Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for May 2023

Hawkettes settle for 2nd in DMR, trail Waukee NW by 1 point in 4A team race

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Ankeny's Zoe Shadravan couldn't watch the final section of the girls' Class 4A distance medley relay on Friday at Drake Stadium. The defending champion Hawkettes had just won the second section in a time of 4:05.63, but they had to await the results of the fastest heat to determine their final placing. Shadravan and teammates Lillian Smith, Sophie … [Read more...] about Hawkettes settle for 2nd in DMR, trail Waukee NW by 1 point in 4A team race

Bettendorf rallies from 8-2 deficit to earn walk-off win over Ankeny in 9 innings

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The Ankeny baseball team's first road trip of the season resulted in a disappointing loss. The Hawks built an 8-2 lead before Bettendorf rallied for a 10-9 victory in nine innings on Thursday. The Bulldogs (3-0) scored three runs in the fifth and three more in the seventh to force extra innings, then walked it off in the ninth. "We played really well … [Read more...] about Bettendorf rallies from 8-2 deficit to earn walk-off win over Ankeny in 9 innings

Ankeny boys place 3rd in DMR, 4×200 relays, stay in Class 4A title contention

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A pair of top-three finishes helped keep the Ankeny boys' track team in contention for the Class 4A state title on Friday at Drake Stadium. The Hawks sit in fourth place with 30 points heading into the final day of the meet. Johnston leads the Class 4A field with 47 points, followed by Linn-Mar (Marion) with 45 and Iowa City High with 41. There are … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys place 3rd in DMR, 4×200 relays, stay in Class 4A title contention

‘It feels amazing!’: Pratt leaps to first individual state title in Jaguars’ history

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Ankeny Centennial's Jaeden Pratt wasn't even planning to go out for track until her basketball teammate, Mya Crawford, talked her into it. Now, the sophomore owns the distinction of becoming the first individual girls' state track champion in program history. Pratt won the Class 4A long jump on Friday at Drake Stadium with a leap of 18 feet 1 inch. Her … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing!’: Pratt leaps to first individual state title in Jaguars’ history

‘It’s something I’ll never forget’: Ankeny’s Belding races to 4A state crown in 400

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A year ago, Ankeny's Jack Belding watched as teammate Tyrese Miller raced to a victory in the 400 at the Class 4A state meet. On Thursday at Drake Stadium, Belding accomplished the same feat. The junior came out of Lane 2 to win the event in a time of 47.94 seconds. He nearly broke the school record of 47.91 that Miller set at last year's Drake … [Read more...] about ‘It’s something I’ll never forget’: Ankeny’s Belding races to 4A state crown in 400

Ankeny girls capture 4×800 relay title, take Class 4A lead with 27 points

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Alli Macke could hardly walk after anchoring Ankeny's 4x800 relay team to a Class 4A state title on Thursday at Drake Stadium. "It really takes a toll on my body, but it's totally worth it to be standing here as state champs with my best friends," said Macke. The sophomore teamed up with Sophie Loeffler, Reagan Prendergast and Drew Beason to win the … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls capture 4×800 relay title, take Class 4A lead with 27 points

Hawks earn split against No. 6 Pleasant Valley with 2-1 victory in nightcap

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A season-opening split was just fine with Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz. The Hawks kicked off the 2023 season on Wednesday by splitting a non-conference twinbill against visiting Pleasant Valley, the No. 6 team in Class 4A. After dropping a 5-3 decision in the opener, Ankeny rebounded with a 2-1 win in the nightcap. The Spartans (2-1), who won the … [Read more...] about Hawks earn split against No. 6 Pleasant Valley with 2-1 victory in nightcap

SOFTBALL CAN WAIT: Drefke shoots an 81, qualifies for state golf meet

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team will have to wait a little longer for Payton Drefke to make her season debut. Drefke, a starting outfielder for the Jaguars, earned her second consecutive trip to the girls' Class 4A state golf meet on Wednesday. The junior shot an 8-over-par 81 to place third in a regional meet at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. "I'm … [Read more...] about SOFTBALL CAN WAIT: Drefke shoots an 81, qualifies for state golf meet

Hawkette golfers place 5th in regional meet as Hagarty’s tenure at Ankeny ends

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The season ended on Wednesday for the Ankeny girls' golf team. A long trip to Waterloo for a Class 4A regional meet also marked the end of Seth Hagarty's coaching tenure at the school. Hagarty, who has also served as an assistant coach for the girls' basketball program, is moving back to Jesup this summer to be closer to both his and his wife's … [Read more...] about Hawkette golfers place 5th in regional meet as Hagarty’s tenure at Ankeny ends

Jaguars seek return to Class 5A state tournament after one-year absence

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After a one-year absence, the Ankeny Centennial softball team will be looking to return to Fort Dodge for the Class 5A state tournament this summer. The Jaguars placed third in Class 5A in 2020 and earned a runner-up finish in 2021. Last year, they advanced to a regional final before Linn-Mar (Marion) erupted for seven runs in the sixth inning to post a … [Read more...] about Jaguars seek return to Class 5A state tournament after one-year absence

Seniors shine as Jaguars close out regular season with 2-0 win over Waukee

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The seniors on the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team didn't want their Senior Night to be spoiled by a loss. Cady Compton scored a pair of goals, Averi Porter and Alanna Pennington each had an assist, and Kate Bergan made a pair of saves en route to her eighth shutout as the eighth-ranked Jaguars closed out the regular season on Tuesday with a 2-0 … [Read more...] about Seniors shine as Jaguars close out regular season with 2-0 win over Waukee

Deep, experienced Ankeny team boosted by additions of Johnson, Lewis

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The Ankeny softball team was already expected to have a deep and experienced roster. Now, the Hawkettes have been strengthened by the addition of some talented newcomers. Senior Kendra Lewis and junior Cassie Johnson have joined the program after previously focusing on club softball. Lewis has signed a letter of intent with Morehead State, while … [Read more...] about Deep, experienced Ankeny team boosted by additions of Johnson, Lewis

Jaguars earn trip to state team tourney with victory over rival Ankeny girls

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Six days ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team qualified all six of its players for the Class 2A individual state tournament. Now, the third-ranked Jaguars have qualified for the state team competition as well. Centennial posted a 5-0 victory over No. 10 Ankeny in a Class 2A regional final on Tuesday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn trip to state team tourney with victory over rival Ankeny girls

Oakie, Alberhasky combine on 2-hitter with 18 K’s in Jaguars’ 9-0 victory

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The hype surrounding the Ankeny Centennial baseball team appears to be justified--based on its season opener. Ranked second in Class 4A in the preseason rankings by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association, the Jaguars kicked off the 2023 campaign with a 9-0 victory over Webster City on Monday. The non-conference game was played at Walt Anderson … [Read more...] about Oakie, Alberhasky combine on 2-hitter with 18 K’s in Jaguars’ 9-0 victory

Hawks top Waterloo West, then tumble to No. 7 Mason City in substate semifinal

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The Ankeny boys' tennis team advanced to the semifinals of a Class 2A substate team tournament on Monday before dropping a 5-0 decision to host Mason City, the No. 7 team in Class 2A. The tournament was originally slated for Friday, but was postponed due to rain. The Hawks finished the season with a 2-9 record. "Mason City proved why they were the No. … [Read more...] about Hawks top Waterloo West, then tumble to No. 7 Mason City in substate semifinal

Ankeny golfers fall to S.E. Polk, will head to Waterloo next for regional meet

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The Ankeny girls' golf team closed out its dual-meet season on Monday with a 156-199 loss to third-ranked Southeast Polk at Otter Creek. The Hawkettes finished with a 0-8 record in the CIML Conference. "First, hats off to all of the Southeast Polk players and their coaches," said Ankeny coach Seth Hagarty. "They truly are a state championship caliber … [Read more...] about Ankeny golfers fall to S.E. Polk, will head to Waterloo next for regional meet

Murken returns to his baseball roots, helps build Rippey’s own Field of Dreams

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Mel Murken still has a deep love for the game of baseball. Anyone who attended Monday's season opener for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team could see that passion on full display. The second-ranked Jaguars posted a 9-0 victory over Webster City at Walt Anderson Field in Rippey, where Murken now lives in retirement. "It's an honor to play here," … [Read more...] about Murken returns to his baseball roots, helps build Rippey’s own Field of Dreams

Macke records hat trick, leads Ankeny girls past Iowa City West on Senior Night

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Alli Macke recorded a hat trick and the Ankeny girls' soccer team erupted for five goals in the second half to post a 5-0 victory over visiting Iowa City West in a non-conference game on Monday. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes finished the regular season with a 10-3-1 record. "We challenged the girls to have more conviction and passion the second half, and … [Read more...] about Macke records hat trick, leads Ankeny girls past Iowa City West on Senior Night

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Megan Yuan, Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis

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Junior Megan Yuan is one of six players on the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team to qualify for the Class 2A state tournament, which will be held on May 26-27 at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Center in Iowa City. Yuan and Samara Peterson defeated teammates Jenna Benkufsky and Ara Lofgren, 6-2, 6-3, to win a regional doubles title on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Megan Yuan, Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis