Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for November 2024

‘Our focus is to be tough’: Jaguars return 5 state qualifiers from 3A’s 4th-place team

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There are plenty of reasons for optimism in the Ankeny Centennial wrestling room. The Jaguars return five state qualifiers from one of the best teams in school history, including a pair of placewinners in Max Dhabolt and Cale Vandermark. The other returning qualifiers are Isaac Bruhl, Andrew Roland and Ethan Sodergren. "The practices are going … [Read more...] about ‘Our focus is to be tough’: Jaguars return 5 state qualifiers from 3A’s 4th-place team

‘We have a competitive group of guys’: Hawks seek to continue winning tradition

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A year ago, then-sophomore Rio Aguirre proved to be a solid third scoring option for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. Now, following the graduation of his brother Lio and all-state guard Carson Johnson, Aguirre will likely become the Hawks' go-to player. "I think Rio understands his role and the importance of having great teammates," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about ‘We have a competitive group of guys’: Hawks seek to continue winning tradition

Centennial boys’ team looks to overcome inexperienced roster, rash of injuries

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This was already going to be one of coach Bob Fontana's most inexperienced boys' basketball teams at Ankeny Centennial. Now, the Jaguars are dealing with a rash of injuries too. "We had four players injured during the fall either in an open gym or our fall league," said Fontana, who is beginning his 34th season as a head coach. "Usually, you have a … [Read more...] about Centennial boys’ team looks to overcome inexperienced roster, rash of injuries

Kiene scores career-high 23 points, leads Hawkettes to rout in conference opener

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Ainsley Kiene poured in a career-high 23 points to lead the eighth-ranked Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 67-25 victory at Urbandale in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday. Kiene made four 3-point goals and needed only three quarters to surpass her previous career-high of 19, but she was far from the Hawkettes' only threat from behind the arc. Four … [Read more...] about Kiene scores career-high 23 points, leads Hawkettes to rout in conference opener

‘We had a fun time!’: Ankeny swimmers edge Dowling for 3rd place at Sprint Invite

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It was a good opening test for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. The Hawks kicked off their season on Tuesday by hosting the Sprint Invitational at Trail Point Aquatics Center. They racked up 308 points to edge Dowling Catholic by a point for third place in the six-team event. Waukee Northwest won the meet with 407 points. Valley was second with … [Read more...] about ‘We had a fun time!’: Ankeny swimmers edge Dowling for 3rd place at Sprint Invite

Lincicum commits to play softball at Drake, will remain teammates with Ott

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About two weeks after her Ankeny Centennial teammate committed to play softball at Drake, junior Kori Lincicum has decided to follow in Mady Ott's footsteps. Lincicum announced on Wednesday that she has verbally committed to the Bulldogs as well. "I am very excited to be able to play with Mady because we already have a bond and will push each other to … [Read more...] about Lincicum commits to play softball at Drake, will remain teammates with Ott

‘We do have high expectations’: Ankeny bowlers begin 2nd season under Payton

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While the Ankeny girls' bowling team returns most of its varsity bowlers from last season, the boys' squad isn't as fortunate. The Hawkettes return four of the top six bowlers from a team that posted a 2-9 record, including a 1-5 mark in the CIML Conference. Seniors Savannah Dye and Kali Ogg are back along with juniors Brooklyn Dietz and Olivia … [Read more...] about ‘We do have high expectations’: Ankeny bowlers begin 2nd season under Payton

Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, led by 9-time placewinner Peterson

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Despite the graduation of standouts Owen Schwebach and Owen Evans, the Ankeny boys' swimming team still boasts a quartet of returning state qualifiers. Junior Bryer Pearson is back along with seniors Brock Peterson, Finn Stukerjurgen and Austin Troyer from a squad that placed ninth in last year's state meet with 113 points. "We have 34 guys out this … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, led by 9-time placewinner Peterson

Beroth named to Class 5A all-state first team by IFCA for 2nd consecutive year

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Ankeny football standout Lukis Beroth has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team for the second year in a row by the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Beroth, a senior, was the anchor of the Hawks' offensive line. He helped the team to a 6-5 record and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals. Beroth was joined on the first team by teammates Ryan … [Read more...] about Beroth named to Class 5A all-state first team by IFCA for 2nd consecutive year

Overberg’s collegiate soccer career ends with Minnesota’s 3-0 loss in Sweet 16

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The postseason run for the Minnesota soccer team has come to an end. The sixth-seeded Gophers dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 2 North Carolina on Sunday in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament at Chapel Hill, N.C. They finished the season with a 14-5-3 record. The loss marked the end of Elizabeth Overberg's career. The former Ankeny Centennial star was a … [Read more...] about Overberg’s collegiate soccer career ends with Minnesota’s 3-0 loss in Sweet 16

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ainsley Kiene, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Junior guard Ainsley Kiene had six points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals to help the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 66-28 victory over visiting Ames in its season opener on Saturday. Kiene averaged 11.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore as the Hawkettes posted a 13-10 record. She earned all-conference honorable mention … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ainsley Kiene, Ankeny girls’ basketball

‘We made progress with our focus areas’: Deeper Hawkettes rout Ames in opener

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Saturday's season opener against visiting Ames showed that the Ankeny girls' basketball team will have a deeper bench than it did a year ago. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes got solid contributions from many different players in a 66-28 victory in the non-conference game. "Overall, we made progress with our focus areas for the season," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about ‘We made progress with our focus areas’: Deeper Hawkettes rout Ames in opener

Haag, Bratland capture titles, lead Ankeny girls’ squad to 3rd-place finish at Nevada

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Trudy Haag and Hayden Bratland each won an individual title to lead the Ankeny girls' wrestling team to a third-place finish among 33 squads in the Central Iowa Kickoff on Saturday at Nevada. Raccoon River Northwest captured the team crown with 295 points. Southeast Polk was second with 260.5 points, followed by Ankeny with 209.5. "Overall, we had a … [Read more...] about Haag, Bratland capture titles, lead Ankeny girls’ squad to 3rd-place finish at Nevada

Sindt takes 94th at NCAA Championships, helps Cyclones to runner-up finish

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Former Ankeny standout Tim Sindt closed out his collegiate cross country career in style. Sindt helped the Iowa State men's team to a second-place finish in the NCAA Championships on Saturday at Madison, Wis. It was the Cyclones' second runner-up finish in the last four years. All seven Iowa State runners finished in the top 100 of the 10K race. Sindt … [Read more...] about Sindt takes 94th at NCAA Championships, helps Cyclones to runner-up finish

‘I loved the coaches’: Centennial’s Reed to play baseball at Wartburg College

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Ankeny Centennial senior Jackson Reed has verbally committed to play baseball at Wartburg College. Reed, an outfielder, called it a tough decision. "I was thinking of maybe going juco and saving money, but I loved the coaches there and also their facilities," said Reed. Reed played in 31 games and started 28 times last season, helping the Jaguars to … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the coaches’: Centennial’s Reed to play baseball at Wartburg College

‘I am super excited for this opportunity’: Mohrhauser commits to run for Drake

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Ankeny Centennial distance runner Anika Mohrhauser has decided to stay close to home. The senior verbally committed this week to join the Drake women's track and cross country programs. "I am super excited for this opportunity to get a great education and be able to compete for my school!" said Mohrhauser. "The deciding process was very hard and took a … [Read more...] about ‘I am super excited for this opportunity’: Mohrhauser commits to run for Drake

Overberg, Gophers rally past S. Carolina, advance to Sweet 16 of NCAA Tourney

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For only the third time in program history, the Minnesota women's soccer team has advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Former Ankeny Centennial star Elizabeth Overberg and the Gophers overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to beat No. 3 South Carolina, 2-1, in a second-round game of the Columbia Regional on Friday at Chapel Hill, N.C. Sophia Boman … [Read more...] about Overberg, Gophers rally past S. Carolina, advance to Sweet 16 of NCAA Tourney

Jaguars are No. 3, Ankeny No. 8 in Class 5A preseason girls’ basketball rankings

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Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are in the top 10 of the preseason girls' basketball rankings from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Centennial is ranked third in Class 5A behind two of its CIML Conference rivals. No. 1 Johnston defeated No. 2 Dowling Catholic, 48-36, in last year's Class 5A championship game. The Jaguars posted a 14-9 … [Read more...] about Jaguars are No. 3, Ankeny No. 8 in Class 5A preseason girls’ basketball rankings

‘It was both fun and weird!’: Emporia State’s Clark plays against former team

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Former Ankeny Centennial guard Makenna Clark helped the Emporia State (Kan.) women's basketball team to an 87-82 victory over visiting Wayne State (Neb.) on Nov. 13. The game was noteworthy because Clark, a sophomore, was playing against her former teammates. She started her collegiate career at Wayne State before transferring to Emporia State during the … [Read more...] about ‘It was both fun and weird!’: Emporia State’s Clark plays against former team