It was an easy decision for Ankeny senior Zach Halverson. The righthanded pitcher has committed to play baseball for Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls. He announced his decision via social media on Thursday. "There was a good amount of schools that were in contact with me," said Halverson. "And honestly, it wasn't really that difficult of a … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was an easy choice’: Ankeny’s Halverson to play baseball at Ellsworth
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‘The course was unforgiving’: Hawks place 4th, Jaguars finish 6th at The Legacy
The Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk proved to be a huge challenge for the 66 golfers competing in the Waukee Northwest Invitational on Thursday. Only one of the 11 teams in the field managed to break 300. Defending Class 4A state champion Valley shot a 294 to capture the team crown, finishing 11 strokes ahead of Waukee. "I think my team said it best today, … [Read more...] about ‘The course was unforgiving’: Hawks place 4th, Jaguars finish 6th at The Legacy
No. 3 Centennial looks to build off last year’s postseason run to UNI-Dome
The Ankeny Centennial football team got hot at the right time last season, advancing to the Class 5A semifinals as a No. 13 seed. The Jaguars are hoping to reach the UNI-Dome again this year--perhaps as a higher seed. Centennial returns 10 all-district players from a team that finished with a 7-5 record under co-head coaches Jerry and Ryan … [Read more...] about No. 3 Centennial looks to build off last year’s postseason run to UNI-Dome
No. 2 Hawks boast 11 returning all-district players from last year’s 5A runner-up
A year ago, the Ankeny football team made a surprising postseason run to the UNI-Dome. This year, the Hawks won't be able to sneak up on any of their opponents. Ankeny returns several standouts from a team that posted a 9-4 record and earned a runner-up finish in Class 5A in its first season under coach Jeff Bauer, who was named the Class 5A coach of … [Read more...] about No. 2 Hawks boast 11 returning all-district players from last year’s 5A runner-up
Hawkettes hold off Ankeny Christian Academy to win Ankeny Quadrangular
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Two miles are all that separate Ankeny High School and Ankeny Christian Academy. Despite preseason scrimmages and players joining up together on club teams, the Hawkette and Eagle volleyball teams had never faced each other in a regular season matchup. Well the stars finally aligned as the Hawkettes hosted a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold off Ankeny Christian Academy to win Ankeny Quadrangular
Boehlert leads Jaguars to 4th-place finish, Hawks take 7th at Fort Dodge Invite
The bar has been raised for boys' golf teams in Class 4A. What used to be a winning score against other large-school squads might now only be good enough for a middle-of-the-pack finish in an invitational. "A 290 is now our new 300," said Ankeny Centennial coach Andrew Reedy. "We will have to break 290 in order to win events against other CIML teams … [Read more...] about Boehlert leads Jaguars to 4th-place finish, Hawks take 7th at Fort Dodge Invite
Centennial’s Vandermark signs letter of intent to wrestle at Grand View
Ankeny Centennial wrestling standout Cody Vandermark is headed to Grand View University. Vandermark won more than 100 matches in his high school career. He was a two-time state qualifier. Vandermark placed fourth at 120 pounds in Class 3A as a senior, finishing with a 35-6 record. He helped the Jaguars to a fourth-place finish that matched the highest … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Vandermark signs letter of intent to wrestle at Grand View
‘We just stepped it up’: Jaguars rally from two-set deficit to stun No. 6 Indianola
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team was on the verge of being swept in its season opener on Monday at Indianola. After taking the first two sets, the sixth-ranked Indians built a 24-22 lead in Set 3 and only needed to win one of the next two points to close out the non-conference match. But No. 3 Centennial refused to quit. The Jaguars scored five … [Read more...] about ‘We just stepped it up’: Jaguars rally from two-set deficit to stun No. 6 Indianola
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: McCoy Miller, Centennial boys’ golf
Junior McCoy Miller has been the No. 1 player for the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team this season. He has posted an average of 71.0 strokes through three meets. Miller carded a 69 in a triangular meet at Terrace Hills on Aug. 15. He fired a 70 on Wednesday in another triangular meet at Otter Creek, where he led the Jaguars to a five-stroke win over … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: McCoy Miller, Centennial boys’ golf
‘The seeds have been planted’: Hawkettes seek more growth in Baethke’s 2nd year
Liz Baethke feels a lot more comfortable now as the head coach of the Ankeny volleyball team. The Hawkettes feel a lot more comfortable with her, too. Baethke took over the program in the summer of 2023 and guided Ankeny to a 24-15 record in her first season. The Hawkettes qualified for the state tournament before falling to Ankeny Centennial in five … [Read more...] about ‘The seeds have been planted’: Hawkettes seek more growth in Baethke’s 2nd year
‘This team has a lot of weapons’: Miller, Pratt to lead the way for No. 3 Jaguars
After reaching the Class 5A semifinals in each of the previous two seasons, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team is setting its sights even higher in 2024. But Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart said it's too early to even think about this year's state tournament. "We've broken our season into six different milestones--with a focus for each one," said … [Read more...] about ‘This team has a lot of weapons’: Miller, Pratt to lead the way for No. 3 Jaguars
Schermerhorn departs, but Centennial boys return quartet of varsity regulars
It won't be easy for the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team to replace standout runner AJ Schermerhorn. But if the Jaguars want to earn another trip to the Class 4A state meet, they'll have to find a way. Schermerhorn was a three-time state qualifier and a two-time placewinner who helped Centennial to 14th-place finishes in Class 4A in 2021 and … [Read more...] about Schermerhorn departs, but Centennial boys return quartet of varsity regulars
Talented Jaguars return Mohrhauser, 7 other runners with state meet experience
It's almost a given that the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team will qualify for this year's Class 4A state meet. In the 11-year history of the program, the Jaguars have qualified for state 10 times. The only year that coach Eric Cogdill's squad failed to make it to Fort Dodge was 2019. The next year, however, Centennial earned a third-place … [Read more...] about Talented Jaguars return Mohrhauser, 7 other runners with state meet experience
Jaguars top Ankeny golfers in triangular meet at Otter; both teams fall to Valley
On Monday, the Ankeny boys' golf team finished five strokes ahead of Ankeny Centennial while winning the Jesse Peck Invitational on the Jaguars' home course at Briarwood Golf Club. Two days later, Centennial returned the favor. The Jaguars shot a 292 on Wednesday to defeat Ankeny by five strokes in a CIML Conference triangular meet at Otter Creek. Both … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Ankeny golfers in triangular meet at Otter; both teams fall to Valley
‘I love this team’: Defending state champ Zuber, Hawks seek another podium finish
Although the Ankeny boys' cross country team is third in the Class 4A preseason rankings by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches, the Hawks might be the team to beat on paper. Ankeny returns four of its top seven runners from last year's squad that earned a second consecutive third-place finish in Class 4A, led by defending state champion Ethan Zuber. … [Read more...] about ‘I love this team’: Defending state champ Zuber, Hawks seek another podium finish
Hawks shoot 296, edge Valley by one stroke to win title at Jesse Peck Invite
The Ankeny boys' golf team is hoping to play the course at Briarwood Golf Club two more times during the 2024 season. The Hawks shot a 296 on Monday to win the Jesse Peck Invitational at Briarwood, which will also host the Class 4A state meet on Oct. 11-12. "I'm really proud of the team," said Ankeny senior Evan Hodapp, who was one of the Hawks' two … [Read more...] about Hawks shoot 296, edge Valley by one stroke to win title at Jesse Peck Invite
With Jumper now in charge, Hawkettes return 6 of their 7 varsity regulars
The Ankeny girls' cross country team will look very familiar this season. Even the new head coach is a familiar face. Ankeny girls' track coach TJ Jumper took over the program in late spring after Quinn Groff departed to become the head girls' cross country coach at North Polk. Groff guided the Hawkettes to a seventh-place finish in the Class 4A state … [Read more...] about With Jumper now in charge, Hawkettes return 6 of their 7 varsity regulars
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Duncan Beelner, Ankeny boys’ golf
Senior Duncan Beelner led the Ankeny boys' golf team to a runner-up finish in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Thursday at River Valley Golf Course in Adel. He carded a 2-under-par 70 to earn medalist honors in the season-opening meet. Beelner placed third on the team last year with a 39.3 average. He tied for 43rd place in the Class 4A state meet at … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Duncan Beelner, Ankeny boys’ golf
‘I am really proud of the guys’: Jaguars shoot 287, but fall to Johnston, Dowling
One of the realities of high school golf is that you can't control how your opponent plays. That's why Ankeny Centennial boys' coach Andrew Reedy was thrilled with his team's performance in Thursday's season opener at Terrace Hills Golf Course in Altoona, even though the Jaguars lost to CIML Conference rivals Johnston and Dowling Catholic in a triangular … [Read more...] about ‘I am really proud of the guys’: Jaguars shoot 287, but fall to Johnston, Dowling
Beelner earns medalist honors, leads Ankeny to runner-up finish at River Valley
Ankeny golfer Duncan Beelner had one of the best rounds of his high school career on Thursday. If only a few more putts would have dropped, it could have been even better. Beelner carded a 2-under-par 70 to lead the Hawks to a second-place finish in a season-opening boys' triangular meet at River Valley Golf Course in Adel. Blake Cronin of Waukee … [Read more...] about Beelner earns medalist honors, leads Ankeny to runner-up finish at River Valley