Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for September 2024

Ankeny boys place 14th, Hawkettes finish 18th at prestigious Roy Griak Invitational

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Friday's Roy Griak Invitational at St. Paul, Minn., provided an opportunity for the Ankeny cross country teams to compete in one of the premier races in the Midwest. More than 40 teams participated in both the boys' and girls' championship divisions, attracting schools from multiple states. Each race had a field of more than 400 runners. "It was our … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys place 14th, Hawkettes finish 18th at prestigious Roy Griak Invitational

‘Now our backs are against the wall’: Hawks drop to 1-3 with loss at Johnston

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After coming off a run to the Class 5A state championship game last season, the Ankeny Hawks returned plenty of talent to ensure they’d undoubtedly be contenders for the title that slipped through their fingers. But now the Hawks are battling to keep any postseason hopes alive. A 24-7 road loss against the Johnston … [Read more...] about ‘Now our backs are against the wall’: Hawks drop to 1-3 with loss at Johnston

‘We didn’t play well enough to win’: Jaguars’ rally falls short against S.E. Polk

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The Southeast Polk football team isn't ready to give up its throne. The three-time defending Class 5A state champions scored two touchdowns in a span of 2 minutes in the third quarter and went on to beat top-ranked Ankeny Centennial, 21-13, on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. The Jaguars (3-1) suffered their first loss of the season, while Southeast Polk (2-2) … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t play well enough to win’: Jaguars’ rally falls short against S.E. Polk

‘We have grandkids now’: Bingham leaves after 12 seasons as Ankeny softball coach

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Dave Bingham has resigned after 12 seasons as the head coach of the Ankeny softball team. Bingham, who guided the Hawkettes to a 293-188 record and four trips to the state tournament, said it's too early to call it a retirement. "I'll never rule anything out (as far as coaching again)," he said. "But right now I need to focus on work and my … [Read more...] about ‘We have grandkids now’: Bingham leaves after 12 seasons as Ankeny softball coach

‘I was proud of our efforts’: Ankeny tankers fall to loaded Waukee Northwest squad

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team got its first look at the new $35 million Waukee Natatorium on Thursday. In a matchup of two top-10 squads, the seventh-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 108-78 decision to No. 2 Waukee Northwest in a CIML Conference dual meet. "It was fun to swim in their beautiful swim facility, and we will get to again later this year," said … [Read more...] about ‘I was proud of our efforts’: Ankeny tankers fall to loaded Waukee Northwest squad

Centennial golfers shoot 313, place 5th among 14 teams at Joe August Invite

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Playing for the third time in four days, the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team placed fifth among 14 squads in the Joe August Invitational on Thursday at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. The Jaguars posted a score of 313, their highest total of the season. "It was a long week with some positives but a couple of disappointing finishes," said … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers shoot 313, place 5th among 14 teams at Joe August Invite

‘This one feels really good’: No. 1 Jaguars outlast No. 3 Dowling in CIML showdown

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Perhaps no volleyball team in the state enjoys playing a fifth set as much as Ankeny Centennial. The top-ranked Jaguars were pushed to the limit on Tuesday for the third time this season, and once again they outlasted a top-10 opponent. Centennial used an 8-0 run in the fifth set to help close out a 23-25, 25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 15-12 victory at No. 3 … [Read more...] about ‘This one feels really good’: No. 1 Jaguars outlast No. 3 Dowling in CIML showdown

After long weekend, ‘tired’ Hawkettes sweep past Johnston for 19th victory

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It had been awhile since the Ankeny volleyball team got the luxury of playing on its home court after weeks of road matches and tournaments. Despite still recouping from a six-match outing--which included playing a quarterfinal round matchup instead of getting a bye--at the Live Like Line Invitational hosted by Iowa City … [Read more...] about After long weekend, ‘tired’ Hawkettes sweep past Johnston for 19th victory

Ankeny golfers fall to Dowling Catholic, Waukee in triangular meet at Jester Park

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For the second time in a week, the Ankeny boys' golf team played the course at Jester Park. The results were very similar. Despite some solid rounds from Duncan Beelner and Caden Weddingfeld, the 14th-ranked Hawks lost to both No. 8 Dowling Catholic and No. 15 Waukee in a CIML Conference triangular meet on Wednesday. The Maroons posted a score of … [Read more...] about Ankeny golfers fall to Dowling Catholic, Waukee in triangular meet at Jester Park

‘We were hoping for better’: Centennial golfers tumble to Waukee NW, S.E. Polk

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Ankeny Centennial boys' golf coach Andrew Reedy tried to look on the bright side following Wednesday's CIML Conference triangular meet at Briarwood Golf Club. Fourth-ranked Waukee Northwest shot a 290 to finish nine strokes ahead of No. 6 Southeast Polk. No. 9 Centennial lost to both teams after posting a 303 total. The Jaguars finished with a 2-6 … [Read more...] about ‘We were hoping for better’: Centennial golfers tumble to Waukee NW, S.E. Polk

‘We’ve made a lot of progress’: Jags edge Valley to win 3rd straight Karpen crown

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Tuesday's Tom Karpen Invitational at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School featured only four teams in the girls' varsity division. It turned into somewhat of a dual meet between third-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 7 Valley. Both squads placed seven runners among the top 17 finishers, resulting in a tight battle. In the end, the Jaguars edged … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve made a lot of progress’: Jags edge Valley to win 3rd straight Karpen crown

Ankeny assigned to Ottumwa district, while Jaguars will play in Council Bluffs

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The boys' Class 4A district golf assignments have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Ankeny will play in a district meet at the Ottumwa Golf and Social Club, while Ankeny Centennial is headed to Bent Tree Golf Club in Council Bluffs. Both meets will be held on Monday, Oct. 7. Tenth-ranked Centennial will try to earn its second … [Read more...] about Ankeny assigned to Ottumwa district, while Jaguars will play in Council Bluffs

Jaguars place 4th, while Ankeny golfers finish 9th in Turk Bowman Invitational

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team managed to break 300 Monday on one of the state's most difficult courses. Crosstown rival Ankeny wasn't as fortunate. The Jaguars placed fourth among 18 teams in the Turk Bowman Invitational at Veenker Golf Course in Ames. They shot a 299 to tie Dallas Center-Grimes, but lost a tiebreaker for third place. "I am … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 4th, while Ankeny golfers finish 9th in Turk Bowman Invitational

‘It’s a weekend we can learn from’: No. 1 Jags lose rematch vs. Waukee Northwest

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This time, there would not be a dramatic rally by the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. The top-ranked Jaguars dropped a 25-23, 25-19 decision to No. 7 Waukee Northwest in the semifinals of the Metro Classic on Saturday at Southeast Polk. It was a rematch of a CIML Conference matchup on Sept. 3 at Centennial, where Northwest was on the verge of a … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a weekend we can learn from’: No. 1 Jags lose rematch vs. Waukee Northwest

Hawkettes reach title match of Found Invitational before falling to Dowling

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You can probably expect another close match when the Ankeny volleyball team hosts CIML Conference rival Dowling Catholic on Oct. 1. There isn't much of a gap, if any, between the two squads. Second-ranked Ankeny advanced to the championship match of the Caroline Found Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City West before dropping a 25-15, 22-25, 15-9 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes reach title match of Found Invitational before falling to Dowling

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Andrew Haase, Ankeny football

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Senior defensive end Andrew Haase helped the Ankeny football team to a 23-16 victory over top-ranked Dowling Catholic on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. The Hawks allowed just three points in the final three quarters to earn their first win of the season. "Andrew was everywhere tonight," Ankeny coach Jeff Bauer said afterwards. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Andrew Haase, Ankeny football

‘We just played great’: Pezzetti earns his 450th career win as Jags top Cedar Falls

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Iowa high school football’s all-time winningest coach has checked off a milestone no other coach has reached. Ankeny Centennial co-head coach Jerry Pezzetti is just one of three coaches to pass the 400-win threshold, but thanks to the Jaguars’ 31-14 road win over Cedar Falls on Friday, the Ankeny legend became the first … [Read more...] about ‘We just played great’: Pezzetti earns his 450th career win as Jags top Cedar Falls

‘It feels amazing’: Irlmeier’s late TD allows Hawks to stun No. 1 Dowling Catholic

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With its back against the wall, the Ankeny football team found a way to pull off a huge upset against a familiar opponent. Luke Anderson fired a 7-yard touchdown pass to Evan Irlmeier with 1 minute 16 seconds left to give the Hawks a 23-16 victory over top-ranked Dowling Catholic on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. It was the first win of the season for … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing’: Irlmeier’s late TD allows Hawks to stun No. 1 Dowling Catholic

‘It was a fun night at the pool’: Ankeny swimmers top 2 foes, raise record to 5-0

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team remained unbeaten with a pair of victories in a non-conference double dual meet on Thursday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The Hawkettes defeated Newton/Colfax-Mingo/Pella, 100-80, and Des Moines Roosevelt, 138-42. They improved to 5-0 on the season. "It was a fun night at the pool," said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "We … [Read more...] about ‘It was a fun night at the pool’: Ankeny swimmers top 2 foes, raise record to 5-0