Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for January 2025

‘We came up just short’: AHS swimmers drop 87-83 decision at No. 5 Linn-Mar

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The Ankeny boys' swimming team traveled to eastern Iowa on Saturday for a top-10 matchup against Linn-Mar (Marion). In the end, the fifth-ranked Lions squeaked out an 87-83 victory in the non-conference dual meet. No. 9 Ankeny's record dropped to 3-5 on the season. Linn-Mar won all three of the relay events, including the 400 freestyle relay that … [Read more...] about ‘We came up just short’: AHS swimmers drop 87-83 decision at No. 5 Linn-Mar

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Hayden Bratland, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

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Sophomore Hayden Bratland helped the Ankeny girls' wrestling team to the championship of the Bob Sharp Invitational on Friday at Ankeny High School. She won an individual title at 140 pounds, joining teammates Mady Postma at 135 and Haylee McGrew at 155 atop the awards podium. Bratland scored bonus points in all four of her matches, capped off by a fall … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Hayden Bratland, Ankeny girls’ wrestling

‘It’s definitely a morale booster’: Aguirre makes 15 FTs, leads Hawks past Johnston

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Everybody loves a dramatic finish to a basketball game. So when Rio Aguirre missed out on the chance to ice Friday's boys' game at Johnston with two missed free throws while holding a three-point lead, the Ankeny junior chalked it up to a little bit of accidental showmanship. Eighth-ranked Johnston had under 10 seconds to … [Read more...] about ‘It’s definitely a morale booster’: Aguirre makes 15 FTs, leads Hawks past Johnston

No. 1 Johnston girls win rematch against Hawkettes, extend winning streak to 39

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) When it comes to a foot race, there’s just not a lot of girls' basketball teams in the state of Iowa that can keep up with the top-ranked Johnston Dragons. The No. 15 Ankeny squad felt like they played a much better game in their second matchup against the defending Class 5A state champions, but the Hawkettes' firepower just … [Read more...] about No. 1 Johnston girls win rematch against Hawkettes, extend winning streak to 39

Ankeny girls dominate Sharp Invitational, crown 3 champs among their 9 finalists

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The Ankeny girls' wrestlers wrapped up the team title at their own Bob Sharp Invitational on Friday well before the final match was contested. Ankeny advanced nine girls to the finals, crowned three individual champions and racked up 252 points in the 14-team tournament at Ankeny High School. Linn-Mar was a distant second with 183.5 points. "We had a … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls dominate Sharp Invitational, crown 3 champs among their 9 finalists

‘We just have to stay the course’: Struggling Jaguars fall to No. 9 Dowling

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team was looking to pull off an upset Friday against a top-10 opponent. Unfortunately, the Jaguars picked the wrong night to face visiting Dowling Catholic. The ninth-ranked Maroons shot 63.5 percent from the field (33-of-52), including 11-of-19 from 3-point range (57.9 percent), and rolled to an 80-41 … [Read more...] about ‘We just have to stay the course’: Struggling Jaguars fall to No. 9 Dowling

After 6 ties and 5 lead changes, Dowling girls pull away late to beat Jaguars again

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is still searching for a signature victory to put on its postseason resume. The fourth-ranked Jaguars once again battled No. 2 Dowling Catholic down to the wire on Friday before dropping a 52-45 decision at Centennial. There were six ties and five lead changes before the Maroons closed out the CIML Conference … [Read more...] about After 6 ties and 5 lead changes, Dowling girls pull away late to beat Jaguars again

‘It felt like it was a good fit’: Ankeny’s Vos commits to play baseball at Black Hawk

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Ankeny senior Kinnick Vos has verbally committed to play baseball at Black Hawk Community College in Moline, Ill. Vos, a shortstop, will be reunited with former teammate Ben Sandvig, who started his collegiate career at North Iowa Area Community College but has since transferred to Black Hawk. "I narrowed it down to a couple options at some different … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like it was a good fit’: Ankeny’s Vos commits to play baseball at Black Hawk

‘We weren’t sure we could pull it off’: Jaguars’ depth pays off in win at Waukee

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestling team was without a trio of varsity regulars on Thursday, including a pair of state placewinners in Isaac Bruhl and Max Dhabolt. No worries. The Jaguars relied on their depth to post a 47-22 victory over Waukee in a CIML Conference dual meet at Timberline Middle School. They improved their records to 5-1 in the league and … [Read more...] about ‘We weren’t sure we could pull it off’: Jaguars’ depth pays off in win at Waukee

Ankeny wrestlers romp past depleted Maroons, will host Sharp Invite Saturday

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The Ankeny wrestling team tuned up for Saturday's Bob Sharp Invitational with a 62-14 victory over visiting Dowling Catholic on Thursday. The Hawks raised their dual-meet records to 4-2 in the CIML Conference and 10-4 overall. "We knew it was going to be a short night," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "They've got some kids who were out with … [Read more...] about Ankeny wrestlers romp past depleted Maroons, will host Sharp Invite Saturday

Dietz bowls career-best series, leads Ankeny girls’ team past Greene County

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The Ankeny bowling teams ventured out of the CIML Conference on Thursday for a non-conference dual meet against Greene County at Spare Time Lanes & Lounge. The Ankeny girls' squad remained unbeaten despite posting its lowest score of the season. The Hawkettes won by a margin of 2,024 to 1,797. "The lanes were tough," said Ankeny coach Nick Payton. … [Read more...] about Dietz bowls career-best series, leads Ankeny girls’ team past Greene County

‘It kind of feels like a full circle moment for me’: Crandall commits to Panthers

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Former Ankeny football standout Ryan Crandall is headed to Cedar Falls. One of the most productive linebackers at the NCAA Division I FCS level last season, Crandall announced on Wednesday that he will play next year at Northern Iowa under new head coach Todd Stepsis. "I looked at a handful of schools," said Crandall, who started 26 games in three … [Read more...] about ‘It kind of feels like a full circle moment for me’: Crandall commits to Panthers

‘I loved the facilities and the culture’: Centennial’s Heither commits to Wartburg

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Ankeny Centennial wingback Sam Heither has committed to play football at Wartburg College next year. Heither announced his decision on social media Wednesday. "I was pretty keyed in on Wartburg during the recruiting process," Heither said. "I loved the facilities and the culture that they have over in Waverly." Heither helped Centennial to an 8-3 … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the facilities and the culture’: Centennial’s Heither commits to Wartburg

Centennial boys rally from 22-point deficit to forge tie, but Urbandale holds on to win

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) With about 4 minutes 30 seconds left in the third quarter, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team faced one of its largest deficits in Tuesday's game against visiting Urbandale. Davis Hardersen knocked down a 3-pointer to extend the J-Hawks' lead to 41-19 as they appeared to be ready to cruise to victory on Centennial’s … [Read more...] about Centennial boys rally from 22-point deficit to forge tie, but Urbandale holds on to win

Crawford enjoys historic night as Jaguars roll past Urbandale for 2nd time this year

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Ever since transferring from Cedar Falls to Ankeny Centennial after her freshman girls' basketball season, Mya Crawford has carved out a pretty important role for the Jaguars. She’s started nearly 60 games over two and a half seasons, she’s scored a lot of baskets and she’s helped win a ton of games for Centennial. But … [Read more...] about Crawford enjoys historic night as Jaguars roll past Urbandale for 2nd time this year

Hawks contain Jacobson, but Waukee thrives from deep to earn 7th straight win

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Waukee showed on Tuesday why it's one of the state's hottest boys' basketball teams. The seventh-ranked Warriors didn't need a big night from junior post player Evan Jacobson in order to extend their winning streak to seven games. Jacobson was held to seven points in a CIML Conference contest at Ankeny, but Waukee made 11-of-21 3-point shots and had … [Read more...] about Hawks contain Jacobson, but Waukee thrives from deep to earn 7th straight win

Ankeny girls rack up 6 pins, win 5 matches by forfeit in 69-12 victory at Urbandale

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The Ankeny girls' wrestling team rolled to a 69-12 victory at Urbandale in a CIML Conference dual meet on Tuesday. Ankeny recorded six falls, all but one of them in the first period. Coach Dustin Roland's team won five other matches by forfeit and also got a narrow victory in the final match at 110 pounds, where Zoe Sullivan posted an 8-6 decision over … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rack up 6 pins, win 5 matches by forfeit in 69-12 victory at Urbandale

‘They were having fun out there’: Ankeny girls avenge earlier loss to No. 8 Waukee

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This was the Ankeny girls' basketball team that was eighth in Class 5A in the preseason rankings and moved up to sixth after a 4-0 start. The now-No. 15 Hawkettes overcame an early nine-point deficit to beat No. 8 Waukee, 57-45, in a CIML Conference game on Tuesday at Ankeny. It was the second straight win for coach Nate Tobey's squad following a … [Read more...] about ‘They were having fun out there’: Ankeny girls avenge earlier loss to No. 8 Waukee