Senior pitcher Lauren Gustofson was named to the all-tournament team after helping the Ankeny Centennial softball team to its first state championship. She allowed just three hits over the first four innings as the Jaguars rolled to an 11-0 victory over Pleasant Valley in five innings in the Class 5A title game on Thursday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Gustofson: Ankeny Centennial softball
Lauren Gustofson
‘This is so well-deserved’: Dominant Jaguars romp to Class 5A softball crown
It was a moment that Mariah Belzer will never forget. Ankeny Centennial's senior shortstop caught a line drive off the bat of Pleasant Valley's Ashley Hansen for the final out of Thursday's Class 5A state championship softball game, securing the Jaguars' first title in school history. "She's a slapper, and she hit it that way the last time," Belzer … [Read more...] about ‘This is so well-deserved’: Dominant Jaguars romp to Class 5A softball crown
JAGUAR UPRISING: 8-run outburst in 5th inning sends Centennial to 5A title game
When Ankeny Centennial's Sydney Morris made the second out with no runners on during the fifth inning of Wednesday's game against CIML Conference rival Southeast Polk, the senior catcher didn't expect to bat again just a few minutes later. But that's exactly what happened. Nine batters and seven hits later, Morris stepped to the plate and delivered a … [Read more...] about JAGUAR UPRISING: 8-run outburst in 5th inning sends Centennial to 5A title game
PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf
The nerves eventually went away for Lauren Gustofson and the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Perhaps the pink hair might have helped. Gustofson, a senior pitcher, got out of some early jams and the top-ranked Jaguars went on to beat No. 8 Bettendorf, 7-1, in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "I was pretty … [Read more...] about PRETTY IN PINK: Jaguars dye their hair, then roll to 7-1 victory over Bettendorf
Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed
The Ankeny Centennial softball team is headed back to Fort Dodge for the third time in four years. The top-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A state tournament with a 10-1 victory over visiting Ames in a regional final on Tuesday. The win allowed Centennial (33-5) to tie the school record for most victories in a season. "I'm very excited for this … [Read more...] about Jaguars tie school record for victories, head to 5A state tourney as No. 1 seed
‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win
Ankeny Centennial's Addi Starr didn't see the ball go over the fence. But she heard the reaction from her teammates. Starr hit the first home run of her high school softball career to punctuate the top-ranked Jaguars' 7-2 victory over visiting Des Moines East in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. "I was just running hard up until second … [Read more...] about ‘This was good redemption’: Starr’s first career homer punctuates Jaguars’ win
Jaguars celebrate Delaney’s birthday by sweeping doubleheader at Cedar Falls
The players on the Ankeny Centennial softball team wanted to make sure that coach Brett Delaney enjoyed his birthday on Friday. The top-ranked Jaguars did their part by sweeping a non-conference doubleheader at Cedar Falls. They rallied for a 4-3 win in the opener before completing the sweep with a 14-5 triumph. "We’re always motivated to take the win, … [Read more...] about Jaguars celebrate Delaney’s birthday by sweeping doubleheader at Cedar Falls
‘We treated it as any other game day’: Jaguars sweep Linn-Mar, avenge ’22 loss
In a rematch of last year's Class 5A regional final, the top-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team rolled to a sweep at No. 5 Linn-Mar (Marion) in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday. The Jaguars posted a 7-0 victory in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 10-0 win in six innings. They avenged last year's 9-4 loss to the Lions. "Going to … [Read more...] about ‘We treated it as any other game day’: Jaguars sweep Linn-Mar, avenge ’22 loss
Jaguars sweep past Ames, tie school record for most wins in a season
It was a good night for both Laurens on the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Lauren Solis homered in the first game, Lauren Gustofson tossed a four-hit shutout in the nightcap, and the 10th-ranked Jaguars tied the school record for most victories in a season by sweeping a doubleheader against visiting Ames on Wednesday. "I'm really proud of our whole … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep past Ames, tie school record for most wins in a season