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
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Oakie fans 9 in season debut on mound, but Jags drop 10-4 decision at Waukee
The top-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team just couldn't get out of the fourth inning. Waukee erupted for nine runs in the frame--all of them unearned--and went on to defeat the visiting Jaguars, 10-4, in the CIML Conference opener for both teams on Monday. "Waukee played really well, and we didn't play so well," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. … [Read more...] about Oakie fans 9 in season debut on mound, but Jags drop 10-4 decision at Waukee
Hawks oust C.R. Kennedy behind Benge’s brace, will host Linn-Mar Wednesday
Earlier this season, the Ankeny boys' soccer team defeated Cedar Rapids Kennedy before falling to Linn-Mar (Marion) in overtime on March 30. The Hawks are hoping that history doesn't repeat itself. Eighth-ranked Ankeny opened postseason play on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Kennedy in a Class 4A substate semifinal at Northview. The Hawks (10-8) will … [Read more...] about Hawks oust C.R. Kennedy behind Benge’s brace, will host Linn-Mar Wednesday
‘We’ve just got to hit better’: Hawkettes open season with 2-1 loss at Norwalk
The Ankeny softball team opened the season on Monday with a walk-off loss. The fifth-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 2-1 decision at Norwalk when Nyah Hulbert drove in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Warriors are ranked No. 2 in Class 4A. "At the end of the day we've just got to hit better," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve just got to hit better’: Hawkettes open season with 2-1 loss at Norwalk
Jaguars boast 6 returning starters from last year’s Class 5A championship team
There's going to be a big target this season on the Ankeny Centennial softball team. After cruising to their first state championship in dominating fashion a year ago, the Jaguars will undoubtedly be getting the best shot from their opponents in 2024. It's a challenge that coach Brett Delaney and his players wholeheartedly welcome. "Last year was a … [Read more...] about Jaguars boast 6 returning starters from last year’s Class 5A championship team
‘It was very emblematic of our season’: Jags bow out with loss at Iowa City High
The 10th-ranked Iowa City High boys' soccer team found its mojo on Monday. It resulted in a season-ending loss for Ankeny Centennial. The Jaguars dropped a 2-0 decision at City High in a Class 4A substate semifinal. The Little Hawks (11-3) had allowed 10 goals while losing their last two games before tournament play. "It was very emblematic of our … [Read more...] about ‘It was very emblematic of our season’: Jags bow out with loss at Iowa City High
‘Our culture is at an all-time high’: Ankeny girls to rely heavily on Division I recruits
Most high school softball teams don't have a Division I recruit on their roster. Ankeny is blessed to have three. The Hawkettes will again be led by seniors Cassie Johnson and Abby Rusher and junior Aubrey Lensmeyer. Johnson will play for Texas Tech next year, Rusher is headed to Creighton, and Lensmeyer has committed to South Dakota. Last year, the … [Read more...] about ‘Our culture is at an all-time high’: Ankeny girls to rely heavily on Division I recruits
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: All Macke, Ankeny girls’ track/soccer
Junior Alli Macke placed in four events to help the Ankeny girls' track team to an eighth-place finish in the Class 4A state meet on Thursday through Saturday at Drake Stadium. Macke placed fifth in the 800 for the second straight year, posting a time of 2:14.37. She also anchored the Hawkettes to a third-place finish in the 4x800 relay, a fifth-place … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: All Macke, Ankeny girls’ track/soccer
‘It was just a day for us to grow’: Hawks take early lead, then fall to C.R. Kennedy
The Ankeny baseball team got off to a good start in Saturday's non-conference game at Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Unfortunately, the fifth-ranked Cougars responded. Kennedy erased an early 4-0 deficit to post a 13-8 victory. The Cougars improved to 6-0 on the season, while Ankeny's record dropped to 1-3. "We gave up two three-run bombs, and that was tough … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a day for us to grow’: Hawks take early lead, then fall to C.R. Kennedy
‘It was pretty special’: Hey guides No. 1 Jaguars past Roosevelt, Wee at Rippey
For the second year in a row, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team made a successful trip to Walt Anderson Field. The top-ranked Jaguars overcame an early 1-0 deficit to beat Des Moines Roosevelt, 6-1, in a non-conference game on Friday. The contest was played at Rippey, where Centennial posted a 9-0 win over Webster City in last year's season … [Read more...] about ‘It was pretty special’: Hey guides No. 1 Jaguars past Roosevelt, Wee at Rippey
‘We just had 3 immaculate days’: Hawks score record 112 points, cruise to 4A title
The members of the Ankeny boys' track team shared some hugs on the infield turf as the crowd exited Drake Stadium on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The Hawks had just made some history in the Class 4A state meet, racking up a record 112 points to win the school's first state championship since 1972. "I didn't know how many points we could score," said … [Read more...] about ‘We just had 3 immaculate days’: Hawks score record 112 points, cruise to 4A title
Hawkettes place 8th in Class 4A, while Jaguars take 12th to equal highest finish
When the dust had finally settled on Saturday afternoon, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' track teams both had plenty of reasons to be happy about their performances in the Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium. The Hawkettes and Jaguars also showed that they have a bright future. Several underclassmen played key roles for both squads in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 8th in Class 4A, while Jaguars take 12th to equal highest finish
Jaguars place 2nd in 4×100 relay, tie for 7th in Class 4A with North Scott, Waukee
After winning a Class 4A state title in the 4x200 relay on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team nearly added another crown in the 4x100 relay on Saturday. The Jaguars raced to a second-place finish on a sunny afternoon at Drake Stadium, posting a time of 41.34 seconds that broke the previous meet record. The team consisted of Elijah Porter, … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 2nd in 4×100 relay, tie for 7th in Class 4A with North Scott, Waukee
Hawks capture DMR crown, remain atop 4A standings; Jaguars claim 4×200 title
While the Ankeny boys' track team continued its quest for the Class 4A state championship by winning its fourth event title on Friday, its crosstown rival also made a considerable amount of noise at Drake Stadium. Ankeny Centennial raced to a victory in the 4x200 relay, which also allowed the Jaguars to move into the top 10 in the team … [Read more...] about Hawks capture DMR crown, remain atop 4A standings; Jaguars claim 4×200 title
Hawkettes, Jaguars score points in DMR, remain in contention for top-10 finishes
Heading into the final day of the coed state track meet, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' teams are still in the mix for top-10 finishes in Class 4A. The Hawkettes are tied with Valley for sixth place with 19 points apiece. The Jaguars are tied with Burlington for 11th with 15 points. Two-time defending champion Waukee Northwest has moved into … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars score points in DMR, remain in contention for top-10 finishes
‘The wheels kind of fell off’: Bettendorf defeats Hawks with 7-run 7th inning
Visiting Bettendorf erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning and defeated the Ankeny baseball team, 11-5, in a non-conference game on Thursday. It was the home opener for the Hawks, who dropped to 1-2 on the season. "The wheels kind of fell off at the end," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "It took us 74 pitches to get through the sixth and seventh … [Read more...] about ‘The wheels kind of fell off’: Bettendorf defeats Hawks with 7-run 7th inning
No. 1 Jaguars rout Gilbert in 6 innings to open season, will play at Rippey Friday
The top-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team opened the season on Thursday with a 10-0 non-conference victory over visiting Gilbert in six innings.The Jaguars used a seven-run fourth inning to build a 9-0 lead and then walked off with the win in the sixth. "We got good pitching, really good defense, and we hit the ball at the right time," said … [Read more...] about No. 1 Jaguars rout Gilbert in 6 innings to open season, will play at Rippey Friday
‘We’ve got more work to do’: Hawks win 3 events, take early lead in Class 4A race
The Ankeny boys' track team didn't just make a huge statement on Thursday. The Hawks made several of them. Ankeny won the first three finals on the track in the Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium, double-placed in the high jump and took a commanding lead in the team race heading into Friday's events in the three-day competition. The Hawks have … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got more work to do’: Hawks win 3 events, take early lead in Class 4A race
Hawkettes, Jaguars collide often on opening day of coed state track meet
The opening day of the coed state track meet featured a few head-to-head battles between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' teams. In two of the events on Thursday at Drake Stadium, both the Hawkettes and Jaguars scored points. They each earned top-three finishes in the high jump and top-six finishes in the 4x800 relay. "I really enjoy running … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars collide often on opening day of coed state track meet
Drefke places 2nd at regional meet, advances to state for 3rd straight year
Ankeny Centennial's Payton Drefke will get to close out her high school golf career on one of her favorite courses. The senior qualified for the Class 4A state meet for the third consecutive year with a runner-up finish in a regional meet on Wednesday at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. She shot a 5-over-par 78 on one of the state's most challenging … [Read more...] about Drefke places 2nd at regional meet, advances to state for 3rd straight year