Senior forward/midfielder Allison Hawkins is one of 13 returning varsity regulars for the Ankeny girls’ soccer team. She had one assist as a junior while helping the Hawkettes to an 11-3-3 record and an appearance in the Class 3A state tournament.
Hawkins is coming off a successful season on the basketball court, where she helped Ankeny to a 16-9 mark and a trip to the Class 5A semifinals. She averaged 1.8 points per game as the Hawkettes’ top reserve, making 12-of-38 shots from 3-point range (31.6 percent).
Here is some inside info on Hawkins:
First of all, let’s talk some basketball. Are you watching much of the NCAA Tournaments, either the women’s or the men’s?
Yes, I am very much enjoying the NCAA tournaments. I was excited for both the Cyclones and the Hawkeyes, but I’m super proud of how well the Hawkeye men’s team played. Making it to the Elite 8 was awesome for them.
You have to be proud of what your team was able to accomplish, reaching the state tournament for the first time since the split into two high schools and giving top-ranked Johnston all it could handle in the Class 5A semifinals. Do you feel like you and the other seniors are leaving the program in a better place?
It was always a dream of mine, ever since I was a little girl, to make it to state basketball. For us to be able to do that for the first time since the split was incredible. I was proud of the way we played down at state, including the way we played against Johnston. I love this team and will miss them very much. It was great to be able to play with so many amazing players and our great coaching staff.
Were you surprised at all that coach Nate Tobey resigned after the season?
I also very much appreciate what coach Tobey has provided the Hawkettes for the past three years. He has helped our program take the next step by helping us have the highest ranking that we’ve had as a team since the split as well as returning to state. He has worked very hard to help put us in a great place. I’m proud to have played for him. I know how much time and commitment it takes to coach a team, and I can understand his desire to have that time to be spent with his family. I respect his decision.
Ok, let’s move on to the soccer team, which has had a coaching change as well with Gavin Mason coming in to replace Simon Brown. Has it been a smooth transition?
I’m very much looking forward to the soccer season. We are very proud of the tradition of success of Hawkette soccer. As a team, we have high expectations for ourselves again this year. Our goal is always to make it to state and compete for a state championship. We have many returning players who have played key roles for us in the past, and we expect to be extremely competitive.
How are the practices going?
The practices and the initial stages of our season are going very well. Coach Mason has done a great job so far helping us with his communication as well as activities to get us together for open gyms during the offseason. I have appreciated his support and his commitment to furthering our program’s success.
Alli Macke graduated after scoring 16 of the team’s 39 goals last season. Who do you think will pick up the scoring slack, or will it have to be a team effort?
It is always challenging to fill a gap that is left when someone as strong as Alli Macke leaves a program. Not only was she a fantastic player who scored or assisted on many of our goals, but she was also a great teammate and leader. Her leadership on the team helped us in so many ways find success. Fortunately, we have many other players who are ready to step up and help us continue to find success. I am excited to watch us rise to the challenge of such a competitive league.
Your team will host Cedar Falls in its season opener on Thursday. Do you know much about the Tigers, and do you think it will be a good opening test?
We are excited to open our season against the Tigers. We have played several competitive games with them in the past few years. They will be a great matchup for us to begin our season.
You have committed to play soccer at Central College. What did you like about Central?
I am extremely excited to continue my soccer career at Central College. The coaching staff has been extremely welcoming to me. Coach (Mike) Koby(linski) has been a great communicator and made me feel so welcome there. I’ve enjoyed getting to know my teammates. I’ve been on campus several times and each time I’ve been with the team I’ve felt at home. I’m extremely excited to be a Dutch and to take what the coaches and teammates in Ankeny have given me in order to continue finding success at the next level.