Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for November 2019

‘It’s been one of my favorite years’: Ballenger makes the most of final season

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As she walked across the court at D.J. Sokol Arena, possibly for the last time in front of the Creighton volleyball fans, senior middle hitter Megan Ballenger tried to soak it all in. The former Ankeny star was honored as part of the Bluejays' Senior Day following Sunday's four-set victory over DePaul that clinched Creighton's unprecedented sixth … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been one of my favorite years’: Ballenger makes the most of final season

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Callan Miller, Ankeny Centennial football

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Senior punter Callan Miller helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to an 8-2 record this season. Miller averaged 37.0 yards on 28 attempts. His longest punt of the year traveled 76 yards. Miller was named to the Class 4A District 2 second team. He was also the recipient of the team's "Oil Can Award" at the Jaguars' banquet on … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Callan Miller, Ankeny Centennial football

Centennial’s Robinson, Ankeny’s Schrader named to Elite all-state team

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Volleball standouts Devyn Robinson of Ankeny Centennial and Phyona Schrader of Ankeny have been named to a pair of all-state teams by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Robinson, a senior middle hitter, was selected to the Elite all-state team and the Class 5A first team for the third consecutive year. She was joined on both squads by Schrader, a junior … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Robinson, Ankeny’s Schrader named to Elite all-state team

Defending state champion Ankeny swimmers ‘won’t back down to anyone’

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Justin Crouch knows that the Ankeny boys' swimming team is going to get every opponent's best shot. That's what happens when you're the defending state champion. "I know we have the experience from last year that will be a big help, but for us to repeat we have to continue to work and strive to get better because the other contenders out there won't … [Read more...] about Defending state champion Ankeny swimmers ‘won’t back down to anyone’

Gates, Bauer, Manus earn repeat all-district first-team honors

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial football teams each had 15 players receive all-district honors from the coaches in their respective districts. The Jaguars, who won the Class 4A District 2 title, had seven first-team selections and seven more on the second team. Ankeny had six first-team picks and six more on the second team in District 1. Centennial … [Read more...] about Gates, Bauer, Manus earn repeat all-district first-team honors

‘Grandpa’ Richtsmeier takes over as head coach of Ankeny bowling teams

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The new head coach of the Ankeny bowling teams has at least one thing in common with the program's previous coach. Lane Richtsmeier has been hired to replace Hannah Munson, who moved to Fort Dodge after coaching at Ankeny for one season. The duo previously bowled together at Grand View. "We entered the same year, but I was not your traditional college … [Read more...] about ‘Grandpa’ Richtsmeier takes over as head coach of Ankeny bowling teams

Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Sophie Lee and Jeanne Peters

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Seniors Sophie Lee and Jeanne Peters were two of the top runners this season on the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team. They helped the Jaguars to a runner-up finish in the CIML Central Conference meet on Oct. 17 at DMACC. Lee and Peters both joined the varsity team as freshmen in 2016, when they helped Centennial to an eighth-place finish in the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Sophie Lee and Jeanne Peters

Winters’ kill clinches Summit League crown, sends Denver to NCAA Tourney

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Ari Winters and the University of Denver volleyball team are headed to the NCAA Tournament. Winters, a former Ankeny Centennial star, helped the Pioneers to their fifth Summit League Tournament championship in program history on Sunday at Hamilton Gymnasium in Denver. The freshman outside hitter had four kills, seven block assists and four digs as Denver … [Read more...] about Winters’ kill clinches Summit League crown, sends Denver to NCAA Tourney

Geiger, Legg help Augustana reach 2nd round of NCAA Tournament

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The Augustana women's soccer team lost to a familiar opponent in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The fourth-seeded Vikings dropped a 1-0 decision to top-seeded and 13th-ranked MInnesota State, their rival in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Mavericks (18-3-1) won their third match of the season over Augustana (16-5-1) to … [Read more...] about Geiger, Legg help Augustana reach 2nd round of NCAA Tournament

Young Jaguars will need to get key contributions from several players

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For much of the last three seasons, Kenna Sauer and Rachel Schon were the faces of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball program. The duo led the Jaguars to a 51-18 record during that stretch, but have now taken their talents to the collegiate level. Sauer is playing volleyball at Missouri, while Schon is averaging 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game … [Read more...] about Young Jaguars will need to get key contributions from several players

Hawkins leads miraculous rally; Central advances to 2nd round of playoffs

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Blaine Hawkins and the Central College football team didn't flinch when the Dutch fell behind at halftime, 31-7, in the opening round of the NCAA Division III playoffs on Saturday. All they did was pull off one of the most miraculous victories in school history. Hawkins led a stirring comeback that culminated in a game-tying touchdown with 16 seconds … [Read more...] about Hawkins leads miraculous rally; Central advances to 2nd round of playoffs

Riordan, Reiter help Simpson to win in highest scoring Div. III game ever

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Former Ankeny players Conor Riordan and Adam Reiter combined for 77 points Saturday in the highest scoring men's basketball game in NCAA Division III history. Riordan made two free throws with 6 seconds left in overtime to give Simpson College a 161-160 victory over Greenville in the Carroll Pre-Thanksgiving Tournament at Waukesha, Wis. The combined … [Read more...] about Riordan, Reiter help Simpson to win in highest scoring Div. III game ever

Deets pours in 39 points, leads Mason City girls past Ankeny in season opener

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Both the Ankeny and Mason City girls' basketball teams entered Friday's season opener with some question marks. The Mohawks, who are 13th in Class 4A in the preseason rankings, appear to have found some answers. Anna Deets made six of her team's 11 3-point goals and poured in 39 points to lead Mason City to an 83-61 victory at Ankeny. The senior guard … [Read more...] about Deets pours in 39 points, leads Mason City girls past Ankeny in season opener

Ankeny girls look for up-tempo attack to overcome lack of height

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When the Ankeny girls' basketball team opens the season on Friday against visiting Mason City, the Hawkettes will try to make up for their lack of height with an up-tempo attack. Ankeny will no longer be able to rely on all-state forward Sara McCullough, who is now playing for Northern Iowa. The Hawkettes will also be without junior forward Abby Johnson … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls look for up-tempo attack to overcome lack of height

Centennial’s Fontana named Class 4A assistant football coach of the year

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Mike Fontana didn't think too much of it when he was nominated for the Class 4A assistant football coach of the year award. About a week ago, the longtime Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny assistant was told that he had won the honor from the Iowa Football Coaches Association. "I was like, 'Really. Is this for real?'" Fontana said. "It just made me think … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Fontana named Class 4A assistant football coach of the year

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Colin Riggs, Ankeny football

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Junior quarterback Colin Riggs helped the Ankeny football team to a 7-4 record this season. Riggs completed 10-of-12 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns while serving as the backup to Jase Bauer. He also ran five times for 47 yards and another score. Riggs made his presence felt during the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs, when he replaced … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Colin Riggs, Ankeny football

Robinson, Schrader, Vacek unanimously named to all-conference first team

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No volleyball team in Iowa was able to defeat Class 5A state champion Cedar Falls this season. However, if you combined the eight members of the CIML Central Conference first team, that might be a squad that could knock off the Tigers. Just imagine Ankeny junior Phyona Schrader setting the ball for Ankeny Centennial senior Devyn Robinson, and the damage … [Read more...] about Robinson, Schrader, Vacek unanimously named to all-conference first team

Reiter, Riordan enjoy ‘great experience’ despite 45-point loss at Drake

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There was no way Conor Riordan was going to sit out Sunday's exhibition men's basketball game at Drake. The Simpson College point guard from Ankeny injured his right hand during Saturday's win over Westminster (Mo.) at Storm Lake, but he was back on the court less than 24 hours later as the Storm dropped a 98-53 decision at the Knapp Center. "I'm going … [Read more...] about Reiter, Riordan enjoy ‘great experience’ despite 45-point loss at Drake