Ankeny football standout Brecken Manus is headed to the Show-Me state. The senior linebacker announced on Monday that he has verbally committed to play for Missouri Western. "It was not a hard decision at all," said Manus. "The first time I got to the campus, I knew I could see myself at Missouri Western." Manus also had offers from Wayne State and … [Read more...] about ‘It was a no-brainer’: Ankeny linebacker Manus to play for Missouri Western
Archives for December 2020
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maggie Phipps, Centennial girls’ hoops
Senior guard Maggie Phipps scored 18 points to lead the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to a 69-23 victory at Fort Dodge in its season opener on Friday. She had a trio of 3-point goals. Phipps transferred to Centennial after earning all-state honors last year at North Polk, where she led the Comets to a 21-6 record and a runner-up finish in the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maggie Phipps, Centennial girls’ hoops
Jaguars roll past 3 opponents, win Centennial Duals for 4th straight year
Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Duals wrestling tournament was limited to four teams due to COVID-19 protocols. The Jaguars still dominated their own event, claiming the title for the fourth straight year. Centennial improved its overall record to 4-0 with three lopsided victories. The Jaguars rolled to a 66-15 win over Newton, cruised to a 52-25 triumph … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past 3 opponents, win Centennial Duals for 4th straight year
Ankeny native Rhoads named interim head coach after Arizona fires Sumlin
Former Iowa State head football coach and Ankeny native Paul Rhoads has been named the interim head coach at Arizona following Saturday's firing of head coach Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin was let go one day after the Wildcats' 70-7 loss to rival Arizona State. Arizona is 0-5 this season after dropping its final seven games last year. Rhoads served as Iowa … [Read more...] about Ankeny native Rhoads named interim head coach after Arizona fires Sumlin
Centennial boys rout Fort Dodge, score most points ever in season opener
By the end of the third quarter on Friday, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team had already scored its most points ever in a season-opening game. The ninth-ranked Jaguars used a 35-point period to build a 77-38 advantage after three quarters at Fort Dodge. They went on to post a 95-40 victory over the Dodgers, just two points shy of the school … [Read more...] about Centennial boys rout Fort Dodge, score most points ever in season opener
‘I knew I had to get in the lane’: Simonsen draws charge to seal Hawks’ victory
As a defensive lineman on the Ankeny football team, Braden Simonsen did a lot of the dirty work in the trenches to help the Hawks to the Class 4A state title. On Friday, Simonsen showed that he can do the dirty work on the basketball court, too. The junior post player stepped in front of Mason City's Cory Miner and drew a charging foul with 2 seconds … [Read more...] about ‘I knew I had to get in the lane’: Simonsen draws charge to seal Hawks’ victory
Jaguars jump out to 15-0 lead, roll to season-opening win at Fort Dodge
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team appears to have a lot of depth. The seventh-ranked Jaguars also have the ability to get up and down the court. Centennial got its transition game going on Friday and rolled to a 69-23 victory at Fort Dodge in its season opener. "We turned the ball over a little too much, but we saw some glimpses of what … [Read more...] about Jaguars jump out to 15-0 lead, roll to season-opening win at Fort Dodge
Hawkettes overcome ‘tricky situation’, romp past Mason City in opener
The Ankeny girls' basketball team got double-digit scoring from four different players and opened its season with a 71-47 victory at Mason City on Friday. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly often stresses the importance of having three players score in double figures. Four is even better. "I think our winning percentage is definitely way higher when we have … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome ‘tricky situation’, romp past Mason City in opener
Crouch returns to ‘special’ place, guides Hawk swimmers past Dowling
Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch always enjoys going back to his old stomping grounds. Thursday's visit to the Dowling Catholic pool was especially enjoyable for the former Maroons' swimmer. Crouch guided the Hawks to a 105-65 victory over Dowling in their season opener. "With everything going on and the unknown of if or when we would get … [Read more...] about Crouch returns to ‘special’ place, guides Hawk swimmers past Dowling
Jaguars record 6 falls, open their season with 50-21 victory at Ottumwa
The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers made their long-awaited season debut on the mat Thursday, rolling to a 50-21 victory in a dual meet at Ottumwa. The Jaguars racked up six pins en route to the win. They handed Ottumwa (8-1) its first loss of the season. "First of all, it was great to be back on the mat competing," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "Our … [Read more...] about Jaguars record 6 falls, open their season with 50-21 victory at Ottumwa
‘It’s good to be back’: Ankeny bowlers sweep Dowling Catholic in opener
The season got off to a good start for the Ankeny bowling teams on Thursday. Both squads defeated Dowling Catholic in a dual meet at Val Lanes. "It's good to be back," said Ankeny coach Lane Richtsmeier. "At the start of the school year, I wasn't sure if this season was going to happen or not. There has definitely been some challenges for sure, as this … [Read more...] about ‘It’s good to be back’: Ankeny bowlers sweep Dowling Catholic in opener
State champion Hawks are No. 9 in Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today
A 10-game winning streak to close out the season has vaulted the Ankeny football team into the Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today. The Hawks are ninth in the latest rankings. They capped off an 11-1 season with a 42-14 victory over top-ranked Southeast Polk in the Class 4A championship game last month at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Ankeny has racked … [Read more...] about State champion Hawks are No. 9 in Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny volleyball team
Perhaps no high school sport has been more synonymous with the community of Ankeny than the game of volleyball. Ankeny High School captured four state championships in a six-year period from 2004-09. Following the split into two high schools in 2013, Ankeny Centennial quickly claimed four titles in a five-year stretch from 2014-18. "It's fantastic to … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny volleyball team
COMMITTED: Ankeny QB Bauer to play for Central Michigan
Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer did everything he could to land a Power Five offer. He decided that he couldn't wait any longer. Bauer verbally committed to play football for Central Michigan on Tuesday. He announced his decision via Twitter. "This process has truly been a blessing for me and my family," Bauer tweeted. "I want to give thanks to the … [Read more...] about COMMITTED: Ankeny QB Bauer to play for Central Michigan
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ basketball
Senior Colin McAleer is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team, which will open its season on Friday at Fort Dodge. A wing player, McAleer averaged 7.3 points per game as a junior while helping the Jaguars to a 24-3 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. McAleer connected on 37.5 percent … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ basketball
Four Ankeny players named to Register’s all-Iowa elite football team
Four of the state's top 24 football players--according to The Des Moines Register--played for Class 4A state champion Ankeny. A quartet of seniors--quarterback Jase Bauer, running back Arland Bruce IV, receiver Brody Brecht and linebacker Brecken Manus--has been named to the Register's all-Iowa elite team. They led the Hawks to an 11-1 record, capped off … [Read more...] about Four Ankeny players named to Register’s all-Iowa elite football team
Hawk wrestlers look to continue Ankeny’s recent run of championship success
Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall is anxious to get back on the mat with his team. Wignall saw enough during the Hawks' first week of practice last month to know that this is the most talented squad he's ever had. "We are very balanced at each weight with talent and depth. That is something we haven’t always had," said Wignall. "Sometimes we … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers look to continue Ankeny’s recent run of championship success
‘There is a lot of work still to be done’: Ankeny swimmers seek another crown
There may not be another boys' swimming team in the state with as much elite talent as Ankeny's foursome of Trent Frandson, Weston Miner, Brek Stukerjurgen and Lance Swanepoel. That quartet alone will likely put the Hawks into contention for the state title in February. "I do think that we have a lot of talent returning," said Ankeny coach Justin … [Read more...] about ‘There is a lot of work still to be done’: Ankeny swimmers seek another crown
Johnson named player of the year by Iowa Golf Coaches Association
Ankeny senior Hunter Johnson has been named the state's player of the year by the Iowa Golf Coaches Association. Johnson enjoyed a tremendous season for the Hawks. He finished the 2020 campaign ranked first in the individual season rankings. Johnson tied for third place and finished fourth after a cardoff in the Class 4A state meet. He posted a two-day … [Read more...] about Johnson named player of the year by Iowa Golf Coaches Association
Naylor, Vogt receive outstanding service awards from IHSADA
Gary Naylor and Lynn Vogt of Ankeny are among the recipients of this year's outstanding service awards from the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association. Naylor has served as a sports public address announcer for over 30 years, becoming the voice of both the Ankeny Hawks and the Ankeny Centennial Jaguars. For the past six years, he has been the PA … [Read more...] about Naylor, Vogt receive outstanding service awards from IHSADA