Ankeny Fanatic

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Dan Holm

Johnson’s transition to Division I level off to good start on Pioneers’ road trip

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Carson Johnson's transition to the NCAA Division I level is off to a good start. The former Ankeny basketball star has scored a total of 27 points in his first two games at Denver University after transferring from Minnesota State-Moorhead. The Pioneers have lost their first two games on a season-opening road trip under first-year coach Tim Bergstraser, … [Read more...] about Johnson’s transition to Division I level off to good start on Pioneers’ road trip

Ankeny junior Subbert qualifies for state diving meet with score of 319.60 points

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Ankeny junior Kambelle Subbert has qualified for the state diving meet. Subbert posted a score of 319.60 points in a regional meet on Thursday at Summit Middle School in Johnston. She was the last of the 32 qualifiers for the state meet, which will be held on Nov. 13-14 at the University of Iowa Campus Recreation & Wellness Center in Iowa … [Read more...] about Ankeny junior Subbert qualifies for state diving meet with score of 319.60 points

PK ends Bulldogs’ season, but Pennington earns all-conference first-team honors

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The season came to an end on Thursday for Alanna Pennington and the Drake women's soccer team. The top-seeded Bulldogs dropped a 1-0 decision to Illinois State in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament at Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines. A late penalty kick in the 85th minute from the Redbirds' Abby Hall proved to be the difference in … [Read more...] about PK ends Bulldogs’ season, but Pennington earns all-conference first-team honors

‘We just ran into a giant’: Jaguars earn runner-up trophy in 5A state tournament

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When the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team lost a five-set thriller at Waukee Northwest on Sept. 2, it turned out to be a preview of Thursday's Class 5A championship match at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The final meeting between the two CIML Conference rivals, though, wasn't nearly as close. Top-ranked Northwest captured its second state title in three … [Read more...] about ‘We just ran into a giant’: Jaguars earn runner-up trophy in 5A state tournament

Centennial stars Lei-Butters, Schmidt named to Class 5A all-tournament team

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Ankeny Centennial volleyball standouts Mya Lei-Butters and Tatem Schmidt were both named to the Class 5A all-tournament team after leading the Jaguars to a runner-up finish in the state tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Second-ranked Centennial dropped a 25-10, 25-21, 25-18 decision to No. 1 Waukee Northwest in the title match on Thursday morning. … [Read more...] about Centennial stars Lei-Butters, Schmidt named to Class 5A all-tournament team

Baethke accepts Hall of Fame award on behalf of Inderski, her ex-Urbandale star

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Former Urbandale star Kyla Inderski was inducted into the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Volleyball Hall of Fame on Thursday during the state tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Ankeny coach Liz Baethke, who coached at Urbandale for 23 years before taking over the Hawkettes' program in 2023, accepted the award on behalf of her former player. … [Read more...] about Baethke accepts Hall of Fame award on behalf of Inderski, her ex-Urbandale star

‘We played as hard as we could’: Ankeny’s tourney run ends with loss to No. 1 Wolves

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It was going to take a monumental upset for the Ankeny volleyball team to advance to Thursday's championship match in the Class 5A state tournament. It didn't happen, but it wasn't due to a lack of effort. "I am so proud of this team," said Ankeny junior Marlee Ellison. "We've worked so hard all season, and we just have a really great bond. I think … [Read more...] about ‘We played as hard as we could’: Ankeny’s tourney run ends with loss to No. 1 Wolves

Jags sweep Valley to get over semifinal hump, will play Waukee NW for 5A crown

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The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team finally got over the hump. The second-ranked Jaguars advanced to the Class 5A championship match for the first time since 2018 with a sweep over No. 7 Valley on Wednesday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. They had lost in the semifinal round in each of the last three years. "It feels great," Centennial coach Jessica … [Read more...] about Jags sweep Valley to get over semifinal hump, will play Waukee NW for 5A crown

‘It’s just the best feeling’: Hawkettes oust Dowling in 5-set thriller, earn shot at NW

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Quinn Roush wasn't a major part of the Ankeny volleyball team's offensive attack during Monday's Class 5A quarterfinals at Xtream Arena in Coralville. But the junior middle hitter picked the perfect time to pound just her second kill of the day. Roush put the ball down to give the sixth-ranked Hawkettes a thrilling five-set victory over No. 5 Dowling … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just the best feeling’: Hawkettes oust Dowling in 5-set thriller, earn shot at NW

‘They put us on their backs’: Cheeseman, Schmidt lead Jags to sweep over I.C. West

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A third consecutive postseason sweep has put the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team in a familiar spot. The second-ranked Jaguars posted a 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 victory over No. 8 Iowa City West in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Monday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. They advanced to the semifinals for the fourth year in a row. "It feels really good. It's … [Read more...] about ‘They put us on their backs’: Cheeseman, Schmidt lead Jags to sweep over I.C. West

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Davis Johnson, Centennial boys’ cross country

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Senior Davis Johnson helped the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team to a third-place finish in the Class 4A state meet on Saturday at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. It was the Jaguars' highest finish in school history. Johnson placed 43rd in the 5K race in a field of 130 runners. He posted a time of 16 minutes 14.1 seconds. Here is some … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Davis Johnson, Centennial boys’ cross country

‘It was a bittersweet day’: Eagles place 3rd at state, but will have to replace 3 seniors

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For the second year in a row, the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' cross country team captured a trophy at the Class 1A state meet. The third-ranked Eagles scored 124 points on Saturday to earn a third-place finish at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. It followed the team's runner-up finish a year ago. "It was a bittersweet day for sure," said ACA … [Read more...] about ‘It was a bittersweet day’: Eagles place 3rd at state, but will have to replace 3 seniors

‘We knew we had it in us’: Jaguars place 3rd in 4A, capture trophy for first time

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A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team didn't even qualify for the Class 4A state meet. On Saturday, the Jaguars found themselves on the awards podium following this year's meet at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. They placed third with 157 points, by far the highest finish in school history. Centennial's previous best was a … [Read more...] about ‘We knew we had it in us’: Jaguars place 3rd in 4A, capture trophy for first time

Podium finishers Blevins, Flick lead Jags to 5th place in 4A, school-record score

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team was looking to earn a spot on the awards podium for only the second time in school history. The sixth-ranked Jaguars settled for a school record instead. Centennial placed fifth in the Class 4A state meet on Saturday at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. The Jaguars scored 136 points, five fewer than … [Read more...] about Podium finishers Blevins, Flick lead Jags to 5th place in 4A, school-record score

Ankeny’s Madetzke, Smith overcome adversity to finish careers at state meet

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Ankeny seniors Makenna Madetzke and Isaiah Smith closed out their high school cross country careers on Saturday in similar fashion. They both competed in the Class 4A state meet at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge as individuals after their respective teams failed to qualify. "It was a little different, but I train a lot alone in the winter time," … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Madetzke, Smith overcome adversity to finish careers at state meet

‘We didn’t play well enough to win’: Hawks’ season ends with loss to reigning champs

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There was nothing that the Ankeny football players would’ve enjoyed more than being the team to officially end the four-year championship reign of the Southeast Polk Rams. But one too many mistakes on a cold Halloween night and a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute ended Ankeny’s season well short of what the Hawks were … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t play well enough to win’: Hawks’ season ends with loss to reigning champs

‘We just came up a little bit short’: Jaguars’ late rally falls short in loss at Johnston

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After twice falling behind by three touchdowns, the Ankeny Centennial football team could have let its season come to an uneventful conclusion. But the Jaguars refused to go away quietly. Visiting Centennial rallied for a pair of scores and had a chance to drive for a tying touchdown in the final minutes before third-seeded Johnston held on for a 34-26 … [Read more...] about ‘We just came up a little bit short’: Jaguars’ late rally falls short in loss at Johnston