After missing last year's Class 5A state tournament, Ankeny Centennial's juggernaut of a softball team has returned to Harlan Rogers Park. The fourth-ranked Jaguars--who outscored their three opponents by a 29-2 margin to win the crown in 2023--opened this year's tournament on Monday with a 9-0 win over No. 5 Valley in five innings in a Class 5A … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past Valley in 5 innings, earn shot to take down No. 1 Waukee NW
Mady Ott
Centennial star Kennedy named to 5A West all-district team for 3rd straight year
Ankeny Centennial softball standout Jordyn Kennedy has been named to the Class 5A West all-district team for the third consecutive year by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Kennedy was among five players from Ankeny to earn all-district honors. Fellow Centennial junior Mady Ott was a repeat pick to the all-district team, while Ankeny Christian Academy … [Read more...] about Centennial star Kennedy named to 5A West all-district team for 3rd straight year
Jaguars rout C.R. Kennedy to advance to state, will play Valley for 4th time Monday
This time, there was no slow start by the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Three days after the fourth-ranked Jaguars were forced to overcome a six-run deficit to beat Urbandale in their postseason opener, they never trailed in Tuesday's Class 5A regional final at Centennial. Coach Brett Delaney's team got a two-run homer from Mady Ott in the bottom of … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout C.R. Kennedy to advance to state, will play Valley for 4th time Monday
Jaguars overcome 6-0 deficit to beat Urbandale for 4th time, keep season alive
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial softball team had played Urbandale three times before Saturday’s Class 5A regional semifinal, and each time the Jaguars cruised to an easy victory. But when it comes to postseason play, you never know what can happen. Visiting Urbandale threatened to put the fourth-ranked and top-seeded Jaguars on … [Read more...] about Jaguars overcome 6-0 deficit to beat Urbandale for 4th time, keep season alive
‘We for sure feed off each other’: Jaguars blast 5 home runs in sweep at No. 3 Valley
There aren't any easy outs in the Ankeny Centennial softball lineup. Mady Ott homered twice and three of her teammates also hit roundtrippers as the second-ranked Jaguars swept a doubleheader on Thursday at No. 3 Valley, 8-0 and 8-4. "We for sure feed off each other," said Ott. "I think once someone hits (a home run), it’s easier for us to find the … [Read more...] about ‘We for sure feed off each other’: Jaguars blast 5 home runs in sweep at No. 3 Valley
Lincicum commits to play softball at Drake, will remain teammates with Ott
About two weeks after her Ankeny Centennial teammate committed to play softball at Drake, junior Kori Lincicum has decided to follow in Mady Ott's footsteps. Lincicum announced on Wednesday that she has verbally committed to the Bulldogs as well. "I am very excited to be able to play with Mady because we already have a bond and will push each other to … [Read more...] about Lincicum commits to play softball at Drake, will remain teammates with Ott
‘I’m so excited to be going to Drake’: Centennial star Ott to play for Bulldogs
One of the state's best softball players has ended her recruiting battle. Ankeny Centennial junior outfielder Mady Ott announced on Tuesday that she has verbally committed to Drake. She will join the Bulldogs' program in the fall of 2026. "I'm so excited to be going to Drake," said Ott. "This wasn't as tough of a decision as I thought it would be. I … [Read more...] about ‘I’m so excited to be going to Drake’: Centennial star Ott to play for Bulldogs
‘This one feels really good’: No. 1 Jaguars outlast No. 3 Dowling in CIML showdown
Perhaps no volleyball team in the state enjoys playing a fifth set as much as Ankeny Centennial. The top-ranked Jaguars were pushed to the limit on Tuesday for the third time this season, and once again they outlasted a top-10 opponent. Centennial used an 8-0 run in the fifth set to help close out a 23-25, 25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 15-12 victory at No. 3 … [Read more...] about ‘This one feels really good’: No. 1 Jaguars outlast No. 3 Dowling in CIML showdown
Five Jaguars earn all-state honors along with Ankeny’s Rusher, ACA’s Quick
Five Ankeny Centennial softball players have received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association along with Abby Rusher of Ankeny and Katie Quick of Ankeny Christian Academy. The Jaguars placed Jordyn Kennedy, Mady Ott and Lauren Sandholm on the Class 5A first team. They were joined on the squad by Rusher, who was a repeat pick along with … [Read more...] about Five Jaguars earn all-state honors along with Ankeny’s Rusher, ACA’s Quick
Centennial’s Kennedy, Sandholm, Ott named to CIML Conference first team
Ankeny Centennial softball stars Jordyn Kennedy and Lauren Sandholm were both repeat selections to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. They were joined on the squad by teammate Mady Ott, who helped the Jaguars to a share of the conference championship. Ten Centennial players and 11 more from Ankeny earned all-conference … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Kennedy, Sandholm, Ott named to CIML Conference first team
Centennial trio, ACA duo earn all-district honors along with Ankeny’s Rusher
Ankeny Centennial softball standouts Jordyn Kennedy, Mady Ott and Lauren Sandholm have been selected to the Class 5A West all-district team along with Ankeny star Abby Rusher, while the Ankeny Christian Academy duo of Riese Gjerde and Katie Quick were named to the Class 1A South Central all-district squad. The teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, ACA duo earn all-district honors along with Ankeny’s Rusher
MADYBOMB: Ott’s walk-off blast finishes sweep, gives Jags at least share of crown
Ankeny Centennial's Mady Ott was surprised when the Urbandale softball team elected to pitch to her. It was a decision that the 11th-ranked J-Hawks are now regretting. With two outs and first base open, Ott blasted a three-run homer over the flag pole in left-center field to give the No. 6 Jaguars a 10-8 victory in eight innings to complete a sweep of … [Read more...] about MADYBOMB: Ott’s walk-off blast finishes sweep, gives Jags at least share of crown
Jaguars cruise to championship of Fort Dodge Invitational; Ankeny places 4th
Mady Ott and the Ankeny Centennial softball team feel right at home at Harlan Rogers Park. Ott homered twice and drove in seven runs on Saturday as the fifth-ranked Jaguars cruised to the championship of the 16-team Fort Dodge Invitational. They rallied for an 11-5 victory over Class 3A No. 1 Williamsburg in the semifinals, then followed with an 8-2 … [Read more...] about Jaguars cruise to championship of Fort Dodge Invitational; Ankeny places 4th
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Mady Ott, Ankeny Centennial softball
Sophomore outfielder Mady Ott has helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to an 11-4 record. She is batting .429 with four home runs, three doubles and 12 RBIs. Ott's bat heated up in the last week, when she homered four times during a six-game stretch. She hit a grand slam in the Jaguars' 10-4 victory over No. 13 Southeast Polk in the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Mady Ott, Ankeny Centennial softball
‘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
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Mady Ott, Ankeny Centennial freshman
The leftfielder is a breakout star at the state softball tournament, earning all-tournament honors after helping the Jaguars to the first Class 5A crown in school history. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Mady Ott, Ankeny Centennial freshman
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
No. 1 Centennial girls sweep Dragons, clinch outright CIML Conference crown
Clinching a share of the CIML Conference title wasn't enough for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. After winning the first game of a doubleheader on Monday at 10th-ranked Johnston, the No. 1 Jaguars completed a sweep with a 5-2 victory that also secured the outright league crown. "We're planning on clinching that title," eighth grade pitcher Lauren … [Read more...] about No. 1 Centennial girls sweep Dragons, clinch outright CIML Conference crown