Ankeny lefthander Will Casel recorded only one strikeout during the first game of a CIML Central Conference baseball doubleheader on Monday at Southeast Polk. But the senior was still very effective. Casel tossed a three-hitter and retired 13 batters on fly balls as the Hawks extended their winning streak to seven games with a 3-2 victory in the opener … [Read more...] about Casel tosses 3-hitter, leads Hawks to split at Southeast Polk
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Big 2nd half sends Centennial girls back to state tourney
The pressure to qualify for the state tournament, especially when you're a highly-ranked team, can be overwhelming. After battling unranked Waterloo Schools to a scoreless tie in the first half of a Class 3A regional final on Monday, the members of the top-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer squad undoubtedly felt that pressure. Coach Chris Allen … [Read more...] about Big 2nd half sends Centennial girls back to state tourney
Smith’s RBI double ignites Hawkettes to split against S.E. Polk
Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good. Ankeny's Regan Smith failed to get down a sacrifice bunt during the seventh inning of a tie softball game on Monday at Southeast Polk. The sophomore catcher then hit an RBI double for the go-ahead run on the next pitch, igniting the 13th-ranked Hawkettes to a 6-5 victory in the first game of a CIML Central … [Read more...] about Smith’s RBI double ignites Hawkettes to split against S.E. Polk
Hawkettes roll past Muscatine, earn another trip to state tourney
The Ankeny girls' soccer team didn't put a lot of emphasis on its opponent heading into Monday's regional final at Ankeny. It proved to be an effective strategy. The second-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 6-0 victory over No. 14 Muscatine to reach the state tournament for the second straight year. The Muskies finished with an 11-7 record. "I think we … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Muscatine, earn another trip to state tourney
After 6-1 start, Hawkettes look to end state tournament drought
The Ankeny softball team hasn't qualified for the state tournament since 2015, when the Hawkettes placed seventh in Class 5A. This year's squad appears to have the talent to end that drought. "I think our depth has really been building," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "I feel like we're set up for something really special, and I think it's a product … [Read more...] about After 6-1 start, Hawkettes look to end state tournament drought
New Centennial softball coach wants Jaguars to ‘keep applying pressure’ on basepaths
For the first time since the 1990s, Randy Schneider is calling pitches from the dugout. The new head coach of the Ankeny Centennial softball team is enjoying his return to the high school game after spending most of his career in the collegiate ranks, where he was primarily an offensive coach. "I really haven't sat and called pitches in 20-some years," … [Read more...] about New Centennial softball coach wants Jaguars to ‘keep applying pressure’ on basepaths
Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Olivia Brown and Tori Ubben, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer
Senior defenders Olivia Brown and Tori Ubben have helped lead the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to a 16-2 record and a No. 1 ranking in Class 3A. They have both been named to the All-Iowa Elite team by The Des Moines Register. Brown, who has contributed two goals and four assists, will play for Nebraska next year. Ubben has signed to play for … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Olivia Brown and Tori Ubben, Ankeny Centennial girls’ soccer
A FITTING FINALE: Hawk seniors go out with a thrilling win in double OT
Perhaps nobody had a bigger smile on his face Saturday than Dayne Kajewski. The injured senior on the Ankeny boys' soccer team carried the Class 3A third-place trophy after the sixth-ranked Hawks outlasted No. 5 Iowa City West, 4-3, in double overtime to win the consolation final at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. "I think I've been the loudest … [Read more...] about A FITTING FINALE: Hawk seniors go out with a thrilling win in double OT
Hawks suffer heartbreaking loss, will play for 3rd place on Saturday
Somehow, the Ankeny boys' soccer team will have to find a way to regroup. The sixth-ranked Hawks (16-5) will play No. 5 Iowa City West (18-4) for third place in the Class 3A state tournament on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. after suffering a heartbreaking loss in Friday's semifinals at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines. Ankeny built a 3-0 lead against No. 3 … [Read more...] about Hawks suffer heartbreaking loss, will play for 3rd place on Saturday
Jaguars sweep No. 9 Southeast Polk in Central Conference opener
The ninth-ranked Southeast Polk baseball team entered Friday's doubleheader at Ankeny Centennial with an impressive 6-0 record that included a win over No. 1 Johnston on Wednesday. The Rams returned home after suffering their first two losses of the season. Centennial posted a 4-2 victory in the completion of a game that was suspended on Tuesday due to … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep No. 9 Southeast Polk in Central Conference opener
Maifeld, Rinker hurl back-to-back gems in Hawks’ sweep over Ames
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
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