Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for March 2019

Hawkettes look to improve with return of all 6 varsity regulars

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If experience helps, then the Ankeny girls' golf team should improve significantly this season. All six of the varsity regulars are back from a team that posted a 0-5 dual-meet record last year. "We did not graduate anyone," said Ankeny coach Seth Hagarty. "We have set a few goals as a whole team for the season, but more specifically the girls have … [Read more...] about Hawkettes look to improve with return of all 6 varsity regulars

Jaguars look to continue their winning tradition under Petersen

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It's been a smooth transition thus far for the new head coach of the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. Ryan Petersen took over the program after Emily Phommachack resigned at the end of last season. Petersen had already been working with some of the players. "The girls have been great," said Petersen, who played tennis in high school at … [Read more...] about Jaguars look to continue their winning tradition under Petersen

Girls’ track meet cut short after Johnston hurdler suffers injury

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Thursday's Johnston Quadrangular girls' track meet was cut short due to a mishap in the 100 hurdles. One of Johnston's junior varsity hurdlers struck a hurdle late in the race and appeared to break her arm, according to Ankeny Centennial coach Andrew Kruzich. "Then she lost consciousness and went into a seizure," Kruzich said. "An ambulance came, there … [Read more...] about Girls’ track meet cut short after Johnston hurdler suffers injury

Oh, brother: Centennial’s Gabriel Vicker wins 3,200 at Waukee Earlybird meet

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One of the best races at the Waukee Earlybird boys' track meet on Thursday came in the 3,200-meter run. The event featured a battle between two sets of brothers--Gabriel and Jonah Vicker of Ankeny Centennial and Travis and Tyler Loecke of Waukee. Gabriel Vicker pulled away at the end to win the race in a time of 9:53.67, edging Travis Loecke by about 3 … [Read more...] about Oh, brother: Centennial’s Gabriel Vicker wins 3,200 at Waukee Earlybird meet

Ankeny boys’ soccer team to again rely on high-scoring duo of Raineri, Pritchard

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There's a reason why Ankeny boys' soccer coach Jordan Burns is optimistic about the upcoming season. The Hawks boast an offensive attack that few teams around the state can match. "Our strength this season is going to be our offense," said Burns. "Kolby Raineri and Charlie Pritchard scored over 40 goals between them last season. In my opinion, they are … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ soccer team to again rely on high-scoring duo of Raineri, Pritchard

Jaguars win Cub Relays title, will compete at Waukee on Thursday

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If the Cub Relays on Tuesday at Nevada were any indication, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team won't have any trouble putting together some strong relays this season. The Jaguars won nine events--including six relays--and captured the team title with 382 points. Boone placed second in the eight-team field with 366 points. It was the first outdoor … [Read more...] about Jaguars win Cub Relays title, will compete at Waukee on Thursday

Growing Hawkettes’ tennis program now boasts roster of 100 players

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The Ankeny girls' tennis team has suffered through some growing pains since the split into two high schools. Now, the Hawkettes' program is just growing. There are 100 players out for the team this spring, according to head coach Katie Owens. "We have a lot of kids out, but it's a young team," Owens said. "It'll be exciting to see where the girls … [Read more...] about Growing Hawkettes’ tennis program now boasts roster of 100 players

Hawkettes move outdoors, win 3 events at Waukee Earlybird Invitational

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The Ankeny girls' track team opened its outdoor season on Tuesday by winning three events at the Waukee Earlybird Invitational. No team scores were kept. Mytika Mayberry won the 100 in 12.93 seconds, while Malea Daugherty took the 100 hurdles in 17.11. Jasmine Bentley captured the discus with a throw of 102 feet 6 inches. Mikayla Sidney placed second … [Read more...] about Hawkettes move outdoors, win 3 events at Waukee Earlybird Invitational

Jaguars roll to 11-0 victory at Norwalk in their season opener

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Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis coach Tami Lewton wasn't sure if her team was ready for Tuesday's season opener at Norwalk. The Jaguars showed that they were. Centennial won all 11 matches in straight sets and rolled to an 11-0 victory over the Warriors. "It is a big adjustment to go from indoor training to outside playing," said Lewton. "We have … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll to 11-0 victory at Norwalk in their season opener

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kendall Jorgensen, Centennial girls’ track

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Freshman Kendall Jorgensen is a member of the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. She placed 18th in the 3,000 with a time of 12 minutes 27 seconds at the Wartburg Indoor Meet on Feb. 26. "We had two girls who were supposed to go to Wartburg that didn't get back from Minnesota in time--Katie Jensen and Addie Brooks--because the Centennial show choir got … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Kendall Jorgensen, Centennial girls’ track

Simpson’s Riordan named to USA D-3 Basketball Select National Team

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Former Ankeny basketball standout Conor Riordan will be heading to South America this summer. A junior guard on the Simpson College men's squad, Riordan has been named to the USA D-3 Basketball Select National Team that is headed to Brazil. He is the first Simpson player to be a part of this team. "I'm really excited and humbled by the opportunity," … [Read more...] about Simpson’s Riordan named to USA D-3 Basketball Select National Team

Hawkettes return 9 starters from last year’s state runner-up squad

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Simon Brown wasn't around when the Ankeny girls' soccer team lost to its crosstown rival in last year's Class 3A championship game. But he knows how much the Hawkettes are motivated by their 3-2 loss to Ankeny Centennial with a trophy at stake. "We talked a lot about state last year with our leadership group, and it was important for me to understand … [Read more...] about Hawkettes return 9 starters from last year’s state runner-up squad

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eva van de Mortel, Ankeny girls’ track

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Sophomore Eva van de Mortel is one of 14 returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny girls' track team. She placed 15th in the 100 and also ran on the Hawkettes' third-place 4x100 relay at the Class 4A state meet. During the indoor season, van de Mortel won the 55-meter dash at Wartburg and the 60-meter dash at UNI, where over 200 girls competed and she was … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Eva van de Mortel, Ankeny girls’ track

Centennial boys’ tennis team returns 7 of its top 10 players

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When the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team opens its season on Tuesday at Norwalk, the Jaguars will be able to put an experienced lineup on the courts. Centennial returns seven of the top 10 players from last year's squad that posted a 9-3 record. "We are hoping and planning on a great season," said Centennial coach Tami Lewton. "We lost our No. 2 … [Read more...] about Centennial boys’ tennis team returns 7 of its top 10 players

‘It’s insane’: Kasperbauer helps Kirkwood to NJCAA Division II national crown

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It's time for Connor Kasperbauer to get fitted for a national championship ring. The former Ankeny Centennial standout helped the Kirkwood College men's basketball team to the NJCAA Division II title on Saturday in Danville, Ill. He scored three points in 29 minutes of action as the top-seeded Eagles posted a 64-58 victory over second-seeded Johnson … [Read more...] about ‘It’s insane’: Kasperbauer helps Kirkwood to NJCAA Division II national crown

Jaguars are ‘even more hungry’ after OT loss in last year’s state tournament

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer players got a glimpse of what the state tournament is all about last season. The Jaguars advanced to the Class 3A tournament at Cownie Soccer Park before dropping a 2-1 overtime decision to Iowa City West in the quarterfinals. "Getting to state last year gave the boys a good taste of what it will take to do it again … [Read more...] about Jaguars are ‘even more hungry’ after OT loss in last year’s state tournament

Lindaman blasts homer against former team, leads Gators to 2-0 victory

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Kendyl Lindaman knew what pitch to expect from Minnesota's Amber Fiser. And she didn't miss it. Lindaman slugged a two-run homer in the first inning to provide the game's only runs as sixth-ranked Florida defeated the No. 20 Gophers, 2-0, in a top-25 softball showdown on Wednesday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville. Lindaman, a former … [Read more...] about Lindaman blasts homer against former team, leads Gators to 2-0 victory

Despite lack of experience, Smith excited about future of Hawks’ tennis program

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The new head coach of the Ankeny boys' tennis team isn't concerned about the Hawks' lack of experience. But he is pretty excited about his players' enthusiasm. "We can tell the team is really enjoying playing tennis right now," said Steve Smith, who took over the program following Randy Daniels' retirement. "We’ve seen several players on the courts on … [Read more...] about Despite lack of experience, Smith excited about future of Hawks’ tennis program

Defending state champion Jaguars ‘see this season as new challenge’

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Here's a scary thought: the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team could be even better than a year ago, when the Jaguars captured their second state title in three seasons. Coach Chris Allen returns 11 players who started at some point last year. Seven of them have already committed to play for college programs, and two more college recruits have joined … [Read more...] about Defending state champion Jaguars ‘see this season as new challenge’