Ankeny defensive back Sam Sandvig has verbally committed to play football for the University of Sioux Falls, an NCAA Division II program that competes primarily in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Sandvig said he picked the Cougars over the University of Minnesota Duluth, another program in the NSIC.
“I really only looked at those two the whole time,” said Sandvig. “After our visit on Tuesday to Sioux Falls and talking with the coaches, they made the decision pretty easy. I liked a lot of things about Sioux Falls when I was there. The main thing was the coaches–I got along with any coach I talked to at Sioux Falls.”
As a junior, Sandvig helped Ankeny to a 9-4 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A. He was named to the all-district second team in District 6.
Sandvig placed fourth on the team with 55 tackles, including 31 solo stops, and also intercepted a pass. He is the Hawks’ top returning tackler heading into the 2024 season, which begins on Aug. 30 against Ankeny Centennial.
Sandvig is a three-sport athlete. He started 29 games this summer for the Ankeny baseball team, batting .238 with two doubles and 11 RBIs despite playing with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow.
“I will need surgery later in the year,” Sandvig said. “We are thinking early December. Playing football with it hasn’t had any issues. I’m just praying to stay healthy throughout the season.”
Sandvig was a key sprinter on the state champion Ankeny boys’ track team last spring. He ran the opening legs on the winning distance medley and runner-up sprint medley relays.
