The Ankeny quartet of Charlee Cibula, Lillian Buckley, Morgan Fisher and Makenna Madetzke earned all-American honors this week at the Nike Track & Field National meet. The four runners teamed up for a fourth-place finish in the sprint medley relay, which is the equivalent to the distance medley relay in Iowa. They posted a time of 4:04.23. The same … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls earn all-American honors in SMR at Nike Track & Field National meet
‘We just didn’t have enough offense’: Hawks drop 5-2 decision at No. 7 Waukee
Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz continues to see signs of improvement from his team. "The defense looked great, and the pitching is coming around," said Balvanz. "We just have to find a way to be more productive consistently on offense. That can be tough against some of these teams in the CIML." The Hawks dropped a 5-2 decision on Thursday at … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t have enough offense’: Hawks drop 5-2 decision at No. 7 Waukee
‘They took advantage of our mistakes’: Dragons rally past Centennial boys, Morris
With six teams in contention for the CIML Conference baseball title, every game in the second half of the season could be the one that ultimately decides the league champion. Two of the contenders collided on Thursday at Ankeny Centennial, where the eighth-ranked Jaguars were hoping to complete a sweep of the season series against No. 5 Johnston. But … [Read more...] about ‘They took advantage of our mistakes’: Dragons rally past Centennial boys, Morris
Bartine’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars 10-2 victory over No. 3 Johnston in 6 innings
Lauren Bartine picked a good time to hit her first career varsity home run. The junior designated hitter hit a two-run blast in the sixth inning to give the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team a 10-2 victory over No. 3 Johnston on Thursday at Centennial. "We played a complete team game!" said Centennial coach Brett Delaney, whose squad swept … [Read more...] about Bartine’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars 10-2 victory over No. 3 Johnston in 6 innings
Waukee rolls past Hawkettes in 4 innings, avenges earlier doubleheader loss
A return to CIML Conference play has been a struggle this week for the Ankeny softball team. After winning three of four games in the John Stephens Classic last weekend at Creston, the Hawkettes dropped a 4-0 decision at then-No. 3 Valley on Monday. Then, after Wednesday's doubleheader at Johnston was rained out, Ankeny traveled to Waukee on Thursday … [Read more...] about Waukee rolls past Hawkettes in 4 innings, avenges earlier doubleheader loss
‘The bats are lively’: No. 4 Eagles erupt for school-record 21 runs, raise mark to 11-1
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The 2024 season was all about setting the foundation for the Ankeny Christian Academy softball team. Now, the process of building up one of Class 1A’s top programs is in motion. “It’s been great because we’ve got a lot of our players back and they already know the routine, know our drills and know what we’re looking for,” … [Read more...] about ‘The bats are lively’: No. 4 Eagles erupt for school-record 21 runs, raise mark to 11-1
Former Ankeny girls’ tennis coach Owens returns to take over Hawkettes’ program
The new head coach of the Ankeny girls' tennis team already knows her way around the Prairie Ridge tennis courts. Katie Owens has been hired to replace Steve Smith, who stepped down at the end of the season. She previously coached the Hawkettes from 2014-20, although her final year was interrupted by COVID-19. "I'm back," said Owens. "I'm so … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny girls’ tennis coach Owens returns to take over Hawkettes’ program
‘I hope I can make an impact there’: Williams picks Bluejays over Buffaloes
After narrowing down her list of schools to a top five, Ankeny basketball standout Jayla Williams picked the one that was closest to home. Even though the location wasn't much of a factor. "I actually didn't really want to go that close to home," Williams said on Tuesday after committing to play for Creighton. The senior-to-be is considered Iowa's … [Read more...] about ‘I hope I can make an impact there’: Williams picks Bluejays over Buffaloes
‘I wish we could’ve finished it’: Hawks fall at No. 10 Valley in rain-shortened game
Despite not giving up a run, Valley lefthander Dane Gosselink needed 87 pitches to get through five innings in Monday's baseball game against visiting Ankeny. Due to the pitch count limit, the junior likely would have only been able to throw one more inning at that pace. Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz was hoping that his team could get into the Tigers' … [Read more...] about ‘I wish we could’ve finished it’: Hawks fall at No. 10 Valley in rain-shortened game
Ankeny basketball standout Williams verbally commits to play for Creighton
One of Iowa's top girls' basketball players in the Class of 2026 has made her college decision. Ankeny wing Jayla Williams announced on Tuesday she has verbally committed to Creighton. The senior-to-be held more than a dozen offers from Division I schools and had previously narrowed her list down to five schools, which also included Colorado, Columbia, … [Read more...] about Ankeny basketball standout Williams verbally commits to play for Creighton
‘We had a lot of outs in the air’: Hawkettes held to 3 hits in 4-0 loss at No. 3 Valley
Valley pitcher Maddie Zlomke recorded only three strikeouts during Monday's softball game against visiting Ankeny. The Hawkettes had no trouble putting the ball in play. They just didn't find many holes in Valley's defense. Zlomke had a perfect game through four innings and went on to toss a three-hitter as the third-ranked Tigers posted a 4-0 victory … [Read more...] about ‘We had a lot of outs in the air’: Hawkettes held to 3 hits in 4-0 loss at No. 3 Valley
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 308
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Legacy Realty of Iowa and Revive Dermatology Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm interviews former Ankeny girls’ tennis coach Steve Smith and his daughter Kira, who recently won the Class 2A singles title to become the first-ever state tennis champion from the city of Ankeny. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 308
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kohen Bollwinkel, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Senior outfielder Kohen Bollwinkel has helped the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 13-6 record. He has started all 19 games and is batting .311 with a double, a triple and seven RBIs. As a junior, Bollwinkel batted .306 with two triples and 18 RBIs while scoring a team-high 30 runs. He was named to the CIML Conference third team. Here is some … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kohen Bollwinkel, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Benge earns all-state honors in Class 4A along with Duax, Gloviak, Wahlberg
Ankeny boys' soccer standout Landon Benge has been named to the Class 4A all-state first team for the second straight year by the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association. Benge, a senior forward, was joined on the first team by teammate Dylan Gloviak, a senior defender. Junior forward Tate Duax of Ankeny Centennial was also a first-team pick, while … [Read more...] about Benge earns all-state honors in Class 4A along with Duax, Gloviak, Wahlberg
‘We’re just really starting to trust the process’: Hawkettes finish 3-1 at Creston
A trip to Creston may have provided a midseason spark for the Ankeny softball team. After getting off to a 4-7 start, the Hawkettes traveled to Union County over the weekend and won three of four games in the John Stephens Classic. The last three games were against Class 4A rated opponents. Ankeny (7-8) closed out the tournament on Saturday with an 8-7 … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just really starting to trust the process’: Hawkettes finish 3-1 at Creston
Hawks roll past C.B. Lincoln in 6 innings, then drop 7-4 decision to No. 3 S.C. East
The Ankeny baseball team got a much-needed victory on Saturday at Council Bluffs before nearly pulling off an upset against one of the top squads in Class 4A. The Hawks ended a five-game losing skid with an 11-1 win over Council Bluffs Lincoln in six innings. They then battled third-ranked Sioux City East on even terms for much of the game before dropping … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past C.B. Lincoln in 6 innings, then drop 7-4 decision to No. 3 S.C. East
Jaguars edge Linn-Mar on Foster’s single to split twinbill, end 3-game losing skid
The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team ended a three-game losing skid by posting a 3-2 victory in the nightcap of a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday at No. 5 Linn-Mar (Marion). The Jaguars had dropped a 3-2 decision in the opener after losing a pair of 5-4 games to No. 13 Cedar Falls on Friday. They handed Linn-Mar (13-2) just its second … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge Linn-Mar on Foster’s single to split twinbill, end 3-game losing skid
No. 13 Cedar Falls rallies twice to sweep doubleheader against No. 2 Centennial
One big inning was all that the Cedar Falls softball team needed to sweep a non-conference doubleheader on Friday at second-ranked Ankeny Centennial, snapping the Jaguars' seven-game winning streak. The No. 13 Tigers posted a 5-4 victory in both games. They used a five-run sixth inning to erase a 4-0 deficit in the opener, then rallied for five runs in … [Read more...] about No. 13 Cedar Falls rallies twice to sweep doubleheader against No. 2 Centennial
Jaguars sweep No. 7 Valley, move into tie for first place atop CIML Conference
The Ankeny Centennial baseball team moved into a tie for first place in the CIML Conference by sweeping a doubleheader on Thursday at seventh-ranked Valley. The Jaguars held on for a 3-2 victory in the first game, then completed the sweep with a 5-4 win. The top six teams in the conference are now separated by just 1.5 games. Centennial and No. 8 … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep No. 7 Valley, move into tie for first place atop CIML Conference
‘We’ve got some guys dinged up’: Hawks drop 2 to Ames as tough week continues
It's been a tough week for the Ankeny baseball team. It started on Monday with an injury to starting pitcher Will Davies during the first game of a doubleheader loss to Waukee Northwest, followed on Wednesday with a five-inning loss to Dowling Catholic, and then continued on Thursday with two more losses to visiting Ames in a non-conference … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got some guys dinged up’: Hawks drop 2 to Ames as tough week continues