Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for March 2020

‘It’s not realistic to go back’: UNI’s Brooks won’t take another year of eligibility

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The NCAA's Division I Council voted on Monday to allow schools to provide spring-sport student-athletes an additional season of competition and an extension of their period of eligibility due to the coronavirus. The decision, however, won't extend the softball career of Northern Iowa outfielder Olivia Brooks. The former Ankeny standout is already … [Read more...] about ‘It’s not realistic to go back’: UNI’s Brooks won’t take another year of eligibility

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Colby Cheney, Ankeny boys’ soccer

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Senior defender/midfielder Colby Cheney helped the Ankeny boys' soccer team to a 12-7 record last season. The Hawks advanced to the Class 3A state tournament before dropping a 2-1 decision to Iowa City West in the quarterfinals. Cheney has committed to play for Simpson College next year. Here is some inside info on Cheney: What was your reaction … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Colby Cheney, Ankeny boys’ soccer

‘I think we played in a similar way’: Ex-AHS great Sears compares Hawks’ title teams

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team went on its magical postseason run earlier this month, perhaps nobody enjoyed it more than former Ankeny great Ryan Sears. Sears, who has lived in Omaha for the last five years, watched from afar as the Hawks captured the second state title in school history. "The way they came out and played (in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘I think we played in a similar way’: Ex-AHS great Sears compares Hawks’ title teams

Bayless, McCullough named to Register’s Class 4A all-state first team

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Ankeny's Braxton Bayless and Ankeny Centennial's Cody McCullough racked up some more postseason honors on Friday. The two boys' basketball standouts were both named to the Class 4A all-state first team by The Des Moines Register. The duo was previously selected to the Class 4A first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Bayless, a senior … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough named to Register’s Class 4A all-state first team

Scherle to follow in great-grandfather’s footsteps, will play for Wartburg College

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Growing up as a multi-sport athlete, Nick Scherle heard a lot of stories about Wartburg College. Now, he'll get a chance to make his own memories at the private Lutheran liberal arts college in Waverly. Scherle, whose great-grandfather was an all-conference defensive lineman for Wartburg, has committed to play football for the Knights. "I originally … [Read more...] about Scherle to follow in great-grandfather’s footsteps, will play for Wartburg College

Ankeny, Centennial to face grueling football schedules in 2020

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The 2020 regular season schedules for all Iowa high school football teams have been released by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. District and group assignments were posted in February, following Board of Control approval. This arrangement is in place for just one year, as opposed to the usual two-year football cycle. Class 4A has also … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial to face grueling football schedules in 2020

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Katie Petersen, Centennial girls’ track

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Ankeny Centennial senior Katie Petersen is one of the state's top returning hurdlers. She placed fourth in the 100 hurdles at last year's Class 4A state meet in a time of 14.77 seconds. Petersen also ran on the fourth-place shuttle hurdle relay, the fifth-place sprint medley relay that set a school record and the sixth-place distance medley relay. The … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Katie Petersen, Centennial girls’ track

Ex-Jaguar Williams commits to play for Division II school in Florida

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One of the reasons Keanna Williams wanted to play for Mineral Area College was to get away from home. Now, the former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout will be moving even farther away. Williams announced on social media Friday that she has committed to play for Nova Southeastern University, an NCAA Division II school in Fort Lauderdale, … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Williams commits to play for Division II school in Florida

‘The great ones adapt’: Spring sports athletes, coaches dealing with COVID-19

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Ashley Harrington found out during her spring break trip to the Dominican Republic that her final soccer season at Ankeny High School could be in jeopardy. "I didn't truly realize this pandemic could affect the season until I got an email from (coach) Simon (Brown) regarding the IGHSAU restrictions," Harrington said. "I'm not currently in the U.S. so I … [Read more...] about ‘The great ones adapt’: Spring sports athletes, coaches dealing with COVID-19

Ankeny two-sport star Brecht narrows his list of schools to Iowa, Iowa State

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Ankeny football and baseball star Brody Brecht has decided to stay close to home. The junior wide receiver and hard-throwing pitcher announced on Twitter Thursday that he has narrowed his list of schools to Iowa and Iowa State. "Appreciate all the schools who have believed in me, but I will be focusing on these two," Brecht tweeted. Iowa's football … [Read more...] about Ankeny two-sport star Brecht narrows his list of schools to Iowa, Iowa State

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ben McDermott, ACA boys’ basketball

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Sophomore Ben McDermott was one of the top reserves this season for the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team. He helped the Eagles to a 21-4 record. McDermott averaged 6.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. He also racked up 33 steals and 11 blocks. McDermott placed fourth on the team with 35 3-point goals. He shot 30.4 percent from behind … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Ben McDermott, ACA boys’ basketball

Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

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Four of the state's top 24 boys' basketball players in Class 4A played for either state champion Ankeny or CIML Central Conference champ Ankeny Centennial, according to the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Senior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny and senior forward Cody McCullough of Centennial were both selected to the Class 4A all-state first team … [Read more...] about Bayless, McCullough, Crews, Johnson earn all-state honors from IPSWA

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaron Crews, Centennial boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Jaron Crews helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to a 24-3 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. He was a unanimous pick to the CIML Central Conference first team. Crews averaged 13.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. He led the Jaguars with 51 3-point goals and 115 assists. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jaron Crews, Centennial boys’ basketball

Centennial trio, Ankeny’s Bayless named to Central Conference first team

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team dominated the CIML Central Conference during the regular season. That probably explains why the Jaguars dominated the all-conference teams that were voted on by the league's coaches. Senior forwards Cody McCullough and Micah Johnson as well as junior guard Jaron Crews were all unanimous picks to the first … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny’s Bayless named to Central Conference first team

‘Everybody sees us as the underdog’: Hawks prove they’re the class of 4A

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Waukee's length provided a matchup problem for the Ankeny boys' basketball team in Friday's Class 4A championship game. But the Warriors faced some bigger problems of their own--like how to deal with Ankeny's speed and deadly outside shooting. The sixth-seeded Hawks completed an amazing run to the state title by making 10-of-17 3-point shots and … [Read more...] about ‘Everybody sees us as the underdog’: Hawks prove they’re the class of 4A