Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ari Ehlts, Ankeny Centennial wrestling

by

Junior Ari Ehlts is one of 12 state qualifiers for the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. He helped the Jaguars to a second-place finish in a Class 3A district tournament on Saturday at Marshalltown. The ninth-ranked Ehlts pinned his way to the 160-pound title, capped off by a fall over Gerald Norton of Cedar Falls in 3 minutes 38 seconds. He will take a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ari Ehlts, Ankeny Centennial wrestling

Hawks advance 9 matmen to state, have ‘nothing to lose and everything to gain’

by

The Ankeny wrestling team advanced nine qualifiers to this week's Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena, led by district champion Jace Anderson. The fourth-ranked Hawks placed second in a district tournament on Saturday at Carlisle. The host Wildcats won the team title with 189 points, while Ankeny finished with 168.5. The Hawks had five … [Read more...] about Hawks advance 9 matmen to state, have ‘nothing to lose and everything to gain’

Centennial crowns 3 district champs, advances 9 other wrestlers to state

by

Every year, the goal for Ankeny Centennial coach Jay Groth is to qualify all 14 of his wrestlers for the Class 3A state tournament. On Saturday, the Jaguars came closer than ever to meeting that goal--with help from a new format that allows the top three finishers at each weight to advance to state. Centennial qualified 12 wrestlers while placing … [Read more...] about Centennial crowns 3 district champs, advances 9 other wrestlers to state

Hawks end losing skid with victory over Linn-Mar behind Johnson, Aguirre

by

The Ankeny boys' basketball team got a much-needed victory on Saturday. The Hawks snapped a five-game losing skid with a 69-65 win over Linn-Mar (Marion) in a non-conference game at Valley. "It was a good win for the guys after a tough loss Friday night (to Valley)," said Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson, whose team improved to 7-14 on the season. Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks end losing skid with victory over Linn-Mar behind Johnson, Aguirre

Swanepoel captures 2 state titles, leads Hawk swimmers to 4th-place finish

by

Saturday was an unforgettable day for Lance Swanepoel, coach Justin Crouch and the Ankeny boys' swimming team. Swanepoel capped off his illustrious high school career by winning a pair of individual titles in the state meet at the University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City. He also swam on Ankeny's runner-up 200 and 400 … [Read more...] about Swanepoel captures 2 state titles, leads Hawk swimmers to 4th-place finish

‘We just didn’t have a good shooting night’: Jaguars fall at No. 3 Waukee NW

by

With a five-game winning streak, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team entered Friday's showdown at Waukee Northwest with a whole lot of confidence. After dropping a 74-48 decision to the third-ranked Wolves, the No. 6 Jaguars will have to regroup. "We just didn't have a good shooting night," said Centennial coach Bob Fontana. "The whole … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t have a good shooting night’: Jaguars fall at No. 3 Waukee NW

Centennial girls knock off Wolves, earn 3rd-place finish in CIML Conference

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team used a strong third quarter to pull away for a 54-45 victory at Waukee Northwest in its regular-season finale on Friday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars held a 26-23 lead at halftime. They then outscored Northwest in the third period, 16-9, to build a 42-32 advantage. The Wolves closed the gap to 44-41 in the … [Read more...] about Centennial girls knock off Wolves, earn 3rd-place finish in CIML Conference

‘She was lights out tonight’: Jaeger pours in 30 as Valley girls roll past Hawkettes

by

There wasn't much that Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly could say to his team following the Hawkettes' 67-36 loss to visiting Valley in their regular-season finale on Friday. "Not that we ever want to have this feeling again, but we'd much rather have it tonight than eight days from now," said McAnelly. "If this happens eight days from now, our … [Read more...] about ‘She was lights out tonight’: Jaeger pours in 30 as Valley girls roll past Hawkettes

Ankeny boys fall to No. 4 Valley, will try to rebound Saturday against Linn-Mar

by

The Ankeny boys' basketball team won't have much time to dwell on Friday's loss to visiting Valley. The Hawks will be right back on the court Saturday at Valley to face Linn-Mar (Marion) (7-10) in a non-conference game. Tip-off is at 2:30 p.m. "They've got a good young team," Ankeny coach Brandt Carlson said of the Lions. "It'll be a good challenge for … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys fall to No. 4 Valley, will try to rebound Saturday against Linn-Mar

Swanepoel smashes state record in 100 butterfly, closes in on 50 freestyle mark

by

Ankeny swimmer Lance Swanepoel called his shot a week ago. After winning the 100 butterfly at a district meet in 48.75 seconds, Swanepoel said that a time of 46.8 was calling his name for the state meet. On Friday night during the preliminaries of the state meet at the University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City, the senior … [Read more...] about Swanepoel smashes state record in 100 butterfly, closes in on 50 freestyle mark

Hawk swimmers projected to finish 8th at state; Swanepoel could win 2 titles

by

Top-ranked Waukee is a strong favorite to win a third consecutive boys' swimming state title. The Warriors are projected to score 273 points in the state meet, which begins on Friday with the preliminaries at 5 p.m. at the University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City. The meet concludes on Saturday with the finals at … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers projected to finish 8th at state; Swanepoel could win 2 titles

‘I’m very excited for this next chapter!’: Ankeny’s Carlson to play for Dordt

by

Ankeny volleyball standout Myra Carlson has signed a letter of intent to play at Dordt University. Dordt is a private evangelical Christian university in Sioux Center. The Defenders posted a 13-12 record last season. "I knew I wanted to stay close to home so I narrowed it down to a few NAIA schools in Iowa," said Carlson. "The Christian environment and … [Read more...] about ‘I’m very excited for this next chapter!’: Ankeny’s Carlson to play for Dordt

Ankeny girls place 4th at conference meet; Hawk bowlers finish 5th

by

The Ankeny girls' bowling team placed fourth in the CIML Conference meet on Wednesday at Merle Hay Lanes, while the boys' squad earned a fifth-place finish. The meet consisted of 15 bakers games for the team competition. The individual rounds were comprised of three games. "I'm very proud of how we all bowled," said Ankeny coach Lane Richtsmeier. "We … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls place 4th at conference meet; Hawk bowlers finish 5th

Ankeny swimmer Walker awarded Chancellor Scholarship from SIU

by

Ankeny swimmer Caroline Walker verbally committed to Southern Illinois University last fall. She now knows that her college tuition will be completely covered. "I just found out that I was awarded the Chancellor Scholarship, earning me a four-year, $104,000 full ride," Walker said. Walker was an 11-time state qualifier and a nine-time placewinner in … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmer Walker awarded Chancellor Scholarship from SIU

Ankeny assistant Asbe named head coach of Centennial girls’ track program

by

Tyler Asbe has been named the new head coach of the Ankeny Centennial girls' track team. Asbe spent the last two years as an assistant for the Ankeny girls' squad. "I'm definitely excited to get things going," said Asbe. "The season is right around the corner, and I met the athletes (Wednesday). That just kind of made it feel real." Asbe briefly … [Read more...] about Ankeny assistant Asbe named head coach of Centennial girls’ track program

Regional pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes to host semifinals on Feb. 18

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team won't have to leave its own gym in order to qualify for the Class 5A state tournament. For crosstown rival Ankeny, though, the road to Wells Fargo Arena will likely go through Davenport. The regional pairings were announced on Wednesday by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Sixth-ranked Centennial … [Read more...] about Regional pairings announced: Jaguars, Hawkettes to host semifinals on Feb. 18

Centennial boys top Rams in seesaw battle for Fontana’s 450th career triumph

by

Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana doesn't keep track of his career record. It's a good thing that somebody else does. Fontana earned his 450th career win on Tuesday as the sixth-ranked Jaguars won a seesaw battle at Southeast Polk, 64-61, in a CIML Conference game. "I don't keep track of that, but my wife and daughter do," said … [Read more...] about Centennial boys top Rams in seesaw battle for Fontana’s 450th career triumph

J-Hawks spoil Ankeny boys’ Senior Night as Hawks’ offense fizzles in 2nd half

by

It's been an up-and-down season for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. After winning three straight games in mid-January, the Hawks have now lost four in a row following Tuesday's 59-46 setback to visiting Urbandale. The J-Hawks improved to 2-13 in the CIML Conference and 7-13 overall, while Ankeny's records dropped to 4-11 and 6-13. Both of Urbandale's … [Read more...] about J-Hawks spoil Ankeny boys’ Senior Night as Hawks’ offense fizzles in 2nd half

‘It was a great night for the seniors’: Lewis, Hawkettes roll past Urbandale

by

Kendra Lewis and the other seniors on the Ankeny girls' basketball team wanted to make sure that their Senior Night was a joyous occasion. The 13th-ranked Hawkettes did just that with a 62-24 victory over visiting Urbandale on Tuesday. Lewis, a reserve guard, led the way with 14 points, making 3-of-9 3-pointers. Fellow senior Jenna Pitz scored 12 … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great night for the seniors’: Lewis, Hawkettes roll past Urbandale