After being placed in a tough district, Ankeny advanced only two wrestlers to this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Caleb Rathjen at 113 pounds and Spencer Anderson at 132 each won an individual title for the Hawks, who placed fourth among the eight teams in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Waukee. They finished with 171.5 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Caleb Rathjen, Spencer Anderson capture district titles, punch ticket to state
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Centennial advances 8 wrestlers to state, the most in school history
Jay Groth was hoping to advance all 14 of his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to this week's state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. He'll have to settle for just eight. The Jaguars advanced the most qualifiers in school history while placing second in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes. They racked up 227 points to finish … [Read more...] about Centennial advances 8 wrestlers to state, the most in school history
Hawk swimmers tie for 3rd at state, win coin flip for trophy
Thanks to the flip of a coin, the Ankeny boys' swimming team returned home from Saturday's state meet with a coveted trophy. The top-ranked Hawks finished in a third-place tie with No. 5 Bettendorf after both teams scored 166.5 points at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City. A coin flip was then held to determine which team would get the … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers tie for 3rd at state, win coin flip for trophy
Strong finish allows Jaguars to capture CIML Central Conference crown
When Scott DeJong goes to sleep at night, he probably dreams of new ways to stop his opponents. That's how much his Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team focuses on defense. On Friday, the fifth-ranked Jaguars allowed just one point over the last 3 1/2 minutes and rallied for a 45-35 victory over No. 6 Waukee, spoiling the Warriors' Senior Night. … [Read more...] about Strong finish allows Jaguars to capture CIML Central Conference crown
Cold-shooting Jaguars tumble to Waukee in battle for league crown
With less than 2 minutes left in Friday's game, Waukee forward Nathan Johnson leaped high in the air for an alley-oop near the basket. Johnson was unable to corral the pass, which was tipped by an Ankeny Centennial defender. But the ball went in the hoop anyway. It was that kind of night for the Jaguars. Waukee used an 11-0 run in the third quarter … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Jaguars tumble to Waukee in battle for league crown
No. 1 Ankeny swimmers looking to win their first state championship
The members of the Ankeny boys' swimming team have set their sights on a state championship trophy. "That's definitely our goal," said sophomore sprinter Max Martin. "I feel really good about our chances." Ankeny enters Saturday's state meet in Iowa City as the No. 1 team in the state. The Hawks racked up 1,967 power points, 14 more than Ames, while … [Read more...] about No. 1 Ankeny swimmers looking to win their first state championship
Centennial boys, girls to play at Waukee for Central Conference crowns
A pair of championships will be at stake on Friday night at the Waukee Fieldhouse. Waukee will host a basketball doubleheader against Ankeny Centennial, beginning with the girls' game at 6:15 p.m. The winner of both contests will capture the CIML Central Conference title. "I think it's important that we win the conference because it will build our … [Read more...] about Centennial boys, girls to play at Waukee for Central Conference crowns
Ankeny boys earn 3rd-place finish at Central Conference meet
With a solid effort in the Baker games, the Ankeny boys' bowling team placed third in the CIML Central Conference meet on Thursday at Great Escape. The Hawks were the only team to surpass 1,000 pins in the Baker round, compiling a total of 1,004. They finished with an overall score of 2,915. Waukee won the boys' title with a total of 3,076. Defending … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys earn 3rd-place finish at Central Conference meet
No. 1 Fort Dodge wrestlers ‘flex their muscle’ in victory over Hawks
After avenging one of its dual-meet losses, the Ankeny wrestlers were hoping to avenge another one while earning a trip to next week's state duals tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Unfortunately, top-ranked Fort Dodge had some other ideas. The Dodgers won eight of the last nine matches, all of them by falls, and rolled to a 58-18 victory over No. 17 … [Read more...] about No. 1 Fort Dodge wrestlers ‘flex their muscle’ in victory over Hawks
Jaguars earn rematch against Johnston, but then fall in regional final
In just six days, the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team closed the gap considerably on fifth-ranked Johnston. The No. 9 Jaguars just didn't close it far enough. The Dragons advanced to next week's state duals tournament with a 35-30 victory over visiting Centennial in a Class 3A regional final on Wednesday. The Jaguars, who dropped a 44-22 decision at … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn rematch against Johnston, but then fall in regional final
Ankeny boys lose Crews to knee injury, then fall to Roughriders
Jaron Crews walked out of the locker room on crutches after Tuesday's game at Des Moines Roosevelt. It was that kind of night for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Crews, a freshman forward, was helped off the court after injuring his right knee midway through the fourth quarter. The Roughriders then outscored Ankeny the rest of the way, 11-5, to post … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys lose Crews to knee injury, then fall to Roughriders
Hawkettes rout Roosevelt for their 10th win of the season
Dru McAnelly checked off another box Tuesday following the latest victory by his Ankeny girls' basketball team. The 15th-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 69-30 win at Des Moines Roosevelt in a CIML non-conference game, allowing them to even their record at 10-10. "We've been calling it a season of firsts, starting with getting rated and getting our first … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout Roosevelt for their 10th win of the season
Ankeny’s Hill to play for Truman State; Jackson, Kajewski also make their choices
Ankeny football players Drew Hill, A.J. Jackson and Dayne Kajewski were all looking for the right fit in a college. They each found it. Hill, an all-state receiver as a junior, verbally committed to play for Truman State on Friday. He picked the Bulldogs after previously considering two other schools. "It was a tough decision," Hill said. "My mind … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Hill to play for Truman State; Jackson, Kajewski also make their choices
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Rachel Schon, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
Rachel Schon is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The junior center has helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 16-3 record and a No. 5 ranking in Class 5A. Schon is averaging 12.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. She is shooting 52.4 percent from the field (66-of-126), including 50 percent from … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Rachel Schon, Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball
Ankeny swimmers outduel No. 1 Ames to win first district title since 2012
Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch wasn't expecting to jump into the pool on Saturday. That's what you do, though, when your team captures a district championship. Crouch joined his swimmers for a celebratory plunge into the water at Trail Point Aquatics Center after third-ranked Ankeny won Saturday's meet with 413 points. The Hawks finished 18 … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers outduel No. 1 Ames to win first district title since 2012
STRAIT SHOOTER: Senior guard surpasses 1,000-point mark, leads Jaguars past Ames
Ankeny Centennial's Hunter Strait entered Friday's game at Ames in search of a milestone. He left the gym with a much-needed victory as well. Strait scored 22 points to surpass the 1,000-point career mark and the Centennial boys' basketball team rallied in the second half to post a 59-51 victory over the Little Cyclones. "Hitting 1,000 points has … [Read more...] about STRAIT SHOOTER: Senior guard surpasses 1,000-point mark, leads Jaguars past Ames
Hot-shooting Jaguars give DeJong his 600th career coaching victory
Fans of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team came prepared to celebrate on Friday night. The Jaguars' faithful held up signs to congratulate coach Scott DeJong on his 600th career victory following his team's 53-25 win at Ames. Afterwards, DeJong shared the achievement with his players and assistant coaches. "It just means we've had a lot of … [Read more...] about Hot-shooting Jaguars give DeJong his 600th career coaching victory
Hawks knock off Waukee, prevent Warriors from clinching conference title
A week ago, the Ankeny boys' basketball team knocked Ankeny Centennial out of a first-place tie in the CIML Central Conference. On Friday, the Hawks prevented Waukee from clinching at least a tie for the league title, helping their crosstown rival in the process. Dillon Carlson scored 19 points, including four late free throws to seal the victory, as … [Read more...] about Hawks knock off Waukee, prevent Warriors from clinching conference title
No. 6 Waukee girls roll past Hawkettes, keep pace with Centennial
The Ankeny girls' basketball team didn't have an answer for Waukee's diverse offensive attack on Friday. The sixth-ranked Warriors relied on their superior size to score numerous baskets in the paint, but they also connected for nine 3-point goals en route to a 66-44 victory at No. 15 Ankeny. "They're who they are for a reason--they're very good," … [Read more...] about No. 6 Waukee girls roll past Hawkettes, keep pace with Centennial
Centennial’s Strait closing in on 1,000-point milestone
Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Hunter Strait is closing in on a huge accomplishment. The senior guard needs four more points to reach the 1,000-point career mark. He will likely achieve the milestone during Friday's game at Ames. Strait is averaging a team-high 16.9 points per game for the Jaguars. The Truman State recruit has scored 270 points … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Strait closing in on 1,000-point milestone