Two of the state's top defensive teams collided in the Class 3A quarterfinals of the girls' state soccer tournament on Tuesday at Cownie Park. Only one of them kept a clean sheet. Third-ranked Ankeny got a pair of goals from Emma Gott and posted a 3-0 victory over No. 6 Waukee. The Warriors, who also dropped a 1-0 decision to Ankeny on April 5, … [Read more...] about ‘Our defense played amazing’: Hawkettes shut down Waukee, advance to semis
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‘This was the real Joey Oakie’: Jags’ star fans 16 batters in 4-0 win over Dowling
A much-anticipated showdown between two of the state's top high school baseball prospects lived up to the hype. Ankeny Centennial's Joey Oakie outdueled fellow righthander Trever Baumler as the fifth-ranked Jaguars posted a 4-0 victory in a CIML Conference game at No. 8 Dowling Catholic on Tuesday. "Baumler's a great player, and I've grown up playing … [Read more...] about ‘This was the real Joey Oakie’: Jags’ star fans 16 batters in 4-0 win over Dowling
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: McKenna Hilton, Centennial girls’ soccer
Senior forward McKenna Hilton has helped the eighth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team to a 13-6 record. She had an assist on Thursday as the Jaguars posted a 2-1 victory over No. 11 Southeast Polk in a Class 3A regional final, punching the team's ticket to this week's state tournament. Hilton has racked up six goals and three assists on the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: McKenna Hilton, Centennial girls’ soccer
‘We were ready to attack’: Boyle, Jaguars top Ankeny girls at Johnston Invitational
Cora Boyle and the Ankeny Centennial softball team didn't have any time to dwell on Thursday's season-opening loss to Norwalk. About 12 hours later, the top-ranked Jaguars were back on the diamond at the Johnston Invitational, where Boyle tossed a three-hitter and also went 2-for-4 at the plate in a 4-2 victory over No. 5 Ankeny. "We were ready to … [Read more...] about ‘We were ready to attack’: Boyle, Jaguars top Ankeny girls at Johnston Invitational
Hawks rally past Davenport North, but then fall to North Polk at Heggen Invite
The Ankeny baseball team rallied for a 10-8 victory over Davenport North before dropping a 4-2 decision to North Polk in the Tim Heggen Invitational on Saturday. The Hawks used a seven-run fifth inning to erase a 5-3 deficit against Davenport North (4-2). The Wildcats had taken the lead with a five-run fourth. "We responded to their big inning with a 7 … [Read more...] about Hawks rally past Davenport North, but then fall to North Polk at Heggen Invite
No. 1 Jaguars romp past North Polk, Davenport North at Heggen Invitational
After losing at Waukee on Monday, the Ankeny Centennial baseball players had to wait several days to play another game. The wait was worth it. The top-ranked Jaguars defeated a pair of opponents in the Tim Heggen Invitational on Saturday. They rolled to an 11-1 victory over North Polk in six innings, then followed with a 10-2 triumph over Davenport … [Read more...] about No. 1 Jaguars romp past North Polk, Davenport North at Heggen Invitational
‘I felt welcomed from the start’: Ankeny’s Dietz to play soccer for Bulldogs
Ankeny soccer standout Camryn Dietz has verbally committed to play for Drake. Dietz, a junior midfielder, announced her decision on social media a week ago. "I am so excited to announce that l've committed to further my academic and athletic career to play Division I soccer at Drake University!" Dietz tweeted on X. "Thank you to all my family, friends, … [Read more...] about ‘I felt welcomed from the start’: Ankeny’s Dietz to play soccer for Bulldogs
‘I’m glad they get another shot at it’: Centennial seniors earn 4th trip to state
The seniors on the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team will get at least one more opportunity to play at Cownie Park. The eighth-ranked Jaguars advanced to next week's state tournament by defeating No. 11 Southeast Polk, 2-1, in a Class 3A regional final on Thursday at Centennial. "I was just talking to Gabby (Lawrence), McKenna (Hilton) and Avery … [Read more...] about ‘I’m glad they get another shot at it’: Centennial seniors earn 4th trip to state
‘I played the course more how I wanted to’: Drefke shoots 76, ties for 16th place
The final round of her high school golf career was a memorable one for Ankeny Centennial's Payton Drefke. Drefke shot a 5-over-par 76 on Friday in the second round of the girls' Class 4A state meet at Otter Creek. She posted a 36-hole total of 157 to tie for 16th place with five other golfers. "She played very well today," said Centennial coach John … [Read more...] about ‘I played the course more how I wanted to’: Drefke shoots 76, ties for 16th place
‘I’m sure she will be back’: Centennial’s Baca gains some state-meet experience
Talia Baca's third-place match in a girls' Class 2A regional tennis tournament earlier this month turned out to be for more than just pride. Baca's three-set victory over Emily Allen of Indianola allowed her to get into the state singles tournament on Friday when the district champion, Lexi Moen of Valley, had to withdraw due to sickness. "We found out … [Read more...] about ‘I’m sure she will be back’: Centennial’s Baca gains some state-meet experience
Hawkettes finally break through against Dowling’s defense, advance to state
It wasn't easy, but the Ankeny girls' soccer team is headed back to the state tournament. Emma Gott and Sydney Van Houweling each scored a goal as the third-ranked Hawkettes defeated visiting Dowling Catholic, 2-0, in a Class 3A regional final on Thursday at Northview. "This will be my fourth time going to state, but for some reason it feels … [Read more...] about Hawkettes finally break through against Dowling’s defense, advance to state
‘You just have to tip your cap’: Brewer hurls 2-hitter, hits HR in win over Jaguars
Ankeny Centennial freshman Lauren Sandholm showed on Thursday why she is one of the state's top softball pitchers. Unfortunately, Norwalk's Carly Brewer was just a little bit better. Brewer tossed a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and also homered for the game's only run as Norwalk, the No. 2 team in Class 4A, posted a 1-0 victory at No. 1 Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘You just have to tip your cap’: Brewer hurls 2-hitter, hits HR in win over Jaguars
Drefke shoots 10-over-par 81 in opening round of Class 4A state golf meet
Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke carded a 10-over-par 81 in the opening round of the girls' Class 4A state golf meet on Thursday at Otter Creek. She is tied for 21st place in the field of 70 golfers heading into Friday's final round. Drefke made 11 pars and had just five bogeys. But a triple bogey on the par-4, No. 2 hole and a double bogey on the … [Read more...] about Drefke shoots 10-over-par 81 in opening round of Class 4A state golf meet
Hawks use 3-run 7th inning to beat Waukee, but Warriors salvage split
The Ankeny baseball team scored three runs in the seventh inning to post a 7-4 victory in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Waukee. The Warriors then followed with a 6-2 win in the nightcap to earn a split of the twinbill. They are now 2-1 in the CIML Conference and 4-2 overall, while Ankeny's records are 1-2 and 2-5. "We didn't play … [Read more...] about Hawks use 3-run 7th inning to beat Waukee, but Warriors salvage split
Hawkettes sweep Waukee as Lensmeyer, Johnson each blast pair of home runs
Ankeny's duo of Aubrey Lensmeyer and Cassie Johnson proved to be double trouble for the Waukee softball team on Wednesday. Lensmeyer hit two home runs in the first game to lead Ankeny to a 7-1 victory, then Johnson blasted a pair of roundtrippers as the fifth-ranked Hawkettes completed a sweep of a CIML Conference road doubleheader with a 12-3 win in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Waukee as Lensmeyer, Johnson each blast pair of home runs
‘It feels amazing’: Lundberg’s late goal, Kobow’s ensuing PK send Hawks to state
The Ankeny boys' soccer team was less than a minute away from having its season come to an end on Wednesday at Northview. But the eighth-ranked Hawks never lost their faith. Austin Lundberg scored an equalizer on a free kick with 52 seconds left, and Ankeny went on to beat visiting Linn-Mar (Marion), 2-1, in a shootout in a Class 4A substate … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing’: Lundberg’s late goal, Kobow’s ensuing PK send Hawks to state
Jaguars romp past C.R. Jefferson, will host S.E. Polk in regional final Thursday
A big early lead was just what the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team needed. Facing back-to-back games in postseason play due to Tuesday's postponement, the eighth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 5-0 halftime lead and rolled past visiting Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 9-0, in a Class 3A regional semifinal on Wednesday. "We had an opportunity to rotate some … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past C.R. Jefferson, will host S.E. Polk in regional final Thursday
‘It wasn’t his day’: Ankeny’s Victor falls to Schulte, Medina at boys’ state tourney
Ankeny junior Dylan Victor ran into a tough draw in the boys' Class 2A state tennis tournament on Tuesday at Iowa City. Victor opened singles play with a 6-0, 6-0 loss to third-seeded Anthony Schulte of Cedar Rapids Prairie. Schulte eventually reached the semifinals for the second straight year and went on to earn a third-place finish. "I wasn’t really … [Read more...] about ‘It wasn’t his day’: Ankeny’s Victor falls to Schulte, Medina at boys’ state tourney
Hawkettes wait out storms, then roll to victory over Ames in regional semifinal
Ankeny High School Activities Director Mike Bakker waited out Tuesday's severe storms, much to the delight of Ankeny girls' soccer coach Simon Brown. While most of the Class 3A regional games were postponed due to the weather, the third-ranked Hawkettes were able to complete their semifinal contest against visiting Ames after delaying the start for 30 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes wait out storms, then roll to victory over Ames in regional semifinal
Dowling rallies to force extra innings, then erupts for 9-3 victory over Hawks
The Ankeny baseball team appeared to be on the verge of a huge victory on Monday night. But sixth-ranked Dowling Catholic refused to go away quietly. The host Hawks scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to break a 1-1 tie, but Dowling then answered with two in the seventh to force extra innings. The Maroons later erupted for six runs in the ninth … [Read more...] about Dowling rallies to force extra innings, then erupts for 9-3 victory over Hawks