The Ankeny boys' golf team appears to be in a good spot as the postseason approaches. Crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial is also trending in the right direction. Both squads earned top-four finishes in the Southeast Polk Invitational on Wednesday at Copper Creek. The eighth-ranked Hawks placed third among 11 teams with a 297 total. "I know the entire … [Read more...] about Ankeny golfers place 3rd at S.E. Polk Invite behind Adams; Jaguars finish 4th
Archives for September 2023
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 232
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the first half of the volleyball season with Ankeny Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart and one of her top players, senior middle hitter Anna Sash. Ankeny Fanatic photographer Drue Wolfe also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 232
‘We did what we needed to do’: Ankeny overcomes lack of energy to sweep SEP
In a long season, there are some nights when the Ankeny volleyball team won't bring its "A" game. Tuesday was one of those nights. Still, the third-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 25-21, 25-14, 25-16 victory at Southeast Polk in a CIML Conference match. "I was hoping for a little more energy," said Ankeny coach Liz Baethke. "We came in kind of flat, … [Read more...] about ‘We did what we needed to do’: Ankeny overcomes lack of energy to sweep SEP
‘We just couldn’t win any races’: Ankeny swimmers drop 105-81 decision at Valley
The Ankeny girls' swimming team just couldn't get over the hump. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes lost several close races on Tuesday and dropped a 105-81 decision at No. 4 Valley in a CIML Conference dual meet. The Tigers captured every event, including a sweep of the top three places in the diving competition. Valley won five of the swimming events by … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t win any races’: Ankeny swimmers drop 105-81 decision at Valley
‘I thought we had a good day’: Hawks earn runner-up finish at Spray Invitational
For the fifth time this season, the Ankeny boys' golf team posted a score below 300 on Monday. The fourth-ranked Hawks shot a 298 and placed second among eight squads in the Steve Spray Invitational at the Indianola Country Club. No. 8 Southeast Polk won the meet with a 289 total. "I thought we had a good day today and was very happy with a … [Read more...] about ‘I thought we had a good day’: Hawks earn runner-up finish at Spray Invitational
Zuber takes 2nd at Heartland Classic, leads Hawk runners to 6th-place finish
Saturday's Heartland Classic at Central College in Pella provided a big challenge for the Ankeny boys' cross country team. Competing against 27 other squads, including six from out of state, the third-ranked Hawks placed sixth overall with 225 points. By comparison, they finished 10th a year ago in a field of 37 teams with 320 points. "The Heartland is … [Read more...] about Zuber takes 2nd at Heartland Classic, leads Hawk runners to 6th-place finish
‘It’s a different lineup every week’: Ankeny overcomes injuries to win Waukee title
As the injuries continue to pile up for the Ankeny volleyball team, the Hawkettes have still managed to enjoy success on the court. Third-ranked Ankeny defended its title on Saturday at the Waukee Invitational with a 25-18, 25-19 victory over the host Warriors. The Hawkettes (16-7) defeated No. 15 Waukee (8-14) for the third time this season. "We … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a different lineup every week’: Ankeny overcomes injuries to win Waukee title
Ankeny swimmers edge Pleasant Valley for 2nd place at Little Hawk Invitational
The Ankeny girls' swimming team won two events and placed second overall in the Little Hawk Invitational on Saturday at Mercer Park Aquatic Center in Iowa City. Iowa City West won the team title with 435.5 points. Ankeny finished with 349.5 points, edging Pleasant Valley (348) and Waukee (341) for the runner-up spot in the six-team field. "We had a … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers edge Pleasant Valley for 2nd place at Little Hawk Invitational
Revive Prep of the Week: Anja Peck, Ankeny girls’ swimming/ACHS girls’ XC
Senior Anja Peck has helped the seventh-ranked Ankeny girls' swimming team to a 3-2 dual record. She is currently ranked ninth in the state in the 200 individual medley and 11th in the 100 breaststroke. Peck is also a key member of the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country squad. She is a three-time state qualifier in that sport. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Prep of the Week: Anja Peck, Ankeny girls’ swimming/ACHS girls’ XC
‘This was our coming out party’: Hawks’ defense fuels 16-10 win over Johnston
Friday's game against visiting Johnston wasn't a must-win situation for the Ankeny football team. But a loss would have been the Hawks' third in a row, and could have severely damaged their playoff hopes. Ankeny responded with a huge defensive effort to post a 16-10 victory over the Dragons, leaving both squads at 2-2 after the first four weeks of the … [Read more...] about ‘This was our coming out party’: Hawks’ defense fuels 16-10 win over Johnston
‘Our kids fought their tails off’: Jaguars battle S.E. Polk to the wire in 24-21 loss
(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Ankeny Centennial football team proved on Friday night that it can go toe-to-toe with the state's No. 1 squad. The fourth-ranked Jaguars battled two-time defending state champion Southeast Polk down to the wire before dropping a 24-21 decision to the host Rams. “Our kids fought their tails off," said Centennial co-head … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids fought their tails off’: Jaguars battle S.E. Polk to the wire in 24-21 loss
Hawk golfers edge Waukee schools in triangular, finish 6-2 in CIML Conference
Only three strokes separated the Ankeny boys' golf team from two of its CIML Conference rivals on Thursday at Otter Creek. Fortunately for the Hawks, they came out on top in the triangular meet. Fifth-ranked Ankeny posted a score of 297 to edge No. 13 Waukee by one stroke. No. 7 Waukee Northwest was another two shots back with a 300. The Hawks … [Read more...] about Hawk golfers edge Waukee schools in triangular, finish 6-2 in CIML Conference
‘We had a great day today!’: Jaguars beat No. 4 S.E. Polk, place 2nd at August Invite
For the second day in a row, the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team took a big step forward. After shooting a season-best score on their home course Wednesday, the 12th-ranked Jaguars followed up with a second-place finish among 14 teams in the Joe August Invitational on Thursday at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. The host Bobcats won the … [Read more...] about ‘We had a great day today!’: Jaguars beat No. 4 S.E. Polk, place 2nd at August Invite
Centennial golfers shoot 303 on their home course for best score of season
The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team posted its best score of the season Wednesday during a triangular meet at Briarwood Golf Club. The 15th-ranked Jaguars shot a 303 on their home course, topping their previous best by three strokes. They lost to No. 9 Valley, which shot a 295, but easily defeated Urbandale, which finished with a 365. "I am very … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers shoot 303 on their home course for best score of season
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 231
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the Ankeny Centennial football team's huge win over Cedar Falls and previews the Jaguars' showdown at Southeast Polk with co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti and senior quarterback Trenton Smith. Coldwell Banker realtor Amy Wiederin … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 231
Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Jessica Rinehart, Centennial volleyball
The Jaguars' longtime coach guides the team to a four-set victory over Valley on Senior Night. … [Read more...] about Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Jessica Rinehart, Centennial volleyball
‘We knew it was going to be a battle’: Jags drop first set, then rally past Valley
Anna Sash and the other seniors on the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team had some business to take care of before getting a two-week break in the middle of the season. Sash had four kills and three blocks as the second-ranked Jaguars celebrated their Senior Night on Tuesday by posting a 21-25, 25-14, 25-9, 25-19 victory over No. 8 Valley in a CIML … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it was going to be a battle’: Jags drop first set, then rally past Valley
Centennial girls edge Hawkettes by 4 points to defend crown at Karpan Invite
Only one spot separates the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country teams in the latest Class 3A rankings from the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. Tuesday's Tom Karpan Invitational at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School showed that there isn't much of a gap between the two squads. Sixth-ranked Centennial edged No. 5 Ankeny by four … [Read more...] about Centennial girls edge Hawkettes by 4 points to defend crown at Karpan Invite
‘This was our best meet’: Ankeny tankers make progress in 125-61 loss to Dowling
The final score of Tuesday's dual meet at Trail Point Aquatics Center was deceiving. Even though the Dowling Catholic girls' swimming team posted a 125-61 victory over host Ankeny, coach Dustin Rhoads was happy with his team's performance. "This was our best meet as a whole so far," said Rhoads. "I am pleased with how we raced, and the times we put up … [Read more...] about ‘This was our best meet’: Ankeny tankers make progress in 125-61 loss to Dowling
‘It’s not a course you can fake your way around’: Hawks, Jags struggle at Veenker
One of the state's toughest courses proved to be a formidable challenge for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' golf teams on Monday. The seventh-ranked Hawks placed seventh among 18 teams in the Turk Bowman Invitational at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. They posted a score of 322, their highest of the season. "It was not a very good day for us," … [Read more...] about ‘It’s not a course you can fake your way around’: Hawks, Jags struggle at Veenker