For only the second time ever, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial football teams will meet in the playoffs. In 2016, the Jaguars posted a 34-24 victory in the opening round. This time, the stakes will be considerably higher. The crosstown rivals will collide under the bright lights of the UNI-Dome in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday. Kickoff is at 7 … [Read more...] about An analysis of the Jag-Hawk showdown in Class 5A semifinals at UNI-Dome
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‘I can’t wait to be a Saint!’: Centennial’s Boyle to play softball at Maryville
Ankeny Centennial senior Cora Boyle has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Maryville University (Mo.), an NCAA Division II school that competes in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. "I looked at a couple schools before I went on my visit to Maryville," said Boyle. "All those coaches and universities were very nice, but as cliché as it may sound … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to be a Saint!’: Centennial’s Boyle to play softball at Maryville
‘I can’t wait to play for them’: Ankeny hurler Meyer to play baseball for Storm
Ankeny senior Nick Meyer has verbally committed to play baseball at Simpson College. Meyer said he considered a few other schools before choosing the Storm. "It ultimately wasn’t really a tough decision for me," he said. "I was familiar with the school with my mom being an alumna, so that made it a lot easier just knowing from prior knowledge what … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait to play for them’: Ankeny hurler Meyer to play baseball for Storm
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Macey Nehring, ACA volleyball
Junior outside hitter Macey Nehring helped the top-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team to a second consecutive state title last week at Xtream Arena in Coralville. She was named to the Class 1A all-tournament team. Nehring pounded 47 kills in the tournament, 16 of them on Thursday in the Eagles' sweep over No. 3 Holy Trinity Catholic in the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Macey Nehring, ACA volleyball
Ankeny swimmers advance 3 relays, 12 individual qualifiers to state meet
The Ankeny girls' swimming team has qualified for the state meet in all three relays and also boasts a total of 12 individual qualifiers in the eight swimming events. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes placed second in a regional meet on Saturday at Mason City with 438 points. They qualified for the state meet in every event except for diving, which was held on … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers advance 3 relays, 12 individual qualifiers to state meet
‘We’re peaking at the right time’: Jaguars rally past Bettendorf, will meet Ankeny
The Ankeny Centennial football team brought the energy in the second half. The Bettendorf players didn't know what hit them. Thirteenth-ranked Centennial scored 41 unanswered points in the final two quarters and rolled to a 41-14 victory at No. 5 Bettendorf in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Friday. Elijah Porter ran for three touchdowns and also caught … [Read more...] about ‘We’re peaking at the right time’: Jaguars rally past Bettendorf, will meet Ankeny
‘Our kids are just relentless’: Hawks stun No. 2 Dowling, earn trip to UNI-Dome
(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The only thing standing in the way of Ankeny’s ticket to the Class 5A semifinals was the powerhouse of Dowling Catholic, which had handed the Hawks one of their three losses during the regular season. This time, however, David defeated Goliath in stunning fashion. No. 7 Ankeny pulled off a 14-7 upset on Friday at Williams … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids are just relentless’: Hawks stun No. 2 Dowling, earn trip to UNI-Dome
BACK-TO-BACK!: Eagles soar to 2nd consecutive Class 1A volleyball crown
The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball players wanted to close out the Class 1A state tournament in style. The top-ranked Eagles accomplished their goal. ACA swept past No. 3 Holy Trinity Catholic in the championship match on Thursday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, posting a 25-21, 25-18, 25-17 victory to capture its second consecutive crown. "We … [Read more...] about BACK-TO-BACK!: Eagles soar to 2nd consecutive Class 1A volleyball crown
Centennial standouts Miller, Pratt earn spots on Class 5A all-tournament team
Ankeny Centennial juniors Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt have been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team at the state volleyball tournament in Coralville. Pratt earned a spot on the squad for the second straight year. The duo led Centennial to a second consecutive appearance in the Class 5A semifinals. The Jaguars finished the season with a 31-7 … [Read more...] about Centennial standouts Miller, Pratt earn spots on Class 5A all-tournament team
‘We know that we’re the best team’: ACA tops BCLUW, will play Holy Trinity for title
Last year, the Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team made a surprising run to the Class 1A state championship. Now, the top-ranked Eagles are just win one away from defending their title as a prohibitive favorite. "It feels amazing," ACA setter Katie Quick said on Wednesday after the Eagles defeated No. 4 BCLUW in four sets in the Class 1A … [Read more...] about ‘We know that we’re the best team’: ACA tops BCLUW, will play Holy Trinity for title
‘It was a good battle’: Wolves rally past Centennial in Class 5A semifinal slugfest
The third time proved to be a charm for the Waukee Northwest volleyball team. After losing twice to second-ranked Ankeny Centennial earlier this season, the No. 3 Wolves earned some revenge with a dramatic five-set victory in the Class 5A semifinals on Wednesday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Northwest (26-9) advanced to the championship match for the … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good battle’: Wolves rally past Centennial in Class 5A semifinal slugfest
Eagles overcome slow start, Craighead’s cramp to beat Newell-Fonda in 4 sets
The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team overcame a slow start to defeat Newell-Fonda in four sets in the Class 1A quarterfinals on Tuesday night at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The top-seeded Eagles posted a 20-25, 25-11, 25-21, 25-14 victory to extend their winning streak to 27 matches. The loss ended an 11-match winning streak for Newell-Fonda … [Read more...] about Eagles overcome slow start, Craighead’s cramp to beat Newell-Fonda in 4 sets
An all-CIML final?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals
The top four seeds in the Class 5A state volleyball tournament all advanced to Wednesday's semifinals at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Will the rankings continue to hold up true to form? Here are Ankeny Fanatic's predictions for the Final Four: No. 1 Dowling Catholic (31-7) vs. No. 4 Pleasant Valley (28-5): These two teams won their quarterfinal … [Read more...] about An all-CIML final?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals
Centennial’s Mixdorf, Pollock, Sash earn academic all-state volleyball honors
Ankeny Centennial seniors Gabby Mixdorf, Addie Pollock and Anna Sash have been named to the academic all-state volleyball team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. They are the first players from Ankeny or Centennial to be selected to the squad since 2019. An athlete must be a senior and meet two of the following three criteria to earn academic … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Mixdorf, Pollock, Sash earn academic all-state volleyball honors
‘I was fighting for my team’: Sash leads Centennial past Hawkettes in thriller
It's a shame that one team had to lose in the Jag-Hawk matchup at the state volleyball tournament on Monday. Both squads played well enough to win the Class 5A quarterfinal at Xtream Arena in Coralville. In the end, second-ranked Ankeny Centennial held on for a 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 14-25, 15-12 victory over No. 7 Ankeny, which nearly overcame a huge … [Read more...] about ‘I was fighting for my team’: Sash leads Centennial past Hawkettes in thriller
‘That was a tough match’: Jaguars outlast Ankeny to advance to Class 5A semifinals
Monday's Jag-Hawk rematch in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state volleyball tournament lived up to the pre-match hype. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial held off a furious rally by No. 7 Ankeny to post a 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 14-25, 15-12 victory at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. The Jaguars (31-6) will play No. 3 Waukee Northwest or No. 6 Cedar Falls … [Read more...] about ‘That was a tough match’: Jaguars outlast Ankeny to advance to Class 5A semifinals
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Trenton Smith, Centennial football
Senior quarterback Trenton Smith helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 35-7 victory at No. 4 Waukee Northwest in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs on Friday. He completed 11-of-14 passes for 116 yards and a 30-yard touchdown toss to Braeden Jackson on the team's opening possession. For the season, Smith has connected on 116-of-171 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Trenton Smith, Centennial football
State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
The state volleyball tournament gets under way on Monday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. We already know that at least one team from Ankeny will advance to the Class 5A semifinals on Wednesday. Ankeny will face Ankeny Centennial in one of the four quarterfinal matchups. The tournament kicks off at noon on Court One, where Dowling Catholic will meet … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
Zuber races to Class 4A individual crown, leads Hawks to repeat 3rd-place finish
Ethan Zuber made a promise to Ankeny boys' cross country coach Jon Lindaman a year ago that he would become a Class 4A state champion in 2023. The junior delivered on that promise Friday at the Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge.The second-ranked Zuber pulled away from No. 3 Jaden Merrick of Cedar Falls in the final mile to win the 5k race in a time of 15 … [Read more...] about Zuber races to Class 4A individual crown, leads Hawks to repeat 3rd-place finish
Hawkettes place 7th, Jaguars finish 9th in Class 4A; Beason, Mohrhauser lead way
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country teams have had some close battles all season. The two squads had another one on Friday in the Class 4A state meet at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. Eighth-ranked Ankeny placed seventh in the 15-team field for the second straight year, finishing with 186 points. No. 5 Centennial took ninth with … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 7th, Jaguars finish 9th in Class 4A; Beason, Mohrhauser lead way