Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for June 2023

Ankeny, Centennial softball teams earn No. 1 seeds for Class 5A regional play

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The Class 5A regional softball pairings have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Both top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 3 Ankeny earned No. 1 seeds in their respective regions. The Jaguars (22-4) will host Des Moines East (6-26) or Des Moines North (0-17) in a Region 4 semifinal on Saturday, July 8 at 7 p.m. Ames (19-13) will … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial softball teams earn No. 1 seeds for Class 5A regional play

Hawks top S.E. Polk, complete sweep of season series behind Halverson, Watson

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When the Class 4A substate baseball pairings are announced next week, fourth-ranked Southeast Polk will be among the CIML Conference teams that could earn a No. 1 seed. But even if that happens, the Rams likely won't want to see Ankeny in their bracket. The Hawks got a brilliant pitching performance from sophomore Zach Halverson and posted a 5-1 … [Read more...] about Hawks top S.E. Polk, complete sweep of season series behind Halverson, Watson

Jaguars move closer to CIML Conference crown after splitting twinbill with Valley

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Despite suffering its first loss in CIML Conference play, the Ankeny Centennial softball team moved closer to the league crown on Wednesday. The top-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 13-3 victory over No. 7 Valley in six innings before the visiting Tigers salvaged a split of the doubleheader with a 9-3 triumph in the nightcap. "We've been working really hard … [Read more...] about Jaguars move closer to CIML Conference crown after splitting twinbill with Valley

EASTON PRIDE: Miller returns, Pratt hurls gem in Jaguars’ sweep over Valley

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Easton Miller didn't enjoy watching his Ankeny Centennial baseball teammates succeed without him. On Wednesday night, the senior centerfielder rejoined the Jaguars' lineup and helped his squad to a doubleheader sweep over visiting Valley. "It was hard," said Miller. "I was kind of bummed out at the wins that they got. It was a long week, but I'm glad … [Read more...] about EASTON PRIDE: Miller returns, Pratt hurls gem in Jaguars’ sweep over Valley

‘We just didn’t make enough plays’: Ankeny lets lead slip away at Fort Dodge

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One bad inning proved to be costly for the Ankeny softball team. The second-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 7-3 decision in a non-conference game on Wednesday at Fort Dodge, the No. 3 team in Class 4A. The Dodgers scored all seven of their runs in the sixth inning to erase a 2-0 deficit. Ankeny committed five errors in the loss, leading to four unearned … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t make enough plays’: Ankeny lets lead slip away at Fort Dodge

Sandvig sets school record for HBPs, helps Hawks earn split at Linn-Mar

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Senior Ben Sandvig is more than willing to wear a pitch for the Ankeny baseball team. Sandvig was hit by a pair of pitches and scored two runs to help the Hawks to a 5-3 victory at Linn-Mar (Marion) in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday. He has now been plunked 17 times this season, breaking the school record of 15 that was … [Read more...] about Sandvig sets school record for HBPs, helps Hawks earn split at Linn-Mar

Ankeny girls’ track coach Jumper named At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A

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Ankeny girls' track coach T.J. Jumper has been named an At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A. Jumper guided Ankeny to a fifth-place finish in last month's state meet at Drake Stadium. The Hawkettes finished with 50 points. Ankeny trailed eventual champion Waukee Northwest by a single point heading into the final day of the meet. "As a team, you … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ track coach Jumper named At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A

Ankeny boys’ track coach Mullen named At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A

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Ankeny boys' track coach Jordan Mullen has been named an At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A after leading the Hawks to a runner-up finish at the state meet in his first season at the school. Ankeny battled CIML Conference rival Johnston down to the wire before the Dragons captured the Class 4A crown with 84 points. The Hawks finished with 80 … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ track coach Mullen named At-Large Coach of the Year in Class 4A

No. 1 Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic twice, complete sweep of season series

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For the first time this season, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team was forced to battle deep into the late innings in both ends of a doubleheader on Monday. The top-ranked Jaguars went on to sweep No. 5 Dowling Catholic by scores of 2-1 and 5-1 on their home field, completing a sweep of the season series. They improved to 14-2 in the CIML Conference and … [Read more...] about No. 1 Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic twice, complete sweep of season series

Hawks top Johnston on walk-off single in 9th inning; Dragons sweep next 2 games

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It's going to be a long week for the Ankeny baseball team. Monday's trip to Johnston was just the beginning of a six-day stretch where the Hawks will play nearly every day. Ankeny posted a 3-2 victory in nine innings in the completion of a game that was suspended due to rain on May 30. The third-ranked Dragons then followed with a pair of victories, … [Read more...] about Hawks top Johnston on walk-off single in 9th inning; Dragons sweep next 2 games

Dickey inducted into Iowa High School Golf Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame

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The late Toni Dickey was one of several coaches inducted into the Iowa High School Golf Coaches' Association Hall of Fame on Monday at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. Dickey, who passed away last August at the age of 63, coached the Ankeny girls' golf team for 31 years before retiring after the 2017 season. She compiled a record of 1,114-590 during her … [Read more...] about Dickey inducted into Iowa High School Golf Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame

Kennedy hits her 9th home run, but Jaguars fall to Waukee NW in 9 innings

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team remains unbeaten in the CIML Conference, despite Monday's loss at Waukee Northwest. Ava Smith hit a walk-off home run with two outs in the ninth inning to give third-ranked Northwest a 2-1 victory over the No. 1 Jaguars. The contest was a non-conference game because the two teams had already played a conference … [Read more...] about Kennedy hits her 9th home run, but Jaguars fall to Waukee NW in 9 innings

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mariah Belzer, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Senior shortstop Mariah Belzer has helped the Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 21-2 record and a No. 1 ranking in Class 5A. Belzer is batting .380 with two home runs, five doubles and 16 RBIs. She has also stolen seven bases in seven attempts. Here is some inside info on Belzer: Congratulations on an outstanding season thus far. What has been … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Mariah Belzer, Ankeny Centennial softball

‘The school is amazing’: Ankeny’s Gage commits to play hoops at St. Thomas

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Ankeny girls' basketball standout Savannah Gage has had more time to consider her college options while she recovers from an ACL Injury. On Saturday, the junior-to-be announced her verbal commitment to the University of St. Thomas in the Twin Cities. "I had several different opportunities to play at the Division I level, and I am grateful for each and … [Read more...] about ‘The school is amazing’: Ankeny’s Gage commits to play hoops at St. Thomas

Hawkettes advance to title game of Fort Dodge Invite before getting rained out

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The only thing that could slow down the Ankeny softball team on Saturday was an untimely visit from Mother Nature. The second-ranked Hawkettes advanced to the championship game of the Fort Dodge Invitational before the tournament was called off due to rain. "We played our best softball of the year," said Ankeny coach Dave Bingham. "The culture is so … [Read more...] about Hawkettes advance to title game of Fort Dodge Invite before getting rained out

Jaguars celebrate Delaney’s birthday by sweeping doubleheader at Cedar Falls

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The players on the Ankeny Centennial softball team wanted to make sure that coach Brett Delaney enjoyed his birthday on Friday. The top-ranked Jaguars did their part by sweeping a non-conference doubleheader at Cedar Falls. They rallied for a 4-3 win in the opener before completing the sweep with a 14-5 triumph. "We’re always motivated to take the win, … [Read more...] about Jaguars celebrate Delaney’s birthday by sweeping doubleheader at Cedar Falls

‘There’s a lot of games left’: No. 1 Jaguars split at Urbandale, stay in first place

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The race for the CIML Conference baseball championship is far from over. Top-ranked Ankeny Centennial romped to a 12-1 victory in six innings in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday at Urbandale, but the J-Hawks rebounded with a 2-1 win in the nightcap. Centennial continues to lead the league standings with a 12-2 record, but No. 3 Johnston … [Read more...] about ‘There’s a lot of games left’: No. 1 Jaguars split at Urbandale, stay in first place

Gerstel closes out Hawks’ victory over Waukee in first game of twinbill split

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At the end of another long week, the Ankeny baseball team needed somebody to eat some innings on the mound. Travis Gerstel answered the call. The sophomore righthander made his varsity debut on Thursday, tossing three scoreless innings to close out the Hawks' 6-3 victory over visiting Waukee in the first game of a doubleheader. "Warming up in the … [Read more...] about Gerstel closes out Hawks’ victory over Waukee in first game of twinbill split