Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for March 2022

Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association

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Girls' basketball standouts Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny have received all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Murray, a senior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. Pitz, a junior guard, was a third-team selection. Murray led the Jaguars to a 20-4 record and a repeat appearance in the Class … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association

Elite sprinter Miller one of many strengths for Ankeny boys’ track team

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Tyrese Miller and the Ankeny boys' track team are ready to make some noise this season. Miller, one of the state's top sprinters, helped the Hawks to a 15th-place finish in last year's Class 4A state meet. He is among the team's 11 returning state qualifiers. "Tyrese had a great junior season and is poised to have a great senior campaign," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Elite sprinter Miller one of many strengths for Ankeny boys’ track team

With 115 girls out and 12 state qualifiers returning, Jaguars have a lot of options

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team has grown by more than 40 percent. "We have 115 kids out right now, up from 80 last year," said Centennial coach Andrew Kruzich. "We've had a massive jump, which is exciting and challenging." The Jaguars, who are slated to compete in the UNI Indoor Meet on Monday at Cedar Falls, placed 14th in last year's Class … [Read more...] about With 115 girls out and 12 state qualifiers returning, Jaguars have a lot of options

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior post player Braden Simonsen has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 19-4 record and a berth in this week's Class 4A state tournament. He had four points, five rebounds and two blocks as the Hawks defeated Waukee, 62-57, in a substate final on Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Simonsen is averaging 6.3 points and 3.9 rebounds … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Grand View’s Flatness places 8th at NAIA Indoor Meet, earns all-American honors

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Former Ankeny thrower Sydney Flatness has been dreaming of being an all-American for a long time. The Grand View University senior finally reached her goal on Saturday at Brookings, S.D. Flatness placed eighth in the shot put at the NAIA Indoor National Championships to earn all-American honors. "I am elated. I’ve been dreaming of this since my … [Read more...] about Grand View’s Flatness places 8th at NAIA Indoor Meet, earns all-American honors

Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks

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Guards Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny were both unanimous picks to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. Murray and Pitz led their teams to a share of the conference title this season. Ankeny and Centennial tied for the crown with Waukee Northwest. Murray, a senior, helped … [Read more...] about Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks

‘It was a grind’: Ankeny boys top Warriors, will play Johnston in 4A quarterfinals

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A year ago, the Waukee boys' basketball team ended Ankeny's bid for a second consecutive Class 4A state title with a 74-54 victory in a substate final. On Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes, the ninth-ranked Hawks returned the favor. Ankeny pulled away in the third quarter and then held on to beat the defending state champion Warriors, 62-57, in a … [Read more...] about ‘It was a grind’: Ankeny boys top Warriors, will play Johnston in 4A quarterfinals

‘It feels so good’: Hawks hold off Waukee, advance to state tourney for 17th time

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the 17th time. The ninth-ranked Hawks posted a 62-57 victory over Waukee in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes. The game featured 13 lead changes. "It feels so good going back to state," said Ankeny junior Karson Wehde, whose basket early in the third … [Read more...] about ‘It feels so good’: Hawks hold off Waukee, advance to state tourney for 17th time

‘We knew it was a tough draw’: Talented Wahawks end Centennial’s bid for crown

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The Class 5A field for this year's girls' state basketball tournament might be one of the best ever. It's certainly the deepest. Sixth-ranked Waterloo West showed that it may be the most talented team in Class 5A with a 67-59 victory over No. 3 Ankeny Centennial in the quarterfinals on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Wahawks (22-2) advanced to … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it was a tough draw’: Talented Wahawks end Centennial’s bid for crown

Wahawks top Centennial 25 years after Ankeny’s epic five-OT win against West

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Before they coached against each other on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena, girls' basketball coaches Scott DeJong of Ankeny Centennial and Dr. Anthony Pappas of Waterloo West had a few moments to reminisce. It was 25 years ago that the two coaches battled in an epic state tournament game at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, which was also known as "The … [Read more...] about Wahawks top Centennial 25 years after Ankeny’s epic five-OT win against West

‘We left it all out on the court’: Jaguars fall to hot-shooting Waterloo West, 67-59

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team didn't go down without a fight. The third-ranked Jaguars made several runs in the second half but came up short against No. 6 Waterloo West, 67-59, in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Monday at Wells Fargo Arena. "I think we left it all out on the court," said Centennial senior Cleao … [Read more...] about ‘We left it all out on the court’: Jaguars fall to hot-shooting Waterloo West, 67-59