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Nate Smith

Jaguars edge Dowling by 1 point to win first conference championship since 2021

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It all came down to the final event, and one singular point made all the difference in Ankeny Centennial’s second-ever CIML Conference boys' track championship. The Jaguars won two individual events and a pair of relay races on their way to taking the team title on Thursday with 120 points, edging runner-up Dowling Catholic … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge Dowling by 1 point to win first conference championship since 2021

Jags win 10 events, rack up 411.5 points to claim team crown at Kenny Dean Relays

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Thursday's performance by the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team may have been one of the most dominant in the history of the Jaguars' program. Centennial won 10 events, including five relays, and easily captured the team title in the Kenny Dean Relays at Marshalltown. The Jaguars racked up 411.5 points, more than twice as many as runner-up Southeast … [Read more...] about Jags win 10 events, rack up 411.5 points to claim team crown at Kenny Dean Relays

‘We have a lot of talent all around’: Jaguars boast 12 returning state qualifiers

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The first outdoor meet is still two weeks away for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team, but the balmy spring weather has already allowed the Jaguars to spend a lot of time outside on the track. "The weather has been great," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "We've been lucky to be able to be outside since the first day of practice." Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘We have a lot of talent all around’: Jaguars boast 12 returning state qualifiers

Jaguars win 6 events, capture Class A division and overall title at Roth Relays

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' track team won the Class A division and also captured the overall crown in the Steve Roth Relays on Thursday at Washington. The Jaguars racked up 175 points in the large-school division. Mediapolis won the Class B title and placed second overall among 28 teams with 152 points, while Columbus Junction took the Class C crown and … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 6 events, capture Class A division and overall title at Roth Relays

Centennial boys return 16 state qualifiers, led by deep group of sprinters

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Due to some balmy spring weather, the season is already off to a good start for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. "This has been the most the team has been able to train outdoors this early," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "The coaches and athletes have taken advantage of it." The Jaguars tied for 25th place in last year's Class 4A state meet … [Read more...] about Centennial boys return 16 state qualifiers, led by deep group of sprinters

Centennial’s Pratt wins long jump, while Sandquist takes discus at Norwalk SQM

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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

Hawks break school record in 4×100 relay, while Zuber sets mark in 800

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Ankeny boys' track coach Jordan Mullen didn't want to overwork his athletes with two more championship meets on the schedule. The Hawks placed fourth in the CIML Conference meet on Thursday at Valley--even though they rested a few of their top performers. They finished with 88 points. "I was very happy with the results," said Mullen. "This four-week … [Read more...] about Hawks break school record in 4×100 relay, while Zuber sets mark in 800

Ankeny boys win 4 events en route to Hawk Relays crown; Jaguars place 6th

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The Ankeny boys' track team topped a field that included defending Class 4A state champion Dowling Catholic to win the Fred Smith Hawk Relays on Tuesday at Northview Stadium. The Hawks won four events and racked up 86 points, 14 more than runner-up Waukee Northwest. Dowling and Waukee tied for third place with 70 points apiece. Ankeny earned its third … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys win 4 events en route to Hawk Relays crown; Jaguars place 6th

Ankeny boys edge Johnston to win Brooks Relays crown; Jaguars finish 5th

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The Ankeny boys' track team was looking to make some noise on Saturday in the Brooks Relays at Valley. The Hawks' superlative performance could likely be heard across the state. Ankeny won the 12-team meet with 122 points, edging runner-up Johnston by three points. Iowa City High, which won last year's meet, took third with 92.5 points. "I'm very … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys edge Johnston to win Brooks Relays crown; Jaguars finish 5th

Ankeny, Centennial boys combine to win 6 events at Early Bird Relays

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams combined to win six events in the Early Bird Relays on Tuesday at Waukee Northwest. No team scores were kept at the meet, which attracted a field of six schools. "The team competed and placed very well throughout," said Ankeny coach Jordan Mullen. The Jaguars had eight top-three finishes overall, … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial boys combine to win 6 events at Early Bird Relays

‘We have some talented individuals’: Jaguars need to stay healthy, be patient

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Two of the returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team are still busy playing for the boys' basketball squad. Juniors Drake Dittmar and Connor Welsch are both reserve guards for the Jaguars, who will face Waukee Northwest in a Class 4A quarterfinal on Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena. Welsch has played in all 23 … [Read more...] about ‘We have some talented individuals’: Jaguars need to stay healthy, be patient

Centennial girls place 2nd, while Jaguar boys finish 4th at Fort Dodge SQM

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On a hot and humid night at Fort Dodge, the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team accomplished all of its goals--and then some--in a Class 4A state qualifying meet. The Jaguars placed second among eight teams with 142 points. Ames won the team title with 160.5. "It was a great meet for us," said Centennial girls' coach Andrew Kruzich. "We really exceeded … [Read more...] about Centennial girls place 2nd, while Jaguar boys finish 4th at Fort Dodge SQM

Hawks win 6 events, edge Centennial for 2nd place overall at Waukee Relays

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Thursday's Waukee Relays gave the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' track teams one final opportunity to qualify for the Drake Relays in various events. Both squads turned in some strong performances. Waukee Northwest won the nine-team meet with 173 points, while Ankeny edged its crosstown rival and two other squads for second place. The Hawks scored … [Read more...] about Hawks win 6 events, edge Centennial for 2nd place overall at Waukee Relays

Hawks earn 4 victories at Duncan Invite; Centennial’s Dietz captures shot put

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Saturday was a good day for the Ankeny boys' track team. It wasn't bad for Ankeny Centennial either. The two squads combined for five victories in the Jim Duncan Invitational at Drake Stadium. The Hawks had four of those wins on a chilly day. "We competed very well," said Ankeny coach Nick Nelson. "It was a long, cold day, but the athletes showed up … [Read more...] about Hawks earn 4 victories at Duncan Invite; Centennial’s Dietz captures shot put

Jaguars win 4×200 and 4×400 relays, place 4th overall at Hi Covey Relays

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A pair of relay victories helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team to a fourth-place finish overall in the Hi Covey Relays on Tuesday at Ames. The Jaguars won both the 4x200 and 4x400 relays. They finished with 108 points in the seven-team meet. Iowa City High captured the team title with 203 points. Cedar Rapids Kennedy was second with … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 4×200 and 4×400 relays, place 4th overall at Hi Covey Relays

Hawks win 4×400 relay, place 5th at Brooks Relays; Centennial finishes 8th

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The Ankeny boys' track team placed fifth in the Brooks Relays on Saturday at Valley, while Ankeny Centennial finished eighth in the 11-team field. Iowa City High won the meet with 142 points, edging Dowling Catholic by seven points. The Hawks finished with 60 points. "The guys really competed well," said Ankeny coach Nick Nelson. "We were very excited … [Read more...] about Hawks win 4×400 relay, place 5th at Brooks Relays; Centennial finishes 8th

‘We’re just trying to be competitive’: Jags look to rebuild after historic season

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Coming off the best season in school history, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team faces a rebuilding year in 2022. The Jaguars placed third in last year's Class 4A state meet with 61 points, the school's highest finish ever. Many of the standouts from that team, however, will have to be replaced. State runners-up Tommy Collins (400) and D'Eric Smith … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just trying to be competitive’: Jags look to rebuild after historic season

Centennial’s Smith named 4A At-Large Coach of the Year by IATC

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Ankeny Centennial boys' track coach Nate Smith has been named a Class 4A At-Large Coach of the Year by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. Smith guided Centennial to a third-place finish in last month's Class 4A state meet, the school's highest finish ever. The Jaguars racked up 61 points, finishing behind only Cedar Falls (87) and Dowling Catholic … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Smith named 4A At-Large Coach of the Year by IATC

‘Our program is in a really good spot’: Jaguars win SMR, place 3rd in Class 4A

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Tommy Collins held the Class 4A third-place trophy high above his head as he stood on the track at Drake Stadium. Collins and his teammates on the Ankeny Centennial boys' track squad had accomplished one of their goals. "I'm just so proud of the team. It was one heck of a run," Collins said after the Jaguars earned a third-place finish in the state … [Read more...] about ‘Our program is in a really good spot’: Jaguars win SMR, place 3rd in Class 4A