Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

Ankeny softball trio, Centennial duo named to all-conference first team

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Three Ankeny softball players and two from Ankeny Centennial have been named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. Senior outfielder Mariah Parton of Ankeny was one of eight unanimous picks to the first team. She led the Hawkettes to a 27-13 record, batting .434 with five triples and 40 RBIs. Parton's teammates, … [Read more...] about Ankeny softball trio, Centennial duo named to all-conference first team

Ankeny’s Fulk earns all-district honors along with Centennial’s Stahr, Starr

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A trio of softball players from Ankeny has earned all-district honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Senior outfielder Eva Fulk of Ankeny was named to the Class 5A West team along with two players from Ankeny Centennial, junior pitcher Jadeyn Stahr and sophomore third baseman Addi Starr. Fulk helped the Hawkettes to a 27-13 record this … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Fulk earns all-district honors along with Centennial’s Stahr, Starr

Five Jaguars, two Hawks, three Eagles earn all-district baseball honors

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Five Ankeny Centennial baseball players have received all-district honors from the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association along with two from Ankeny and three more from Ankeny Christian Academy. The Jaguars placed junior catcher Nick Severson, junior second baseman Damin Churchman, junior third baseman Kyle Miller and sophomore utility player Joey … [Read more...] about Five Jaguars, two Hawks, three Eagles earn all-district baseball honors

Headed to the Bayou: Iowa pitcher Fulk transfers to LSU Eunice

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Weston Fulk committed to play baseball at Iowa prior to his sophomore season at Ankeny High School. After staying committed to the Hawkeyes for three years, Fulk spent only one season in Iowa City before making the decision to leave. The lefthanded pitcher announced on Monday via Twitter that he will transfer to LSU Eunice, the only junior college … [Read more...] about Headed to the Bayou: Iowa pitcher Fulk transfers to LSU Eunice

Q & A with Ankeny Centennial sophomore pitcher Joey Oakie

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Sophomore pitcher Joey Oakie was one of the stars of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. He posted a 3-3 record with a 1.92 ERA and a team-high 63 strikeouts this season. He also batted .347 with one home run, six doubles and 21 RBIs. Here is a Q & A between Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm and Oakie, who was planning to attend the Class 4A … [Read more...] about Q & A with Ankeny Centennial sophomore pitcher Joey Oakie

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kyle Miller, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Junior third baseman Kyle Miller helped the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 25-14 record this season. The Jaguars tied for second place in the CIML Iowa Conference with a 16-6 mark. Miller batted .383 with three home runs, seven doubles and 25 RBIs. He had a pair of hits in the Jaguars' 3-2 loss at No. 1 Johnston in a Class 4A substate … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kyle Miller, Ankeny Centennial baseball

‘I knew it was the best place for me!’: Clark commits to play for Wayne State

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Ankeny Centennial's Makenna Clark has committed to play basketball at Wayne State College, beginning in the fall of 2023. The junior guard made her decision after visiting Wayne State and a few other schools. "The coaching staff was very welcoming, and when I left the visit, I knew it was the best place for me!" Clark said. Clark averaged 6.2 points … [Read more...] about ‘I knew it was the best place for me!’: Clark commits to play for Wayne State

‘We gave it our all’: Jaguars push No. 1 Johnston to the limit in substate final

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The members of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team shared some hugs on the field Wednesday. Even though their season didn't end the way they wanted it to, the Jaguars are still a close-knit group. "I'm so proud of my teammates," said sophomore pitcher Joey Oakie. "I couldn't ask for anyone better to be my teammates. They're my brothers, and since the … [Read more...] about ‘We gave it our all’: Jaguars push No. 1 Johnston to the limit in substate final

Linn-Mar erupts for 7 runs in 6th inning, denies Jaguars another trip to state

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One bad inning proved to be costly for the Ankeny Centennial softball team. Eighth-ranked Linn-Mar (Marion) erupted for seven runs in the sixth inning to defeat the No. 5 Jaguars, 9-4, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. "We knew Linn-Mar was going to be a good team," said Centennial coach Brett Delaney. "They came out and swung the … [Read more...] about Linn-Mar erupts for 7 runs in 6th inning, denies Jaguars another trip to state

‘The season ended too soon’: Hawkettes fall short in regional final at S.E. Polk

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Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham didn't want the season to end. He really wanted to coach the seniors on this year's squad for another week. The 11th-ranked Hawkettes fell one win short of a trip to the Class 5A state tournament. They dropped a 4-3 decision at No. 7 Southeast Polk in a regional final on Tuesday. "We're definitely heartbroken … [Read more...] about ‘The season ended too soon’: Hawkettes fall short in regional final at S.E. Polk

WALK-OFF MAGIC!: Churchman’s 2-run single advances Jaguars to substate final

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The Ankeny Centennial baseball team finally solved Mason City pitcher Carter Thomas. Damin Churchman hit a two-run single with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the fifth-ranked Jaguars a thrilling 2-1 victory over visiting Mason City in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Monday. "My approach was just to shorten up my swing and just try … [Read more...] about WALK-OFF MAGIC!: Churchman’s 2-run single advances Jaguars to substate final

Indianola’s fast start proves to be too much for Hawks to overcome in 8-5 loss

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A rough start resulted in a season-ending loss for the Ankeny baseball team on Monday. Visiting Indianola jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the first two innings and went on to defeat the Hawks, 8-5, in a Class 4A substate semifinal. The Indians (25-12) advanced to Wednesday's substate final at 10th-ranked Urbandale (25-14). "They competed all night, and I … [Read more...] about Indianola’s fast start proves to be too much for Hawks to overcome in 8-5 loss

‘We just couldn’t push that tying run across’: Eagles fall to Ogden in 8 innings

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Ankeny Christian Academy's dream season on the baseball diamond came to an end on Saturday. But the memories of an historic campaign will not be soon forgotten. The ninth-ranked Eagles lost to Ogden, 3-2, in eight innings in a Class 1A district final at Urbandale. They finished the best season in school history with a 26-2 record. "That was one … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t push that tying run across’: Eagles fall to Ogden in 8 innings

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Solis, Ankeny Centennial softball

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Senior shortstop Lauren Solis has helped the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team to a 25-12 record. She is batting .333 with four doubles and 20 RBIs. The Jaguars posted a 4-3 victory over visiting Waterloo West in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. Solis watched the game from the dugout due to a season-ending injury that she suffered … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lauren Solis, Ankeny Centennial softball

Survive and advance: Jaguars hold off Waterloo West, will host Linn-Mar next

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Survive and advance. That's all that matters in postseason play. The Ankeny Centennial softball team got a tougher-than-expected battle from visiting Waterloo West in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday, but the fifth-ranked Jaguars held on for a 4-3 victory. "Postseason time brings out the best in everybody," said Centennial coach Brett … [Read more...] about Survive and advance: Jaguars hold off Waterloo West, will host Linn-Mar next

Hawkettes rout C.R. Kennedy behind timely hitting, Rusher’s strong effort

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The Ankeny softball team didn't need a lot of help from its opponent on Saturday. The 11th-ranked Hawkettes got some anyway. Ankeny pounded out nine hits and took advantage of six errors by visiting Cedar Rapids Kennedy to defeat the Cougars, 13-2, in five innings in a Class 5A regional semifinal. "It was awesome," said Ankeny outfielder Eva Fulk, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout C.R. Kennedy behind timely hitting, Rusher’s strong effort

Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz wanted his team to get off to a fast start. The Hawks did exactly that and then some. Ankeny scored six runs in the first inning, three more in the second and went on to defeat visiting Des Moines East, 13-3, in five innings in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "Those early runs took the pressure off," … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past East in substate opener, will host Indianola on Monday