Ankeny Fanatic

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Dan Holm

Ellison records 500th career kill as Ankeny sweeps Rams in CIML Conference opener

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There are no remaining unbeaten volleyball teams in the CIML Conference. Third-ranked Ankeny traveled to Pleasant Hill on Tuesday for its league opener and handed unranked Southeast Polk a 25-13, 25-13, 25-21 loss. The Rams had gotten off to a 4-0 start, but those wins came against opponents with a combined record of 5-16. "I'm really proud of how … [Read more...] about Ellison records 500th career kill as Ankeny sweeps Rams in CIML Conference opener

No. 5 Dowling Catholic girls outlast Jags in 5 sets, despite frosh VanBruggen’s 17 kills

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team had a chance to pull out a huge home victory to open CIML Conference play and the opportunity just slipped away. The Class 5A preseason No. 10 Jaguars held a 2-1 set lead over No. 5 Dowling Catholic before the Maroons pulled out the fourth set and then used a big run in set five to earn … [Read more...] about No. 5 Dowling Catholic girls outlast Jags in 5 sets, despite frosh VanBruggen’s 17 kills

Ankeny girls’ tennis team falls to Waukee, will travel Thursday to play at Johnston

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For the second day in a row, the Ankeny girls' tennis team had to deal with some sweltering conditions at the Prairie Ridge courts. After dropping an 11-0 decision to Urbandale on Monday, the Hawkettes hosted another CIML Conference opponent on Tuesday. This time, Waukee came away with a 9-2 victory. The Warriors improved to 2-4 in the league and 6-6 … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ tennis team falls to Waukee, will travel Thursday to play at Johnston

‘We will only get better from here’: Ankeny swimmers drop season opener to Wolves

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team got wins from two of its newcomers during a season-opening dual meet against Waukee Northwest on Tuesday. Holland Villhauer won the 100 butterfly in a time of 1:03.57, while fellow freshman Rowen Hutzell captured the 100 breaststroke in 1:15.32. It wasn't enough, though, as the Wolves posted a 106-80 victory at the Waukee … [Read more...] about ‘We will only get better from here’: Ankeny swimmers drop season opener to Wolves

Centennial golfers place 5th, Hawks finish 8th in 16-team field at Fort Dodge Invite

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team made a lot of progress on Tuesday. Crosstown rival Ankeny, however, seems to be in a rut. The Jaguars placed fifth among 16 teams in the Fort Dodge Invitational. They posted a 301 total on the Fort Dodge Country Club course for the second straight year. "It was a big step in the right direction," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers place 5th, Hawks finish 8th in 16-team field at Fort Dodge Invite

‘The girls battled in the heat’: Hawkettes begin busy week with loss to Urbandale

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The Ankeny girls' tennis team began a busy week with an 11-0 loss to visiting Urbandale on Monday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The J-Hawks improved to 2-3 in the CIML Conference and 6-4 overall. Ankeny's records dropped to 1-4 and 3-5. "The girls battled in the heat," said Ankeny coach Katie Owens. "With each match our team is gaining valuable match … [Read more...] about ‘The girls battled in the heat’: Hawkettes begin busy week with loss to Urbandale

Legendary coaches Pezzetti, Sharp, Smith honored by Ankeny Historical Society

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(Compiled by Bob Fontana) On Sunday, Aug. 23, the Ankeny Historical Society honored legendary Ankeny coaches Jerry Pezzetti, Bob Sharp and Fred Smith during the annual Ice Cream Social. Each coach was presented by a former student-athlete as a biography was read, along with stories and comments. There were 70 former student-athletes in attendance … [Read more...] about Legendary coaches Pezzetti, Sharp, Smith honored by Ankeny Historical Society

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Dawson Whitinger, Ankeny football

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Senior linebacker and running back Dawson Whitinger helped lead the Ankeny football team to a 28-20 victory at Waukee Northwest in its season opener on Friday. He ran five times for 72 yards, made 5.5 tackles and also had a huge interception as the Hawks avenged last year's loss to the Wolves. Whitinger picked off a pass from Northwest quarterback Mack … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Dawson Whitinger, Ankeny football

‘Our confidence is really growing’: Ankeny girls earn runner-up finish at Jags’ tourney

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Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Early Bird Invitational featured many of the state's top volleyball teams from multiple classes. In the end, the team walking away with the championship was the same one that captured the Class 5A title a year ago and began this season ranked No. 1 among the state's largest schools. Waukee Northwest posted a 25-22, 25-18 … [Read more...] about ‘Our confidence is really growing’: Ankeny girls earn runner-up finish at Jags’ tourney

‘We are excited about the team we have’: Ankeny swimmers set some big goals

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With the bulk of its qualifiers returning from last year's state meet, the Ankeny girls' swimming team enters the 2026 season with some higher expectations. Ankeny placed 27th at the state meet with 17 points after finishing 29th in 2024. Coach Dustin Rhoads' team saw some improvement, but still has a long way to go to again become a top-10 … [Read more...] about ‘We are excited about the team we have’: Ankeny swimmers set some big goals

Jaguars’ passing game unable to keep pace with S.E. Polk’s prolific ground attack

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The Ankeny Centennial football team got off to a promising start in its season opener on Friday. The Jaguars scored a touchdown on the game's first possession and trailed visiting Southeast Polk by just 21-18 at halftime after Noah Manning kicked a 42-yard field goal with 4 seconds left in the second quarter. But the Rams then totally dominated the … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ passing game unable to keep pace with S.E. Polk’s prolific ground attack

‘We were hungry for this’: Hawks build big lead, then hold off NW for huge road win

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Even if its starting lineup is drastically different than a year ago, the Ankeny football team still remembers the heartbreak and the seeding side effects of dropping its 2025 season opener at home against Waukee Northwest. The Hawks got their payback during Friday night’s season opener at Northwest. A stout Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘We were hungry for this’: Hawks build big lead, then hold off NW for huge road win

‘It was a great day of tennis’: Centennial girls defeat Hawkettes in rivalry matchup

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Thursday's Jag-Hawk showdown at the Prairie Ridge courts was about much more than girls' tennis. The two Ankeny teams donated the proceeds from their annual fundraiser to Miracle Travel Works. "Today was a great day to come together as one town and play for something much bigger than tennis!" said Ankeny Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "We had several … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great day of tennis’: Centennial girls defeat Hawkettes in rivalry matchup

‘It was a really cool opportunity’: Jaguars fall to NW, top Waukee in outdoor event

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Thursday night's Marj White Classic at Valley Stadium was a smashing success. All four participating volleyball teams got a unique opportunity to play outdoors under the lights. With very little wind and temperatures in the 70s, the conditions could not have been any better for this special event. "It was a really cool opportunity for our team," said … [Read more...] about ‘It was a really cool opportunity’: Jaguars fall to NW, top Waukee in outdoor event

‘It’s a tough golf course’: Jaguars edge Ankeny by 2 shots for 7th place at Legacy

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It appears that there isn't much separation between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' golf teams. The two squads collided on Thursday for the third time in nine days. They again battled down to the wire to a close finish. The Jaguars shot a 327 and placed seventh among 12 teams in the Waukee Northwest Invitational at The Legacy Golf Club in … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a tough golf course’: Jaguars edge Ankeny by 2 shots for 7th place at Legacy

Hawkettes outlast Ankeny Christian in 3 sets after both teams sweep North Polk

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny and Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball teams were both ranked among the top teams in their respective classes coming into the 2026 season. A winner-take-all third set was needed on Tuesday night to decide which of the two squads was going to open its season with a 2-0 record. The Hawkettes pulled out a 15-13 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes outlast Ankeny Christian in 3 sets after both teams sweep North Polk

Hawks edge Centennial golfers by one shot to win triangular meet at Briarwood

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After losing to Ankeny Centennial by four shots in the Jesse Peck Invitational a week ago, the Ankeny boys' golf team got some revenge Wednesday on the same course. The Hawks shot a 313 to edge Centennial by one stroke in a CIML Conference triangular meet at Briarwood Golf Club. Valley finished a distant third with a 328 total. "I was super happy with … [Read more...] about Hawks edge Centennial golfers by one shot to win triangular meet at Briarwood