Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for June 2025

‘We told ourselves to just keep working’: Lensmeyer hurls gem in win at Urbandale

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Ankeny pitcher Aubrey Lensmeyer didn't have her best changeup on Monday. Fortunately, the senior righthander didn't need it. Relying on her other pitches, Lensmeyer tossed a two-hitter and had six strikeouts to lead the Hawkettes to a 3-1 victory at Urbandale in a CIML Conference softball game. "My curve and rise were really on today," said … [Read more...] about ‘We told ourselves to just keep working’: Lensmeyer hurls gem in win at Urbandale

‘I know I’ll get great support there’: Ex-Red Raider Johnson to play for Minnesota

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Former Ankeny softball star Cassie Johnson has found a new home--and it's a lot closer to her hometown. After sitting out her freshman season at Texas Tech as a redshirt, Johnson elected to enter the transfer portal. She has now committed to play for Minnesota. "I looked at quite a few schools, but Minnesota definitely stood out to me!" said Johnson, a … [Read more...] about ‘I know I’ll get great support there’: Ex-Red Raider Johnson to play for Minnesota

Jaguars beat Ankeny at Fort Dodge Invite, then top Dodgers to earn 5th-place finish

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The second meeting between Ankeny's crosstown rivals on the softball field came a few days earlier than expected. Fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny both competed in the 16-team Fort Dodge Invitational this weekend. The two squads collided in a consolation semifinal on Saturday after they both split a pair of contests on Friday, and the Jaguars … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat Ankeny at Fort Dodge Invite, then top Dodgers to earn 5th-place finish

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Katelyn Weathers, Ankeny Christian softball

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Sophomore catcher/outfielder Katelyn Weathers has helped the Ankeny Christian Academy softball team to a 12-2 record, including an 8-1 mark in the West Division of the Bluegrass Conference. The Eagles are ranked fourth in Class 1A in their second season as a varsity program. Weathers is batting .697 with 23 hits in 33 at-bats, which is the second-highest … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Katelyn Weathers, Ankeny Christian softball

Ankeny girls earn all-American honors in SMR at Nike Track & Field National meet

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The Ankeny quartet of Charlee Cibula, Lillian Buckley, Morgan Fisher and Makenna Madetzke earned all-American honors this week at the Nike Track & Field National meet. The four runners teamed up for a fourth-place finish in the sprint medley relay, which is the equivalent to the distance medley relay in Iowa. They posted a time of 4:04.23. The same … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls earn all-American honors in SMR at Nike Track & Field National meet

‘We just didn’t have enough offense’: Hawks drop 5-2 decision at No. 7 Waukee

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz continues to see signs of improvement from his team. "The defense looked great, and the pitching is coming around," said Balvanz. "We just have to find a way to be more productive consistently on offense. That can be tough against some of these teams in the CIML." The Hawks dropped a 5-2 decision on Thursday at … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t have enough offense’: Hawks drop 5-2 decision at No. 7 Waukee

‘They took advantage of our mistakes’: Dragons rally past Centennial boys, Morris

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With six teams in contention for the CIML Conference baseball title, every game in the second half of the season could be the one that ultimately decides the league champion. Two of the contenders collided on Thursday at Ankeny Centennial, where the eighth-ranked Jaguars were hoping to complete a sweep of the season series against No. 5 Johnston. But … [Read more...] about ‘They took advantage of our mistakes’: Dragons rally past Centennial boys, Morris

Bartine’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars 10-2 victory over No. 3 Johnston in 6 innings

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Lauren Bartine picked a good time to hit her first career varsity home run. The junior designated hitter hit a two-run blast in the sixth inning to give the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team a 10-2 victory over No. 3 Johnston on Thursday at Centennial. "We played a complete team game!" said Centennial coach Brett Delaney, whose squad swept … [Read more...] about Bartine’s walk-off blast gives Jaguars 10-2 victory over No. 3 Johnston in 6 innings

Waukee rolls past Hawkettes in 4 innings, avenges earlier doubleheader loss

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A return to CIML Conference play has been a struggle this week for the Ankeny softball team. After winning three of four games in the John Stephens Classic last weekend at Creston, the Hawkettes dropped a 4-0 decision at then-No. 3 Valley on Monday. Then, after Wednesday's doubleheader at Johnston was rained out, Ankeny traveled to Waukee on Thursday … [Read more...] about Waukee rolls past Hawkettes in 4 innings, avenges earlier doubleheader loss

‘The bats are lively’: No. 4 Eagles erupt for school-record 21 runs, raise mark to 11-1

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The 2024 season was all about setting the foundation for the Ankeny Christian Academy softball team. Now, the process of building up one of Class 1A’s top programs is in motion. “It’s been great because we’ve got a lot of our players back and they already know the routine, know our drills and know what we’re looking for,” … [Read more...] about ‘The bats are lively’: No. 4 Eagles erupt for school-record 21 runs, raise mark to 11-1

Former Ankeny girls’ tennis coach Owens returns to take over Hawkettes’ program

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The new head coach of the Ankeny girls' tennis team already knows her way around the Prairie Ridge tennis courts. Katie Owens has been hired to replace Steve Smith, who stepped down at the end of the season. She previously coached the Hawkettes from 2014-20, although her final year was interrupted by COVID-19. "I'm back," said Owens. "I'm so … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny girls’ tennis coach Owens returns to take over Hawkettes’ program

‘I hope I can make an impact there’: Williams picks Bluejays over Buffaloes

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After narrowing down her list of schools to a top five, Ankeny basketball standout Jayla Williams picked the one that was closest to home. Even though the location wasn't much of a factor. "I actually didn't really want to go that close to home," Williams said on Tuesday after committing to play for Creighton. The senior-to-be is considered Iowa's … [Read more...] about ‘I hope I can make an impact there’: Williams picks Bluejays over Buffaloes

‘I wish we could’ve finished it’: Hawks fall at No. 10 Valley in rain-shortened game

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Despite not giving up a run, Valley lefthander Dane Gosselink needed 87 pitches to get through five innings in Monday's baseball game against visiting Ankeny. Due to the pitch count limit, the junior likely would have only been able to throw one more inning at that pace. Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz was hoping that his team could get into the Tigers' … [Read more...] about ‘I wish we could’ve finished it’: Hawks fall at No. 10 Valley in rain-shortened game

Ankeny basketball standout Williams verbally commits to play for Creighton

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One of Iowa's top girls' basketball players in the Class of 2026 has made her college decision. Ankeny wing Jayla Williams announced on Tuesday she has verbally committed to Creighton. The senior-to-be held more than a dozen offers from Division I schools and had previously narrowed her list down to five schools, which also included Colorado, Columbia, … [Read more...] about Ankeny basketball standout Williams verbally commits to play for Creighton

‘We had a lot of outs in the air’: Hawkettes held to 3 hits in 4-0 loss at No. 3 Valley

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Valley pitcher Maddie Zlomke recorded only three strikeouts during Monday's softball game against visiting Ankeny. The Hawkettes had no trouble putting the ball in play. They just didn't find many holes in Valley's defense. Zlomke had a perfect game through four innings and went on to toss a three-hitter as the third-ranked Tigers posted a 4-0 victory … [Read more...] about ‘We had a lot of outs in the air’: Hawkettes held to 3 hits in 4-0 loss at No. 3 Valley

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kohen Bollwinkel, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Senior outfielder Kohen Bollwinkel has helped the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 13-6 record. He has started all 19 games and is batting .311 with a double, a triple and seven RBIs. As a junior, Bollwinkel batted .306 with two triples and 18 RBIs while scoring a team-high 30 runs. He was named to the CIML Conference third team. Here is some … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kohen Bollwinkel, Ankeny Centennial baseball

Benge earns all-state honors in Class 4A along with Duax, Gloviak, Wahlberg

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Ankeny boys' soccer standout Landon Benge has been named to the Class 4A all-state first team for the second straight year by the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association. Benge, a senior forward, was joined on the first team by teammate Dylan Gloviak, a senior defender. Junior forward Tate Duax of Ankeny Centennial was also a first-team pick, while … [Read more...] about Benge earns all-state honors in Class 4A along with Duax, Gloviak, Wahlberg

‘We’re just really starting to trust the process’: Hawkettes finish 3-1 at Creston

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A trip to Creston may have provided a midseason spark for the Ankeny softball team. After getting off to a 4-7 start, the Hawkettes traveled to Union County over the weekend and won three of four games in the John Stephens Classic. The last three games were against Class 4A rated opponents. Ankeny (7-8) closed out the tournament on Saturday with an 8-7 … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just really starting to trust the process’: Hawkettes finish 3-1 at Creston

Hawks roll past C.B. Lincoln in 6 innings, then drop 7-4 decision to No. 3 S.C. East

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The Ankeny baseball team got a much-needed victory on Saturday at Council Bluffs before nearly pulling off an upset against one of the top squads in Class 4A. The Hawks ended a five-game losing skid with an 11-1 win over Council Bluffs Lincoln in six innings. They then battled third-ranked Sioux City East on even terms for much of the game before dropping … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past C.B. Lincoln in 6 innings, then drop 7-4 decision to No. 3 S.C. East