Tuesday's CIML Conference volleyball match between second-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 3 Waukee Northwest contained all the drama of a state tournament matchup. Both teams fought off two match points before the visiting Jaguars scored the last four points to pull out a thrilling 25-23, 25-21, 26-28, 13-25, 16-14 victory. "It was a great win," said … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it wasn’t going to be easy’: Jags outlast Waukee NW in 5-set thriller
Jaeden Pratt
Jaguars fall to No. 1 Dowling Catholic in semifinals at Westside Invitational
Jaeden Pratt and her Ankeny Centennial volleyball teammates would like nothing more than another opportunity to play CIML Conference rival Dowling Catholic. If it happens, it would be in the Class 5A state tournament--perhaps in the championship match. The second-ranked Jaguars advanced to the semifinals of the Westside Invitational on Saturday at … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall to No. 1 Dowling Catholic in semifinals at Westside Invitational
‘I’m so excited to be a Redbird!’: Versatile Pratt to play basketball at Illinois State
Ankeny Centennial junior Jaeden Pratt is enjoying another outstanding volleyball season. Her future, though, is on the basketball court. Pratt has verbally committed to play that sport at Illinois State, beginning in 2025. She announced her decision via social media on Thursday. "I visited a lot of schools that were around the Midwest, but something … [Read more...] about ‘I’m so excited to be a Redbird!’: Versatile Pratt to play basketball at Illinois State
Dowling Catholic rallies past Centennial to win volleyball showdown in 5 sets
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball players appeared to run out of gas during Tuesday's 1 vs. 2 showdown against Dowling Catholic. The top-ranked Maroons rallied for a 19-25, 27-25, 26-28, 25-18, 15-11 victory at No. 2 Centennial. They avenged a five-set loss to the Jaguars in last year's Class 5A quarterfinals. "I think the fourth set we kind of got off … [Read more...] about Dowling Catholic rallies past Centennial to win volleyball showdown in 5 sets
Ankeny girls break 42-year-old school record in 4×400 relay, finish 5th in 4A
On a gorgeous Saturday afternoon at Drake Stadium, the Ankeny girls' track team closed out the Class 4A state meet in style. The Hawkettes placed sixth in the 4x400 relay with a time of 3:54.26, breaking a school record that had stood since 1981. The team was comprised of Sophie Loeffler, Morgan Johnson, Zoe Shadravan and Alli Macke. Macke ran the … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls break 42-year-old school record in 4×400 relay, finish 5th in 4A
‘It feels amazing!’: Pratt leaps to first individual state title in Jaguars’ history
Ankeny Centennial's Jaeden Pratt wasn't even planning to go out for track until her basketball teammate, Mya Crawford, talked her into it. Now, the sophomore owns the distinction of becoming the first individual girls' state track champion in program history. Pratt won the Class 4A long jump on Friday at Drake Stadium with a leap of 18 feet 1 inch. Her … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing!’: Pratt leaps to first individual state title in Jaguars’ history
Centennial’s Pratt wins long jump, while Sandquist takes discus at Norwalk SQM
The rainy conditions provided a challenge for the Ankeny Centennial track teams on Thursday. Both squads overcame a steady drizzle to earn top-four finishes in a Class 4A state qualifying meet at Norwalk. The Jaguars placed third among eight teams in the girls' division with 117.5 points. "We had a great meet with strong performances across the board … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Pratt wins long jump, while Sandquist takes discus at Norwalk SQM
Pratt sets school record in long jump, helps Centennial to runner-up finish
It was another banner night for the jumpers on the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. Jaeden Pratt set a school record in the long jump while teammate Kambria Leazer scored points in both jumping events as the Jaguars earned a runner-up finish in the Waukee Northwest Relays on Thursday. Northwest, the defending Class 4A state champion, easily won its … [Read more...] about Pratt sets school record in long jump, helps Centennial to runner-up finish
Pitz earns repeat all-state honors from IGCA; Gage, Pratt also recognized
Ankeny basketball standout Jenna Pitz has received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association for the second straight year. Pitz, a senior guard, was a repeat selection to the Class 5A third team. She was joined on that squad by sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial. Pitz's teammate, Savannah Gage, was named to the Class 5A … [Read more...] about Pitz earns repeat all-state honors from IGCA; Gage, Pratt also recognized
YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors
The future looks very bright for Class 5A girls' basketball in the state of Iowa. Six sophomores and a pair of freshmen were among the players named to the Class 5A all-state teams by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, who selected the squads during a meeting on Saturday in conjunction with a panel of coaches. Ankeny star Savannah Gage and … [Read more...] about YOUTH MOVEMENT: Gage, Pratt among 6 sophs to earn Class 5A all-state honors
After leading Jaguars to semifinals, Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team
Sophomore forward Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial has been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team at the girls' state basketball tournament in Des Moines. Pratt was honored on Friday night following the Class 5A championship game at Wells Fargo Arena. She averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while leading the Jaguars to the semifinals of the … [Read more...] about After leading Jaguars to semifinals, Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team
‘We just came up short’: Jaguars suffer late scoring drought, tumble to Johnston
Thursday morning's Class 5A semifinal showdown between second-ranked Johnston and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial turned into a backyard brawl at the girls' state basketball tournament. Playing for the third time this season, the CIML Conference rivals waged a fierce defensive battle before the Dragons scored the final six points of the game to emerge with a … [Read more...] about ‘We just came up short’: Jaguars suffer late scoring drought, tumble to Johnston
Zediker’s late free throws spoil Jaguars’ rally, lift Dowling Catholic to 65-64 win
For the first time this season, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team played a game that went down to the wire. It resulted in a heartbreaking loss. The third-ranked Jaguars rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take a 64-63 lead with 9.4 seconds left, but No. 6 Dowling Catholic got a pair of free throws from Ava Zediker … [Read more...] about Zediker’s late free throws spoil Jaguars’ rally, lift Dowling Catholic to 65-64 win
Centennial sophomore Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team
Sophomore middle hitter Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial has been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team at the state volleyball tournament in Coralville. Pratt helped the sixth-ranked Jaguars reach the Class 5A semifinals at Xtream Arena. She had 12 kills, seven blocks and two aces in a five-set victory over No. 4 Dowling Catholic in Monday's … [Read more...] about Centennial sophomore Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team
‘I’m super proud of the girls’: Jaguars fall short against Hartman, No. 1 I.C. Liberty
A balanced offensive attack wasn't enough for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team against Iowa City Liberty star Cassidy Hartman. Hartman pounded 22 kills and also had 15 digs to lead the top-ranked Lightning to a 25-21, 25-19, 18-25, 25-22 victory over No. 6 Centennial in a Class 5A semifinal on Wednesday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. "She has a … [Read more...] about ‘I’m super proud of the girls’: Jaguars fall short against Hartman, No. 1 I.C. Liberty
‘We just had to keep fighting’: Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic in 5-set thriller
There was nothing scary about the volleyball match between Ankeny Centennial and Dowling Catholic that was played on Halloween. The two CIML Conference rivals simply played an all-time classic on the state's biggest stage. Sixth-ranked Centennial outlasted the No. 4 Maroons, 25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 29-27, 15-11, in a Class 5A quarterfinal at the state … [Read more...] about ‘We just had to keep fighting’: Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic in 5-set thriller
Hawkettes, Jaguars (and Eagles) ready to make deep runs in Coralville
When the state volleyball tournament tips off on Monday in Coralville, second-ranked Ankeny and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial will both take the courts at Xtream Arena with a ton of confidence. The Hawkettes (35-4), who are riding a 17-match winning streak, will face No. 10 Valley (21-20) in a Class 5A quarterfinal at noon on Court Two. They already own three … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars (and Eagles) ready to make deep runs in Coralville
‘It was a great night’: Jaguars rout Riders, earn their 9th trip to state in 10 years
One statistic stood out from Tuesday's Class 5A regional volleyball final between sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. The Roughriders finished with more hitting errors (16) than kills (15), resulting in a -.013 hitting percentage. "It was a great night for us," Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart said after her team swept … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great night’: Jaguars rout Riders, earn their 9th trip to state in 10 years
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 201
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews volleyball standouts Myra Carlson of Ankeny and Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial along with Centennial football players Easton Miller and Brody Targgart. Coldwell Banker realtor Ronda Dix also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 201
‘I think we can go all the way’: Confident Jaguars rout S.C. West in regional opener
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball players didn't spend a lot of time preparing for their first postseason opponent. The sixth-ranked Jaguars focused most of their attention over the last week on themselves. "We decided to (play) more as a team and try and do things more as a team," said Centennial sophomore Jaeden Pratt. "We knew that Sioux City (West) … [Read more...] about ‘I think we can go all the way’: Confident Jaguars rout S.C. West in regional opener