Ankeny Fanatic

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Dan Holm

Waukee softball team rallies twice to sweep doubleheader against Hawkettes

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Despite dropping both games of a doubleheader on Thursday at Waukee, Ankeny softball coach Sarah Saladino saw a lot of positives in her team's play. "The girls showed a ton of grit all night long," she said. "We embraced the pressure tonight." The Hawkettes scored five runs in the sixth inning to take an 8-6 lead in the nightcap. They were only six … [Read more...] about Waukee softball team rallies twice to sweep doubleheader against Hawkettes

‘We gave up too many free bases’: Hawks allow 20 walks in pair of losses at Waukee

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The Ankeny baseball team allowed only 11 total hits during Thursday's doubleheader at Waukee. Unfortunately, the Hawks' pitchers struggled to find the strike zone, giving up a combined 20 walks in the two games. The Warriors took advantage of the free passes to sweep Ankeny by scores of 7-4 and 9-1. "We gave up too many free bases for sure," said … [Read more...] about ‘We gave up too many free bases’: Hawks allow 20 walks in pair of losses at Waukee

Ross shoots 89 in opening round, sits in 39th place in Class 4A state golf meet

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Ankeny's Madalyn Ross sits in the middle of the pack following the opening round of the girls' Class 4A state golf meet. Ross carded a 19-over-par 89 on Thursday at Waverly Municipal Golf Course. The sophomore is in 39th place in a field of 71 golfers. Ross lost nine strokes to par on a pair of holes on the front nine. She had a 9 on the par-4, No. 3 … [Read more...] about Ross shoots 89 in opening round, sits in 39th place in Class 4A state golf meet

‘Those are big momentum killers’: Hawks waste early chances in loss at Johnston

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Some early opportunities to score slipped away from the Ankeny baseball team, and it proved to be costly. The Hawks went on to drop a 9-2 decision at Johnston in their CIML Conference opener on Wednesday. It was the first win of the season for the Dragons, who improved to 1-2 overall. "We had runners on first and second with nobody out early … [Read more...] about ‘Those are big momentum killers’: Hawks waste early chances in loss at Johnston

Arringdale, Hogan, Hutchins hit blasts to lead Hawkettes to 14-7 win at Johnston

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The Ankeny softball team pounded out 18 hits, seven of them for extra bases, and rolled to a 14-7 victory at Johnston in its CIML Conference opener on Wednesday. Every Ankeny starter had at least one base hit, and six of them had multiple hits. The Hawkettes scored five runs in the seventh inning to seal the win after Johnston had rallied from an 8-1 … [Read more...] about Arringdale, Hogan, Hutchins hit blasts to lead Hawkettes to 14-7 win at Johnston

‘This one hurts a bit’: Hawks’ valiant effort falls short in 2-1 loss at No. 5 S.E. Polk

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny boys' soccer team held the lead for nearly 43 of the 80 minutes of play and were tied for a combined 33 minutes. But unfortunately for the Hawks, the 4 minutes and 9 seconds that fifth-ranked Southeast Polk held the lead was all the Rams needed to hold off Ankeny's upset bid. The Hawks conceded two second-half … [Read more...] about ‘This one hurts a bit’: Hawks’ valiant effort falls short in 2-1 loss at No. 5 S.E. Polk

After slow start, No. 1 Jaguars romp past C.R. Jefferson on coach Duax’s birthday

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Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer coach Brian Duax celebrated his birthday with a victory. The top-ranked Jaguars opened postseason play on Wednesday by defeating visiting Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 6-2, in a Class 4A substate semifinal. "Substate is always on my birthday, and it's always good to get a win on your birthday," said Duax. Centennial (14-0-2) … [Read more...] about After slow start, No. 1 Jaguars romp past C.R. Jefferson on coach Duax’s birthday

‘We certainly faced a villain tonight’: Waukee’s Moore shuts down Centennial

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team ran into one of the top pitchers in the CIML Conference in its league opener on Wednesday. Waukee got a strong outing from righthander Brayden Moore to post a 2-1 victory at Centennial. The Iowa Central recruit tossed a four-hitter and had four strikeouts. "He's one of the better pitchers in the area and has … [Read more...] about ‘We certainly faced a villain tonight’: Waukee’s Moore shuts down Centennial

‘I felt really good tonight’: Sandholm hurls one-hit gem, leads Jaguars past Waukee

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It took nearly two years, but Ankeny Centennial pitcher Lauren Sandholm finally got some revenge against the Waukee softball team. Sandholm tossed a one-hitter and had 10 strikeouts to lead the second-ranked Jaguars to a 6-0 victory over visiting Waukee in their CIML Conference opener on Wednesday. The junior had not faced the Warriors since the end of … [Read more...] about ‘I felt really good tonight’: Sandholm hurls one-hit gem, leads Jaguars past Waukee

‘I didn’t play near my capabilities at all’: Weichers falls twice at state tennis meet

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Ankeny junior Garrett Weichers was hoping to stay alive until Thursday in the boys' state tennis tournament at Iowa City. Unfortunately, Weichers' run in the Class 2A singles bracket came to an end on Wednesday, when he was eliminated from the tournament after losing his first two matches. "I was really disappointed with the way I played," said … [Read more...] about ‘I didn’t play near my capabilities at all’: Weichers falls twice at state tennis meet

‘We just need to be more consistent’: Ankeny held to 3 hits in 4-1 loss to ADM

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After scoring 17 runs in its season opener on Wednesday, the Ankeny softball team managed just three hits in a 4-1 loss to visiting ADM (Adel) in a non-conference game on Tuesday. ADM got a combined 11 strikeouts from Makenna Pitlick and Lauren Hagedorn. Pitlick tossed three perfect innings to earn the win. It was the season opener for the Tigers, who … [Read more...] about ‘We just need to be more consistent’: Ankeny held to 3 hits in 4-1 loss to ADM

Jaguars beat Roosevelt again, will host Waukee in CIML opener on Wednesday

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The hitters on the Ankeny Centennial baseball team struggled against Des Moines Roosevelt starter Joey Ahrens on Tuesday night. Fortunately for Centennial, Ahrens wasn't able to pitch a complete game. The senior allowed just one run on three hits and had five strikeouts over the first four innings. But he was replaced after throwing 82 pitches, and the … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat Roosevelt again, will host Waukee in CIML opener on Wednesday

Ex-Jaguar Churchman earns postseason honor after debut season at NICC

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Former Ankeny Centennial baseball standout Damin Churchman has earned all-region honors from the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference. The Northeast Iowa Community College first baseman was named to the honorable mention list along with teammate Jack Fenwick, a pitcher. Both players are freshmen. After a slow start to the season, Churchman found … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar Churchman earns postseason honor after debut season at NICC

Jaguars defeat Bettendorf at Herkelman Invite before falling to Iowa City High, 2-1

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team split a pair of games on Saturday in the Herkelman Invitational at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. The Jaguars posted a 7-3 victory over Bettendorf before dropping a 2-1 decision to Iowa City High for their first loss of the season. "I'm really happy with the way the guys are playing right now," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars defeat Bettendorf at Herkelman Invite before falling to Iowa City High, 2-1

Hawks rally for 2 runs in 7th inning, beat Dubuque Hempstead for their first victory

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The Ankeny baseball team rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to earn its first win of the season on Saturday. Ryan Wille hit a walk-off single to give the Hawks a 5-4 victory over Dubuque Hempstead in the Herkelman Invitational at Cedar Rapids Xavier. Wille went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs. "We had some good at-bats, ran the … [Read more...] about Hawks rally for 2 runs in 7th inning, beat Dubuque Hempstead for their first victory

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Hayden Carlson, Ankeny boys’ track

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Ankeny senior Hayden Carlson raced to an historic victory in the 110 hurdles at the Class 4A state meet on Saturday at Drake Stadium. He pulled away from the field to post an all-time Iowa best of 13.52 seconds, breaking the previous record of 13.55 that was set by Cedar Rapids Prairie's Quinton Alexander at the 2025 Drake Relays. Carlson also ran on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Hayden Carlson, Ankeny boys’ track

‘We have been waiting for this’: Hawkettes place 3rd in 4A, earn first trophy since ’97

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It has been nearly 30 years since Ankeny captured a team trophy at the girls' state track meet. The drought finally came to an end on Saturday at Drake Stadium.t The Hawkettes won two more event titles on the last day of the meet and finished with 67 points, allowing them to hoist the third-place trophy in Class 4A. It was the program's highest finish … [Read more...] about ‘We have been waiting for this’: Hawkettes place 3rd in 4A, earn first trophy since ’97

‘It’s all for the team’: Humble Carlson races to all-time Iowa best 13.52 in 110 hurdles

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It took only 13.52 seconds for Ankeny senior Hayden Carlson to run the 110 hurdles on Saturday at the boys' Class 4A state track meet. Nobody in state history has ever run a faster time. But after winning his first individual title, Carlson tried to deflect the attention away from himself. "It's not about me," he said. "It's all for the team. … [Read more...] about ‘It’s all for the team’: Humble Carlson races to all-time Iowa best 13.52 in 110 hurdles

‘I knew we had it in us’: Centennial girls earn first top-10 finish in school history

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Ankeny Centennial senior Aly Balashaitis stood on the infield at Drake Stadium on Saturday afternoon and soaked up the atmosphere. The Jaguars had just finished in a seventh-place tie with Valley in the girls' Class 4A state track meet. Both teams scored 35 points. It was the first top-10 finish in Centennial's school history. The Jaguars had … [Read more...] about ‘I knew we had it in us’: Centennial girls earn first top-10 finish in school history