Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

No. 1 Fort Dodge sweeps No. 2 Jaguars in rematch of last year’s 5A title game

by

There isn't much of a gap between the state's top two softball teams in Class 5A. However, top-ranked Fort Dodge still has the edge over No. 2 Ankeny Centennial. In a rematch of last year's Class 5A championship game, the host Dodgers swept a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader on Tuesday. They walked off with a 3-2 win in the first game, then hit a … [Read more...] about No. 1 Fort Dodge sweeps No. 2 Jaguars in rematch of last year’s 5A title game

Matthews scores winning goal, then gets sweaty hugs as Hawkettes advance

by

Most people don't like sweaty hugs. Ankeny senior Avery Matthews doesn't seem to mind them, though. Matthews scored the game's only goal in the 76th minute and the third-ranked Hawkettes defeated No. 7 Pleasant Valley, 1-0, in the quarterfinals of the girls' Class 3A state soccer tournament on Tuesday at Cownie Park. "It was incredible," Matthews … [Read more...] about Matthews scores winning goal, then gets sweaty hugs as Hawkettes advance

‘We were really motivated’: Centennial’s revenge tour begins with win over NW

by

The Class 3A state tournament could become a revenge tour for the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team. The fifth-ranked Jaguars avenged one of their three losses with a 2-1 victory over No. 4 Waukee Northwest in a Class 3A quarterfinal on Tuesday at Cownie Park. The Wolves had posted a 1-0 win over Centennial on May 13. "We were really motivated, and … [Read more...] about ‘We were really motivated’: Centennial’s revenge tour begins with win over NW

Kumm to Iowa City: Ex-Ankeny receiver commits to play for Hawkeyes

by

Another former Ankeny wide receiver will be joining the Iowa football program. Jordan Kumm, who helped Iowa Central Community College to a 9-2 record last year, has committed to the Hawkeyes. He announced his commitment via Twitter on Tuesday. "After my first visit, I felt like there wasn't really anywhere else that I would rather be," said Kumm, who … [Read more...] about Kumm to Iowa City: Ex-Ankeny receiver commits to play for Hawkeyes

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kellen Jones, Ankeny Centennial boys’ tennis

by

Senior Kellen Jones was the No. 2 player for the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team this season. He helped the Jaguars advance to a Class 2A substate final earlier this month. Jones and freshman Brayden Wellendorf qualified for the Class 2A state tournament in doubles. They finished with a 5-4 record after losing their first two matches on Tuesday at the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kellen Jones, Ankeny Centennial boys’ tennis

Patton homers, Dunwoody racks up 8 strikeouts in Hawks’ 4-2 loss at Johnston

by

A three-run first inning lifted the top-ranked Johnston baseball team to a 4-2 victory over visiting Ankeny on Friday, allowing the Dragons to improve to 9-0 on the season. The non-conference game was a rematch of last year's Class 4A semifinal, which was won by Johnston, 5-0. The Hawks (2-3) were held to five hits by a trio of Johnston pitchers. … [Read more...] about Patton homers, Dunwoody racks up 8 strikeouts in Hawks’ 4-2 loss at Johnston

Klunder’s walk-off hit caps rally, gives Jaguars 5-4 victory over No. 6 Bettendorf

by

Bouncing back from a loss earlier in the day, the second-ranked Ankeny Centennial softball team rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat No. 6 Bettendorf, 5-4, on Friday at the Johnston Invitational. Lizzy Klunder capped the rally with a walk-off hit that drove in pinch-runner Addie Pollock from third with the winning run. "She … [Read more...] about Klunder’s walk-off hit caps rally, gives Jaguars 5-4 victory over No. 6 Bettendorf

Smith places 4th in Class 2A, equaling highest finish ever by player from Ankeny

by

Ankeny's Kira Smith will likely have three more chances to win a girls' state tennis title. And next time, Dowling Catholic's Allison Szalay won't be in her way. Smith's bid for the Class 2A singles crown came to an end on Saturday morning, when the fourth-seeded freshman dropped a 6-1, 6-1 decision to the top-seeded and defending champion Szalay in … [Read more...] about Smith places 4th in Class 2A, equaling highest finish ever by player from Ankeny

‘We made a nice jump’: Hawkettes score 4 runs in 7th to seal 7-2 win at Carlisle

by

The Ankeny softball team used a four-run seventh inning to seal a 7-2 victory at Carlisle in a non-conference game on Friday. The Hawkettes improved their record to 1-2 after losing both ends of a doubleheader at fifth-ranked Waukee Northwest on Monday. It was the season opener for Carlisle, the No. 9 team in Class 4A. "Carlisle and Northwest are very … [Read more...] about ‘We made a nice jump’: Hawkettes score 4 runs in 7th to seal 7-2 win at Carlisle

NO ORDINARY SMITH: Ankeny freshman advances to Class 2A singles semifinals

by

A dramatic rally allowed Ankeny freshman Kira Smith to advance to the semifinals of the Class 2A singles bracket in the girls' state tennis tournament on Friday at Waukee Northwest. The fourth-seeded Smith won the final four games in the third set to post a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 victory over Sasha Hyacinth of Waterloo West in the quarterfinals. She raised her … [Read more...] about NO ORDINARY SMITH: Ankeny freshman advances to Class 2A singles semifinals

Jaguars again shoot season-best score, finish 10th in Class 4A state meet

by

There was nothing to lose for the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team on Friday. Sitting in 10th place heading into the final round of the Class 4A state meet at Otter Creek, the Jaguars simply went out to have fun on a beautiful day for golf. "I think it helped a lot," Centennial sophomore Payton Drefke said of the sunny skies and temperatures in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars again shoot season-best score, finish 10th in Class 4A state meet

‘The girls were fantastic’: Hawkettes top Cedar Falls, earn 5th straight trip to state

by

Kennedy Macke grabbed the state qualifier banner from Ankeny Activities Director Andy Umthun and held it high above her head as her Ankeny girls' soccer teammates screamed with joy. The ultimate prize that Macke wants, though, is the Class 3A championship trophy. "With being on the wrong side of the final last year, there's no lack of motivation in … [Read more...] about ‘The girls were fantastic’: Hawkettes top Cedar Falls, earn 5th straight trip to state

Saves by Bergan, Becker allow Jaguars to outlast Johnston, return to state tourney

by

The Johnston girls' soccer team entered Thursday's Class 3A regional final at Ankeny Centennial with a pedestrian 9-7 mark. Centennial coach Chris Allen and his players knew, however, that the 14th-ranked Dragons were better than what their record showed. "We went to overtime with them earlier this season so we were expecting a really competitive … [Read more...] about Saves by Bergan, Becker allow Jaguars to outlast Johnston, return to state tourney

‘I’m not disappointed at all!’: Jaguars sit in 10th place after shooting a 364

by

The Ankeny Centennial girls' golf squad sits at the bottom of the team standings heading into Friday's final round in the Class 4A state meet at Otter Creek. Centennial coach John Petersen isn't concerned, however, with where the Jaguars finish in the 10-team field. "I'm not disappointed at all!" Petersen said. "We shot our best score of the year. I am … [Read more...] about ‘I’m not disappointed at all!’: Jaguars sit in 10th place after shooting a 364

‘We still have lots of work to do’: Hawks earn trip to state, will face Waukee NW

by

Lucas Newhard joined the Ankeny boys' soccer team this season with the hope of qualifying for the state tournament. Newhard accomplished his goal on Wednesday night. The senior forward scored two goals to lead the top-ranked Hawks to a 3-0 victory over visiting Sioux City East in a Class 3A substate final. "It’s an amazing feeling to go to state," … [Read more...] about ‘We still have lots of work to do’: Hawks earn trip to state, will face Waukee NW

‘It feels so good!’: Jaguars advance to state, will play Urbandale next

by

Even with a sore back, Ankeny Centennial's Rashidi Ishibwami could not contain his excitement following Wednesday's Class 3A substate final against the visiting Des Moines Hoover boys' soccer team. Ishibwami scored a goal in the first half and the fifth-ranked Jaguars overcame the rainy conditions to post a 2-1 victory that allowed them to qualify for the … [Read more...] about ‘It feels so good!’: Jaguars advance to state, will play Urbandale next

Peterson places 5th in Class 2A, sets his sights on state championship next year

by

There's little doubt that Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis standout Caleb Peterson will be one of the favorites to win the Class 2A state singles title next year. "That's definitely my goal--to win state," Peterson said. The junior earned a fifth-place finish in Class 2A on Wednesday with a dominant performance at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation … [Read more...] about Peterson places 5th in Class 2A, sets his sights on state championship next year

‘It was just a scrappy game’: Harrington scores twice, leads Ankeny to 5-0 win

by

The Waterloo Schools girls' soccer team was determined not to give up any goals on Tuesday night. A torrential rain made it even more difficult for third-ranked Ankeny to find the net in a Class 3A regional semifinal at Ankeny. Eventually, though, the Hawkettes solved Waterloo's strategy and posted a 5-0 victory. "The weather was a nightmare for … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a scrappy game’: Harrington scores twice, leads Ankeny to 5-0 win