Ankeny Fanatic

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Archives for October 2025

‘We did what we needed to do!’: Confident Jaguars are headed back to state tourney

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The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team won't need a map to Coralville. The Jaguars have made a habit of qualifying for the state tournament, so coach Jessica Rinehart and her players already know the way to Xtream Arena. Second-ranked Centennial advanced to the state tournament for the 12th time in the 13-year history of the program by sweeping visiting … [Read more...] about ‘We did what we needed to do!’: Confident Jaguars are headed back to state tourney

‘We’re going for it all’: Hawkettes look to contend for title after sweeping Kennedy

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) A lot has changed on Ankeny’s volleyball roster between the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but the Hawkettes' tradition of reaching the Class 5A state tournament hasn’t changed. Ankeny faced heavy losses to graduation, simply reloaded its roster and officially punched its ticket right back to Coralville. The sixth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘We’re going for it all’: Hawkettes look to contend for title after sweeping Kennedy

Former Hawk player Mason named head coach of Ankeny girls’ soccer program

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A former Ankeny boys' soccer player is coming home. Gavin Mason, who played for Ankeny as a freshman and sophomore in the 2014-15 seasons before transferring to Ankeny Christian Academy, has been named the new head coach of the Ankeny girls' program. His hiring was approved by the Ankeny School Board on Monday night. "I'm very excited," said Mason. … [Read more...] about Former Hawk player Mason named head coach of Ankeny girls’ soccer program

ACA sweeps Warhawks, will play BCLUW in rematch for trip to state tournament

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Ankeny Christian Academy’s route back to Coralville includes two championship rematches from last season, and the Eagles have already survived the first one. Seventh-ranked ACA swept visiting Southeast Warren (25-14, 25-15, 25-15) in Monday’s Class 1A regional semifinal to set up a Region 8 championship match against No. 6 … [Read more...] about ACA sweeps Warhawks, will play BCLUW in rematch for trip to state tournament

Ex-Jag Benkufsky captures No. 3 doubles crown for Rams at MWC Championships

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After a successful high school tennis career at Ankeny Centennial, Jenna Benkufsky has continued to find success at the collegiate level. The Cornell College sophomore teamed up with senior Audrey Small to claim the No. 3 doubles title in the Midwest Conference Women's Individual Championships on Oct. 19 at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on the campus of the … [Read more...] about Ex-Jag Benkufsky captures No. 3 doubles crown for Rams at MWC Championships

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Isaiah Smith, Ankeny boys’ cross country

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Ankeny senior Isaiah Smith has qualified for Saturday's state cross country meet in Fort Dodge. He placed fourth in a boys' Class 4A district meet on Wednesday at Marshalltown with a time of 16 minutes 2 seconds. Smith is a four-time state qualifier who placed 65th in Class 4A as a freshman, took 15th as a sophomore and then finished 37th in 2024. He … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Isaiah Smith, Ankeny boys’ cross country

‘I’m proud of the girls’: Ankeny swimmers avenge losses, place 4th at CIML meet

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team avenged a pair of dual-meet losses during the regular season while placing fourth in the CIML Conference meet on Saturday at the Waukee Natatorium. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes racked up 309 points to finish far ahead of No. 11 Valley (199 points) and No. 5 Johnston (152), two teams that they lost to last month. "We had … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of the girls’: Ankeny swimmers avenge losses, place 4th at CIML meet

‘We’re extremely confident’: Jags wrap up playoff berth with 49-7 win over S.C. North

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) With playoff football looming in the background, Ankeny Centennial needed to come out on its home turf and take care of business before it worried about the postseason. And the Jaguars did just that. Centennial had the running clock going in the second half as the Jaguars earned their spot in the Class 5A playoffs with a … [Read more...] about ‘We’re extremely confident’: Jags wrap up playoff berth with 49-7 win over S.C. North

Playoff pairings announced: Hawks to host S.E. Polk, Jaguars travel to No. 3 Johnston

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The Class 5A football playoff pairings have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Fifth-seeded Ankeny (7-2) will host No. 12 Southeast Polk (5-4) in Friday's opening round. The Rams are the four-time defending state champions. The winner of that game will play either No. 4 Iowa City Liberty (8-1) or No. 13 Waukee (4-5) in the … [Read more...] about Playoff pairings announced: Hawks to host S.E. Polk, Jaguars travel to No. 3 Johnston

Hawks rout Council Bluffs Lincoln, move up to No. 5 in final Class 5A RPI rankings

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It took only 15 seconds for the Ankeny football team to grab the lead for good in Friday's game at Wickersham Stadium. Owen Fischer returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, and the sixth-ranked Hawks went on to rout Council Bluffs Lincoln, 61-0, in the regular-season finale for both squads. "They blocked it up really nicely," Fischer said … [Read more...] about Hawks rout Council Bluffs Lincoln, move up to No. 5 in final Class 5A RPI rankings

‘It was a good start’: Centennial begins postseason run with sweep over J-Hawks

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Ankeny Centennial volleyball’s aspirations for postseason play takes the Jaguars well beyond just the regional bracket. But all good postseason runs start by hitting the ground running. The second-ranked Jaguars used a couple big runs to help sweep visiting Cedar Rapids Jefferson (25-8, 25-10, 25-9) in three sets in … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good start’: Centennial begins postseason run with sweep over J-Hawks

Ankeny’s Corron places 14th, Subbert finishes 16th in CIML diving competition

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The diving portion of the CIML Conference girls' swimming meet was held on Thursday at the Waukee Natatorium. Ankeny's Isla Corron placed 14th in the 11-dive event with a score of 325.80 points. Teammate Kambelle Subbert finished 16th with 320.15. Holli Hetzer of Southeast Polk, the state's second-ranked diver, won the event with 435.00 points. Bailey … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Corron places 14th, Subbert finishes 16th in CIML diving competition

ACA boys’ cross country team earns trip to Fort Dodge by dominating district meet

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The Ankeny Christian Academy boys' cross country team is headed back to the Class 1A state meet. The third-ranked Eagles, who placed second in Class 1A a year ago, easily won a district title on Thursday at South Hamilton. They swept the top three places in the 5K race and scored 31 points, finishing far ahead of runner-up North Butler Greene (122 … [Read more...] about ACA boys’ cross country team earns trip to Fort Dodge by dominating district meet

‘We executed and had fun’: Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown in regional opener

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The Ankeny volleyball team didn't waste much time advancing to the final round of regional play. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes scored the first eight points of the match and went on to defeat visiting Marshalltown, 25-11, 25-10, 25-7, in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Thursday. They hit .429 on the night and racked up 10 aces while completing 73-of-74 … [Read more...] about ‘We executed and had fun’: Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown in regional opener

Smith, Madetzke advance to state, but qualifying streak ends for Ankeny squads

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Ankeny cross country standout Isaiah Smith has earned a fourth consecutive trip to the boys' Class 4A state meet. Another senior, Makenna Madetzke, has qualified for the third time in the girls' race. This year, though, their respective teams will not be joining them. "It's really sad and kind of tragic to not have the team behind me," said … [Read more...] about Smith, Madetzke advance to state, but qualifying streak ends for Ankeny squads

Eagles roll past Martensdale-St. Marys, will host SE Warren in regional semifinal

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The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team has yet to be tested in postseason play. The seventh-ranked Eagles cruised to a 25-13, 25-10, 25-13 victory over visiting Martensdale-St. Marys in a Class 1A regional quarterfinal on Wednesday. The Blue Devils scored a total of 36 points in the match--just 10 more than Melcher-Dallas managed to score in a … [Read more...] about Eagles roll past Martensdale-St. Marys, will host SE Warren in regional semifinal

‘Celebrate first and reflect second’: Centennial teams advance to state meet

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For the first time since 2020, the Ankeny Centennial cross country teams traveled to Council Bluffs on Wednesday to compete in a state qualifying meet. And just like five years ago, both squads qualified for next week's state meet. The third-ranked Centennial girls' team placed second among nine squads with 50 points, finishing 13 points behind No. 6 … [Read more...] about ‘Celebrate first and reflect second’: Centennial teams advance to state meet

‘We always serve aggressive’: Eagles rack up 22 aces in sweep over Melcher-Dallas

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Ankeny Christian Academy took a successful first step toward a fourth consecutive state volleyball championship. The seventh-ranked Eagles rolled to a 25-10, 25-7, 25-9 victory over visiting Melcher-Dallas in the opening round of a Class 1A regional tournament on Monday. ACA had defeated the Saints by almost identical scores in the Bluegrass Conference … [Read more...] about ‘We always serve aggressive’: Eagles rack up 22 aces in sweep over Melcher-Dallas

Wartburg’s Sash named Defensive Player of the Week for 2nd time this season

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Former Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Anna Sash was named the American Rivers Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 13 for the second time this season. The Wartburg College sophomore middle hitter was also honored on Sept. 29. Sash showcased her dominance at the net, recording nine total blocks across a pair of Wartburg victories — a … [Read more...] about Wartburg’s Sash named Defensive Player of the Week for 2nd time this season