Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for December 2017

Hawk wrestlers off to 5-4 start, will host No. 5 Valley Thursday

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall is anxious to get the second half of the season under way. The Hawks, who will host fifth-ranked Valley on Thursday, finished 2017 with a 5-4 dual-meet record. Three of their four losses came to opponents ranked in the top five of the Iowa Wrestling Coaches Association dual team rankings. "We were ready for a break," … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers off to 5-4 start, will host No. 5 Valley Thursday

Jaguars looking to break school record for most victories in season

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team has already captured a pair of titles this season. The Jaguars racked up 214.5 points to win the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational on Dec. 2, then won their own Centennial Duals one week later by posting a perfect 5-0 record. "We're wrestling pretty well," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We won our first two … [Read more...] about Jaguars looking to break school record for most victories in season

Crouch: ‘The sky’s the limit’ for Hawk swimmers

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The Ankeny boys' swimming team might be getting healthy at the right time. The second-ranked Hawks posted a 5-1 record in the first month of the season, despite battling some illnesses. Their only loss came to No. 1 Ames, 98-72, on Dec. 7 at Trail Point Aquatics Center. "We had a tough meet with Ames, but it was a close meet considering that we had a … [Read more...] about Crouch: ‘The sky’s the limit’ for Hawk swimmers

Ankeny bowling teams adapt to new coach, fire that destroyed Plaza Lanes

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When an overnight fire destroyed Plaza Lanes on Dec. 18, the immediate future of the Ankeny bowling teams was left uncertain. Plaza Lanes was the home venue for Ankeny and four other CIML schools. The facility was also the site of the annual state tournament. "It was a tragedy and I'm heartbroken for the staff at Plaza, but it's amazing how the bowling … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams adapt to new coach, fire that destroyed Plaza Lanes

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jackson Brannan, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball

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Jackson Brannan is the Ankeny Fanatic prep of the week sponsored by Revive Clinic and Spa. The senior guard has helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 5-3 record. Brannan is averaging 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He ranks second on the team with 10 steals and is tied for third on the squad with 11 assists. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jackson Brannan, Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball

Wycoff’s buzzer-beater lifts Jaguars past Ankeny in thriller

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Sydney Wycoff was still trembling several minutes after she made a game-winning basket. "It's awesome. I'm so excited," Wycoff said. "I'm still shaking." The senior guard drove the length of the court in the final 6 seconds, split two defenders and banked in a left-handed layup as time expired to give the sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' … [Read more...] about Wycoff’s buzzer-beater lifts Jaguars past Ankeny in thriller

Veteran Jaguars hold off young Hawks’ upset bid

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Bob Fontana wasn't fooled by the Ankeny boys' basketball team's 1-6 record. The Ankeny Centennial head coach knew that his Jaguars were in for a dogfight when they traveled across town to face the Hawks on Dec. 21. "I knew we were going to be in for a battle with (Dillon Carlson) back--he's a nice player," Fontana said of the junior guard who was … [Read more...] about Veteran Jaguars hold off young Hawks’ upset bid

Rhoads returns to west coast, where his coaching career began

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Paul Rhoads has always dreamed of coaching at a place like UCLA. Now, he'll get his chance. The Ankeny native and former Iowa State head coach was officially named the Bruins' defensive backs coach on Dec. 13 by new head coach Chip Kelly. "I'm really excited," Rhoads said during a telephone interview shortly after meeting with some UCLA recruits two … [Read more...] about Rhoads returns to west coast, where his coaching career began

Moss flips his commitment, accepts “grayshirt” offer from Hawkeyes

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When Riley Moss verbally committed last summer to play football at North Dakota State, he indicated that his pledge was a firm one. According to Moss, there was only one school that could take him away from the Bison. That team was the Iowa Hawkeyes. Last month, the Ankeny Centennial defensive back flipped his commitment when the Hawkeyes offered … [Read more...] about Moss flips his commitment, accepts “grayshirt” offer from Hawkeyes

Sibling support: Tony Rhoads goes extra mile to follow Paul’s career

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On the morning of Nov. 19, Tony Rhoads hopped in his SUV and made the 440-mile trek from Fayetteville, Arkansas to his home in Ankeny. He was accompanied by his 90-year-old father, Cecil, and a friend from Ankeny, who tagged along to watch the Arkansas football team's 28-21 loss to Mississippi State the day before. Just four days later, after eating his … [Read more...] about Sibling support: Tony Rhoads goes extra mile to follow Paul’s career

Hawkins seizes opportunity, helps Dutch to 7-3 season

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Blaine Hawkins expected to sit and learn during his first season on the Central College football team. It didn't work out that way. Pressed into action early in the fall, the former Ankeny star played like a veteran quarterback for the Dutch, helping the team to a 7-3 record that included a season-ending four-game winning streak. "You always imagine … [Read more...] about Hawkins seizes opportunity, helps Dutch to 7-3 season