Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for November 2023

With 7 returning state qualifiers, Ankeny swimmers look to contend for crowns

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Even with the graduation of Lance Swanepoel, the Ankeny boys' swimming team still boasts plenty of talent. The Hawks placed fourth in last year's state meet with 160 points, but will have to replace Swanepoel, who was named the Swim Athlete of the Year after winning both the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly to finish his career as a five-time state … [Read more...] about With 7 returning state qualifiers, Ankeny swimmers look to contend for crowns

‘It was a good fit in many ways’: Drefke picks golf over softball, commits to Augie

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For many high school athletes, finding the right college to compete at involves several different factors. The decision for Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke was even tougher. The golf and softball standout had to pick a sport, too. In the end, Drefke elected to focus on just one of the two. She will play golf at Augustana University (S.D.). "I … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good fit in many ways’: Drefke picks golf over softball, commits to Augie

‘There wasn’t anything about NIU that I didn’t like’: Akers commits to Huskies

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Ankeny wide receiver Devon Akers has verbally committed to play football at Northern Illinois. The 6-foot-6 Akers blossomed into one of the state's best deep-ball threats this season, catching 52 passes for 959 yards and eight touchdowns. He ranked second in Class 5A and 12th in the entire state in receiving yards. Akers helped Ankeny to a 9-4 record … [Read more...] about ‘There wasn’t anything about NIU that I didn’t like’: Akers commits to Huskies

Hawkettes roll past Spencer in opener, will host No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday

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A long road trip to Spencer resulted in a season-opening victory for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes forced 27 turnovers and rolled to a 73-22 win in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon. "It was just a great opportunity for us to compete and spend some time together. It worked out well," said first-year Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Spencer in opener, will host No. 6 Cedar Falls on Tuesday

Cleveland, McGrew pin their way to titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Nevada

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After winning the Central Iowa Kickoff on Saturday at Nevada, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team has earned a little bit of a break. Ankeny won't compete again until Nov. 28, when it faces Valley in its CIML Conference opener at Johnston. "We have a number of girls banged up already this season so we are excited to have some recovery time over the … [Read more...] about Cleveland, McGrew pin their way to titles, lead Ankeny to team crown at Nevada

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caden Henkes, Ankeny football

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Junior running back Caden Henkes accounted for 105 total yards and two touchdowns in the Ankeny football team's 49-21 loss to top-ranked Southeast Polk in the Class 5A championship game on Friday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. He ran eight times for 28 yards, including an 8-yard score late in the third quarter, and also caught four passes for 77 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caden Henkes, Ankeny football

‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars

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When the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team opens its season on Tuesday with a non-conference game against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, the Jaguars will start a lineup consisting of five underclassmen. That's because there are no seniors on the squad's roster. "I do think we have had (this situation) before, but rarely," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘They have lots of abilities they bring to the table’: Pratt, Crawford to lead Jaguars

Welsch to join ISU as preferred walk-on, will reunite with ex-teammate Miller

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Ankeny Centennial defensive back Connor Welsch will be reunited with former teammate Easton Miller next fall in Ames. Welsch has accepted an offer to join Iowa State's football program as a preferred walk-on. That's the same route that Miller chose last January. Miller has been playing on the scout team and dressed out for the first time on Saturday … [Read more...] about Welsch to join ISU as preferred walk-on, will reunite with ex-teammate Miller

Hawks finish memorable postseason journey with 49-21 loss in 5A title game

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Ankeny couldn't have asked for a better start in Friday's Class 5A championship football game. Unfortunately, the Hawks needed a lot more than a 90-yard kickoff return from Evan Irlmeier to knock off mighty Southeast Polk at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The top-ranked Rams got five touchdown runs from CJ Phillip, forced six Ankeny turnovers and rolled … [Read more...] about Hawks finish memorable postseason journey with 49-21 loss in 5A title game

Can Hawks dethrone S.E. Polk? Here is Fanatic’s prediction for Class 5A final

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If you missed this week's Ankeny Fanatic podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, check it out. We broke down Friday night's Class 5A championship game with eight different guests, including both of Ankeny's coordinators, offensive tackle Lukis Beroth and defensive back Kinnick Vos. So will the Hawks capture their second title in four years and … [Read more...] about Can Hawks dethrone S.E. Polk? Here is Fanatic’s prediction for Class 5A final

‘They believe in themselves’: Hawkettes look to improve under new coach Tobey

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New Ankeny girls' basketball coach Nate Tobey won't have to wait much longer to unveil his squad. The Hawkettes will open their season on Saturday with a non-conference game at Spencer. Tip-off is at 3:30 p.m. "The practices are going very well," said Tobey, who was previously an assistant for the boys' team. "We had an active offseason, and that has … [Read more...] about ‘They believe in themselves’: Hawkettes look to improve under new coach Tobey

No. 7 Ankeny girls rout DC-G, then post 42-39 win over No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock

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A year ago, the Ankeny girls' wrestling team opened its inaugural season with a pair of losses to Dallas Center-Grimes and Waverly-Shell Rock. On Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes, Ankeny avenged those losses in impressive fashion. After opening the season with a 72-9 victory over Dallas Center-Grimes, seventh-ranked Ankeny then followed with a 42-39 win … [Read more...] about No. 7 Ankeny girls rout DC-G, then post 42-39 win over No. 1 Waverly-Shell Rock

Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State

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Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Luke Winkel has made his college plans. The senior point guard announced on social media Monday that he will continue his career at St. Cloud State, an NCAA Division II program and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. "Throughout the recruiting process, I met a lot of great people and had nice … [Read more...] about Centennial point guard Winkel to play basketball next year at St. Cloud State

Centennial’s Bruhl chooses baseball over wrestling, will play for NIACC next year

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Ankeny Centennial's Lucas Bruhl is a two-time state placewinner on the wrestling mat. His future, though, is on the baseball field. The senior shortstop has verbally committed to play next year at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. He announced his decision on social media Monday. "I visited a few other community colleges and a couple … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Bruhl chooses baseball over wrestling, will play for NIACC next year

‘It could be a special season’: Ankeny girls’ wrestling team sets higher goals

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The expectations have been raised for the Ankeny girls' wrestling program. Ankeny advanced eight wrestlers to the state tournament in its inaugural season and graduated just one of those qualifiers. The team has also added a pair of talented newcomers in freshman Hayden Bratland and junior Haylee McGrew, who both won matches over the second-ranked girls … [Read more...] about ‘It could be a special season’: Ankeny girls’ wrestling team sets higher goals

Centennial trio, Ankeny quartet receive all-state volleyball honors from IGCA

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Several volleyball players from Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have received postseason honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association and the coaches in the CIML Conference. Centennial standouts Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt were both selected to the Class 5A all-state first team by the IGCA. The junior outside hitters led the Jaguars to a 31-7 record … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny quartet receive all-state volleyball honors from IGCA

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jacob Mohrfeld, Ankeny football

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Senior defensive back Jacob Mohrfeld made four tackles, blocked a field goal and intercepted a pass to help the Ankeny football team to a 10-7 victory over Ankeny Centennial in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday at the UNI-Dome. For the season, Mohrfeld has racked up 36.5 tackles for the 9-3 Hawks, including 28 solo stops. He has recorded six … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jacob Mohrfeld, Ankeny football

Ankeny Christian’s Quick named to elite all-state team, Class 1A player of year

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Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball star Katie Quick has been named to the elite all-state team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Quick, a junior setter, was also selected the Class 1A player of the year after leading the Eagles to a second consecutive state championship. She has verbally committed to play for Drake. Quick ranked fourth in Class … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian’s Quick named to elite all-state team, Class 1A player of year