Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

Hawkettes return 8 starters, will seek 4th straight appearance in 3A title game

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For much of the 2021 season, the Ankeny girls' soccer team flew under the radar. That won't be the case this year. The Hawkettes return eight starters from a team that posted a 14-5 record and advanced to the Class 3A championship game before dropping a 1-0 decision to Valley. It was Ankeny's third consecutive appearance in the title game. "We have … [Read more...] about Hawkettes return 8 starters, will seek 4th straight appearance in 3A title game

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddox Ward, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Junior guard Maddox Ward helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 19-5 record this season. He was one of the Hawks' top reserves, playing in 23 of the 24 games. Ward averaged 2.7 points and 1.7 assists per game. He had six points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in Ankeny's 55-53 loss to Johnston in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maddox Ward, Ankeny boys’ basketball

‘We’re just trying to be competitive’: Jags look to rebuild after historic season

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Coming off the best season in school history, the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team faces a rebuilding year in 2022. The Jaguars placed third in last year's Class 4A state meet with 61 points, the school's highest finish ever. Many of the standouts from that team, however, will have to be replaced. State runners-up Tommy Collins (400) and D'Eric Smith … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just trying to be competitive’: Jags look to rebuild after historic season

‘We don’t see any weaknesses’: Jaguars look to build on last year’s success

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On paper, the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team appears to have a lot of experience. The Jaguars return 12 varsity players, including eight starters, from a squad that posted a 15-5 record and won the CIML Iowa Conference title a year ago. "We return a lot of players with varsity experience, but every year is different," said Centennial coach Brian … [Read more...] about ‘We don’t see any weaknesses’: Jaguars look to build on last year’s success

MACU guard Wycoff named to all-Central Region second team by NCCAA

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Sydney Wycoff has earned all-region honors from the National Christian College Athletic Association. Wycoff, a junior guard for the Mid-America Christian women's team, was selected to the all-Central Region second team. It is her first all-region honor. The 5-foot-6 Wycoff is in the midst of her best year … [Read more...] about MACU guard Wycoff named to all-Central Region second team by NCCAA

Ankeny’s Crandall, Centennial’s Kelling named to Iowa Conference first team

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Boys' basketball standouts Ryan Crandall of Ankeny and Caden Kelling of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's coaches. Crandall, a senior forward, led the Hawks to a 19-5 record and a trip to the Class 4A state tournament. He averaged a team-high 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crandall, Centennial’s Kelling named to Iowa Conference first team

Ex-Ankeny hoops standout Johnson to leave Northern State after freshman year

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Former Ankeny girls' basketball standout Abby Johnson has entered the transfer portal. Johnson, a freshman guard at Northern State, announced her decision earlier this week via Twitter. "I would like to thank coach Krueger, coach Neumann, and coach Clark for the opportunity to be a part of their program," Johnson tweeted. "To my teammates, thank you … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny hoops standout Johnson to leave Northern State after freshman year

‘We feel like we are a top-5 team’: Ankeny girls boast young, talented squad

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Thomas Cotter is hoping to make the most of his final season as the Ankeny girls' track coach. Cotter, who is going to Carlisle at the end of the school year, has already had a lot of success with the Hawkettes. "We have accomplished a lot in the four years I have been here," said Cotter. "With a COVID year, we have won three state championships (in … [Read more...] about ‘We feel like we are a top-5 team’: Ankeny girls boast young, talented squad

‘That won us the game’: Johnston’s free throws end Ankeny boys’ season at 19-5

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Ankeny's JJ Kohl grabbed the rebound in the lane and put the ball back in the hoop as time expired. It was a meaningless basket in the grand scheme of things, because it didn't prevent third-seeded Johnston from advancing to the Class 4A semifinals of the boys' state basketball tournament. But it showed what the sixth-seeded Hawks are all … [Read more...] about ‘That won us the game’: Johnston’s free throws end Ankeny boys’ season at 19-5

THE END OF THE ROAD: Hawks fall to Johnston in Class 4A quarterfinals

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Steven Kramer scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and third-seeded Johnston rallied to beat sixth-seeded Ankeny, 55-53, in the Class 4A quarterfinals of the boys' state basketball tournament on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Kramer made a 3-point goal with 5 minutes 15 seconds left to put his team ahead for good, 45-44, in a seesaw affair … [Read more...] about THE END OF THE ROAD: Hawks fall to Johnston in Class 4A quarterfinals

Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

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Chalk up another postseason honor for the duo of Cleao Murray and Jenna Pitz. The two girls' basketball standouts have both received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Murray, a senior guard at Ankeny Centennial, was named to the Class 5A second team. Pitz, a junior guard at Ankeny, was a third-team pick. Both players were … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

‘I’m so excited’: Kohut Lynch hired to take over Ankeny volleyball program

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Dani Kohut Lynch has some big shoes to fill. Fortunately, she has some big shoes of her own. Kohut Lynch, a former St. Cloud State player and Luther College head coach, has been hired to replace legendary Ankeny volleyball coach Dave Whims. "I'm so excited," said Kohut Lynch. "The tradition at Ankeny is so rich. I don't have to re-invent the wheel … [Read more...] about ‘I’m so excited’: Kohut Lynch hired to take over Ankeny volleyball program

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

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When the Class 4A state tournament tips off on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena, a lot of eyes will be focused on standout point guard Tamin Lipsey of Ames. The top-ranked Little Cyclones were a prohibitive favorite to capture the Class 4A crown before Lipsey suffered a hamstring injury during a win at Marshalltown on Feb. 1. The Iowa State recruit then sat … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association

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Girls' basketball standouts Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny have received all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Murray, a senior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. Pitz, a junior guard, was a third-team selection. Murray led the Jaguars to a 20-4 record and a repeat appearance in the Class … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association

Elite sprinter Miller one of many strengths for Ankeny boys’ track team

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Tyrese Miller and the Ankeny boys' track team are ready to make some noise this season. Miller, one of the state's top sprinters, helped the Hawks to a 15th-place finish in last year's Class 4A state meet. He is among the team's 11 returning state qualifiers. "Tyrese had a great junior season and is poised to have a great senior campaign," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Elite sprinter Miller one of many strengths for Ankeny boys’ track team

With 115 girls out and 12 state qualifiers returning, Jaguars have a lot of options

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team has grown by more than 40 percent. "We have 115 kids out right now, up from 80 last year," said Centennial coach Andrew Kruzich. "We've had a massive jump, which is exciting and challenging." The Jaguars, who are slated to compete in the UNI Indoor Meet on Monday at Cedar Falls, placed 14th in last year's Class … [Read more...] about With 115 girls out and 12 state qualifiers returning, Jaguars have a lot of options