong his 700th career win
The 700th career victory for Ankeny Centennial's Scott DeJong followed a familiar script. The legendary girls' basketball coach reached the milestone on Saturday when the third-ranked Jaguars opened their season by winning a defensive battle against No. 5 Pleasant Valley, 39-26, at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. "It was two good teams … [Read more...] about Jaguars shut down Pleasant Valley in opener, give DeJong his 700th career win
‘We are very excited to get this season rolling!’: Hawks return 6 state qualifiers
The strength of the Ankeny wrestling team will be at the lower weights. The Hawks return six of their nine state qualifiers from a year ago, and five of them competed at the five lowest weights. "I think that we have several guys on our team that can win state titles, like our three placewinners and potentially some others as well," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about ‘We are very excited to get this season rolling!’: Hawks return 6 state qualifiers
‘Our focus is to be tough’: Jaguars return 5 state qualifiers from 3A’s 4th-place team
There are plenty of reasons for optimism in the Ankeny Centennial wrestling room. The Jaguars return five state qualifiers from one of the best teams in school history, including a pair of placewinners in Max Dhabolt and Cale Vandermark. The other returning qualifiers are Isaac Bruhl, Andrew Roland and Ethan Sodergren. "The practices are going … [Read more...] about ‘Our focus is to be tough’: Jaguars return 5 state qualifiers from 3A’s 4th-place team
‘We have a competitive group of guys’: Hawks seek to continue winning tradition
A year ago, then-sophomore Rio Aguirre proved to be a solid third scoring option for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Now, following the graduation of his brother Lio and all-state guard Carson Johnson, Aguirre will likely become the Hawks' go-to player. "I think Rio understands his role and the importance of having great teammates," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about ‘We have a competitive group of guys’: Hawks seek to continue winning tradition
Centennial boys’ team looks to overcome inexperienced roster, rash of injuries
This was already going to be one of coach Bob Fontana's most inexperienced boys' basketball teams at Ankeny Centennial. Now, the Jaguars are dealing with a rash of injuries too. "We had four players injured during the fall either in an open gym or our fall league," said Fontana, who is beginning his 34th season as a head coach. "Usually, you have a … [Read more...] about Centennial boys’ team looks to overcome inexperienced roster, rash of injuries
Kiene scores career-high 23 points, leads Hawkettes to rout in conference opener
Ainsley Kiene poured in a career-high 23 points to lead the eighth-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 67-25 victory at Urbandale in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday. Kiene made four 3-point goals and needed only three quarters to surpass her previous career-high of 19, but she was far from the Hawkettes' only threat from behind the arc. Four … [Read more...] about Kiene scores career-high 23 points, leads Hawkettes to rout in conference opener
‘We had a fun time!’: Ankeny swimmers edge Dowling for 3rd place at Sprint Invite
It was a good opening test for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. The Hawks kicked off their season on Tuesday by hosting the Sprint Invitational at Trail Point Aquatics Center. They racked up 308 points to edge Dowling Catholic by a point for third place in the six-team event. Waukee Northwest won the meet with 407 points. Valley was second with … [Read more...] about ‘We had a fun time!’: Ankeny swimmers edge Dowling for 3rd place at Sprint Invite
Lincicum commits to play softball at Drake, will remain teammates with Ott
About two weeks after her Ankeny Centennial teammate committed to play softball at Drake, junior Kori Lincicum has decided to follow in Mady Ott's footsteps. Lincicum announced on Wednesday that she has verbally committed to the Bulldogs as well. "I am very excited to be able to play with Mady because we already have a bond and will push each other to … [Read more...] about Lincicum commits to play softball at Drake, will remain teammates with Ott
‘We do have high expectations’: Ankeny bowlers begin 2nd season under Payton
While the Ankeny girls' bowling team returns most of its varsity bowlers from last season, the boys' squad isn't as fortunate. The Hawkettes return four of the top six bowlers from a team that posted a 2-9 record, including a 1-5 mark in the CIML Conference. Seniors Savannah Dye and Kali Ogg are back along with juniors Brooklyn Dietz and Olivia … [Read more...] about ‘We do have high expectations’: Ankeny bowlers begin 2nd season under Payton
Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, led by 9-time placewinner Peterson
Despite the graduation of standouts Owen Schwebach and Owen Evans, the Ankeny boys' swimming team still boasts a quartet of returning state qualifiers. Junior Bryer Pearson is back along with seniors Brock Peterson, Finn Stukerjurgen and Austin Troyer from a squad that placed ninth in last year's state meet with 113 points. "We have 34 guys out this … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, led by 9-time placewinner Peterson
Beroth named to Class 5A all-state first team by IFCA for 2nd consecutive year
Ankeny football standout Lukis Beroth has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team for the second year in a row by the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Beroth, a senior, was the anchor of the Hawks' offensive line. He helped the team to a 6-5 record and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals. Beroth was joined on the first team by teammates Ryan … [Read more...] about Beroth named to Class 5A all-state first team by IFCA for 2nd consecutive year
Overberg’s collegiate soccer career ends with Minnesota’s 3-0 loss in Sweet 16
The postseason run for the Minnesota soccer team has come to an end. The sixth-seeded Gophers dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 2 North Carolina on Sunday in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament at Chapel Hill, N.C. They finished the season with a 14-5-3 record. The loss marked the end of Elizabeth Overberg's career. The former Ankeny Centennial star was a … [Read more...] about Overberg’s collegiate soccer career ends with Minnesota’s 3-0 loss in Sweet 16
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ainsley Kiene, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior guard Ainsley Kiene had six points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals to help the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 66-28 victory over visiting Ames in its season opener on Saturday. Kiene averaged 11.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore as the Hawkettes posted a 13-10 record. She earned all-conference honorable mention … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ainsley Kiene, Ankeny girls’ basketball
‘We made progress with our focus areas’: Deeper Hawkettes rout Ames in opener
Saturday's season opener against visiting Ames showed that the Ankeny girls' basketball team will have a deeper bench than it did a year ago. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes got solid contributions from many different players in a 66-28 victory in the non-conference game. "Overall, we made progress with our focus areas for the season," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about ‘We made progress with our focus areas’: Deeper Hawkettes rout Ames in opener