Ankeny Christian Academy's state volleyball tournament debut was a smashing success. The seventh-ranked Eagles got off to a fast start and never looked back in a Class 1A quarterfinal against No. 8 Don Bosco on Tuesday night. They rolled to a 25-16, 25-23, 25-14 victory at Xtream Arena in Coralville. "It was crazy," said ACA setter Katie Quick. "It's … [Read more...] about Eagles rout Don Bosco in tourney debut, will play No. 1 Springville in 1A semifinals
Ankeny senior Wehde suffers broken leg, will miss entire boys’ basketball season
The Ankeny boys' basketball team will be missing one of its top players this winter. Senior wing Karson Wehde has suffered a season-ending injury before the Hawks even started practicing. "On Thursday night at open gym I broke the tibia and fibula in my leg," said Wehde. "I had surgery Friday morning, and I'll be out for the whole season." Wehde … [Read more...] about Ankeny senior Wehde suffers broken leg, will miss entire boys’ basketball season
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 202
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews head coach Jessica Rinehart and senior setter Reagan Angus of the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team about the Jaguars' thrilling five-set victory over Dowling Catholic in a Class 5A quarterfinal on Monday and looks ahead to … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 202
‘We just had to keep fighting’: Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic in 5-set thriller
There was nothing scary about the volleyball match between Ankeny Centennial and Dowling Catholic that was played on Halloween. The two CIML Conference rivals simply played an all-time classic on the state's biggest stage. Sixth-ranked Centennial outlasted the No. 4 Maroons, 25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 29-27, 15-11, in a Class 5A quarterfinal at the state … [Read more...] about ‘We just had to keep fighting’: Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic in 5-set thriller
‘Valley just played lights out’: Tigers sweep Ankeny out of Class 5A tourney
The Ankeny volleyball team's 17-match winning streak came to an end in stunning fashion. The second-ranked Hawkettes were swept out of the Class 5A state tournament with a 25-13, 26-24, 25-21 loss to No. 10 Valley in the quarterfinal round on Monday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The Tigers (22-20) avenged three losses to Ankeny during the regular … [Read more...] about ‘Valley just played lights out’: Tigers sweep Ankeny out of Class 5A tourney
Hawkettes, Jaguars (and Eagles) ready to make deep runs in Coralville
When the state volleyball tournament tips off on Monday in Coralville, second-ranked Ankeny and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial will both take the courts at Xtream Arena with a ton of confidence. The Hawkettes (35-4), who are riding a 17-match winning streak, will face No. 10 Valley (21-20) in a Class 5A quarterfinal at noon on Court Two. They already own three … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars (and Eagles) ready to make deep runs in Coralville
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: PJ Westover, Ankeny football
Senior defensive back PJ Westover has helped the Ankeny football team to a 9-1 record and a No. 3 RPI ranking in Class 5A. He ranks second among the Hawks with 39.5 tackles and is tied for the team lead in interceptions with two. Westover had 6.5 tackles in Ankeny's 17-0 win over visiting Sioux City East in the opening round of the playoffs on Friday. He … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: PJ Westover, Ankeny football
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Eric Klingensmith, AHS girls’ cross country
In his final meet as the team's head coach, he guides the Hawkettes to a seventh-place finish in Class 4A. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Eric Klingensmith, AHS girls’ cross country
‘We never had a doubt’: Hawks place 3rd, match highest finish in modern era
The Ankeny boys' cross country team entered Saturday's Class 4A state meet ranked No. 7 in Class 4A. The Hawks were seeking their highest finish ever under coach Jon Lindaman, who guided the team to a fifth-place finish in 2018. They accomplished their goal with a tremendous performance--and even earned a spot on the awards podium for the first time in … [Read more...] about ‘We never had a doubt’: Hawks place 3rd, match highest finish in modern era
Quass places 5th to become 3-time medalist, leads Jags to 4th-place finish
The final race of Rondi Quass' high school cross country career could not have gone much better. The Ankeny Centennial senior raced to a fifth-place finish in the girls' Class 4A state meet on Saturday at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. She broke her own school record with a time of 18 minutes 16 seconds on the 5k course. "That was probably about … [Read more...] about Quass places 5th to become 3-time medalist, leads Jags to 4th-place finish
‘Showing grit, passion and fire’, Hawkettes move up from 15th to place 7th in 4A
Saturday was a day of mixed emotions for the Ankeny girls' cross country team. The 10th-ranked Hawkettes accomplished their goal of a top-10 finish in the Class 4A state meet by placing seventh with 200 points at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. But it was the final meet for a trio of seniors and for coach Eric Klingensmith, who had already announced … [Read more...] about ‘Showing grit, passion and fire’, Hawkettes move up from 15th to place 7th in 4A
Schermerhorn races to 12th-place finish, becoming 2nd Jaguar to medal at state
When Ankeny Centennial's AJ Schermerhorn crossed the finish line in 97th place at last year's boys' Class 4A state cross country meet, he wasn't satisfied with his performance. On Saturday, the junior made up for it. Schermerhorn earned a spot on the awards podium with a 12th-place finish in the 5k race at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. He posted … [Read more...] about Schermerhorn races to 12th-place finish, becoming 2nd Jaguar to medal at state
Hawks record shutout over S.C. East, will host Johnston in Class 5A quarterfinals
Survive and advance. That's all that matters this time of the year. The third-ranked Ankeny football team struggled offensively, but the Hawks' defense rose to the occasion in a 17-0 victory over No. 13 Sioux City East in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "Our defense played really well," said Ankeny coach Rick … [Read more...] about Hawks record shutout over S.C. East, will host Johnston in Class 5A quarterfinals
‘It’s a tough one to swallow’: Turnovers prove costly in Jags’ loss at Cedar Falls
The Ankeny Centennial football players were hoping to finish their season in the UNI-Dome. The Jaguars ended up doing just that, but not in the Class 5A championship game like they would have preferred. No. 12 Centennial traveled to Cedar Falls on Friday and fell to the No. 5 Tigers, 14-10, in the opening round of the playoffs. The Jaguars, who had … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a tough one to swallow’: Turnovers prove costly in Jags’ loss at Cedar Falls
‘We have work to do and aren’t done!’: Eagles look to make deep run at state
A year ago, the Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team couldn't get over the hump in a Class 1A regional final. On Wednesday at Atlantic, the seventh-ranked Eagles didn't let another opportunity to make some history slip away. Ankeny Christian Academy advanced to the state tournament for the first time ever with a sweep over No. 11 Sidney. The Eagles … [Read more...] about ‘We have work to do and aren’t done!’: Eagles look to make deep run at state
‘It was a great night’: Jaguars rout Riders, earn their 9th trip to state in 10 years
One statistic stood out from Tuesday's Class 5A regional volleyball final between sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. The Roughriders finished with more hitting errors (16) than kills (15), resulting in a -.013 hitting percentage. "It was a great night for us," Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart said after her team swept … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great night’: Jaguars rout Riders, earn their 9th trip to state in 10 years
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 201
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews volleyball standouts Myra Carlson of Ankeny and Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial along with Centennial football players Easton Miller and Brody Targgart. Coldwell Banker realtor Ronda Dix also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 201
Hawkettes sweep C.B. Lincoln, will take 17-match winning streak into state
Aowyn Schrader played a key role on Ankeny's state championship volleyball team in 2020. Now, the junior outside hitter would like to experience that feeling again. Schrader pounded nine kills to lead the second-ranked Hawkettes to a 25-11, 25-10, 25-20 victory over No. 14 Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep C.B. Lincoln, will take 17-match winning streak into state
ON TO STATE: Hawkettes, Jaguars punch their tickets to Class 5A tournament
For the third straight year and the seventh time in 10 seasons, both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial are headed to the state volleyball tournament. The second-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 25-11, 25-10, 25-20 victory over No. 14 Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Ankeny. They defeated the Lynx for the second time this season to … [Read more...] about ON TO STATE: Hawkettes, Jaguars punch their tickets to Class 5A tournament
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jake Bosch, Ankeny boys’ cross country
Junior Jake Bosch helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny boys' cross country team to a runner-up finish in a Class 4A district meet on Wednesday at Marshalltown. He placed seventh in the 5k race with a time of 16 minutes to qualify for the state meet as an individual. No. 6 Waukee Northwest won the team title with 48 points, edging Ankeny by two points for the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jake Bosch, Ankeny boys’ cross country