Several players from Ankeny, including standout quarterback Jackson Waring, are members of the national champion Grand View University football team.
The Vikings (14-0) capped off an historic season on Saturday with a 35-7 victory over defending champ Keiser University in the NAIA title game at Durham, N.C. It was the first title for coach Joe Woodley and the second in school history.
Waring, a senior who played at Des Moines Christian before starting his college career at Illinois State, accounted for 335 total yards. He completed 11-of-18 passes for 132 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 203 yards on 21 carries.
Waring was named the Offensive Player of the Game after being selected the 2024 NAIA Player of the Year earlier in the week. He passed for 2,514 yards and 25 scores this season.
Former Ankeny receiver Jordan Kumm, a redshirt junior, also started the championship game for the Vikings. Former Ankeny Centennial prep Peyton Goode, a junior, also saw some action at receiver and had one carry for 6 yards.
Former Ankeny preps Diego Jackson, Jacob Mohrfeld and Nolan Morrison are also on the Grand View roster. Another ex-Hawk, Kade Somers, serves as a student assistant coach for the running backs.