Ankeny Fanatic

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Dan Holm

THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85

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The community of Ankeny has lost one of its most prominent citizens. Dick Rasmussen, the legendary softball and girls' basketball coach at Ankeny High School, passed away early Friday morning at the age of 85. "I will miss him," said current Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham. "I love him and (his wife) Sue." Rasmussen coached at South Hamilton … [Read more...] about THE LOSS OF A LEGEND: Coaching giant Rasmussen passes away at 85

Jaguars return 7 starters from last year’s Class 5A state runner-up squad

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In the last two seasons, the Ankeny Centennial softball team has gotten progressively closer to a Class 5A state championship. Maybe this will be the year that the Jaguars reach their ultimate goal. "The goal every season is to get to Fort Dodge in July, and this season is no different," said Centennial coach Brett Delaney. "Our goal right now is to … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 7 starters from last year’s Class 5A state runner-up squad

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kendra Winfrey, Ankeny girls’ track/softball

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Ankeny junior Kendra Winfrey placed second in the shot put on Friday in the girls' Class 4A state track meet at Drake Stadium. She uncorked a throw of 39 feet 11 inches on her final attempt, allowing her to move up from fourth place. Winfrey helped Ankeny to a seventh-place finish overall. She contributed eight of the Hawkettes' 44.5 points. Winfrey is … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kendra Winfrey, Ankeny girls’ track/softball

State pairings announced: Peterson to play No. 2 seed in 1st round of 2A singles

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The pairings for the boys' Class 2A state tennis tournament have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Ankeny Centennial junior Caleb Peterson received a tough draw in the singles bracket. He will open up against second-seeded Kaden Taylor of Waukee Northwest, who was a part of last year's state champion doubles team at … [Read more...] about State pairings announced: Peterson to play No. 2 seed in 1st round of 2A singles

Ankeny boys race to sprint medley relay crown, place 3rd overall in Class 4A

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The strategy for the Ankeny boys' sprint medley relay team was simple. Get the baton to anchor runner Tyrese Miller--the Class 4A 400-meter champion--within striking distance of the lead, and let him do the rest. It turned out that Miller didn't need to make up any ground after all. His teammates--Jack Belding, Tyler Sickerson and Tyson … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys race to sprint medley relay crown, place 3rd overall in Class 4A

Runner-up finishes in 4×400 relay, 800 allow Hawkettes to place 7th in Class 4A

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Ankeny senior Eva Fulk sat on the infield turf at Drake Stadium and tried to catch her breath after running the final race of her high school career. Fulk helped the Hawkettes to a second-place finish in the final event of the Class 4A state meet--the 4x400 relay--on Saturday afternoon. "It's sad, but I wouldn't have wanted to do it with any other … [Read more...] about Runner-up finishes in 4×400 relay, 800 allow Hawkettes to place 7th in Class 4A

‘I knew I wanted to be a Cyclone’: Baier commits to ISU track and field program

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Ankeny junior Hannah Baier could have followed in the footsteps of her brother. Instead, she'll be following in her parents' footsteps. Baier has verbally committed to join the Iowa State women's track and field program. She will compete in the throwing events. "Prior to my visit, I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go," said Baier. "I took a visit this … [Read more...] about ‘I knew I wanted to be a Cyclone’: Baier commits to ISU track and field program

‘Dowling is just that good’: No. 1 Maroons end Ankeny’s run at state team tourney

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Ankeny girls' tennis coach Steve Smith had no reasons to be disappointed following his squad's 5-0 loss to top-ranked Dowling Catholic in the opening round of the Class 2A state team tournament on Saturday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Maroons (11-0) are likely headed to a state championship. "I thought everyone played pretty well despite the … [Read more...] about ‘Dowling is just that good’: No. 1 Maroons end Ankeny’s run at state team tourney

Following Rasmussen’s death, Hawkettes will continue to honor program’s legacy

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Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham said he often thinks about Dick Rasmussen, the legendary coach who guided the Hawkettes to 12 state championships. Rasmussen passed away early Friday morning at the age of 85. "The legacy he and his girls created is a powerful standard that can't be measured," Bingham said. "I think about him before and after every … [Read more...] about Following Rasmussen’s death, Hawkettes will continue to honor program’s legacy

Jaguars struggle at plate while being swept at Waukee, fall to 0-3 on season

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The bats were silent on Thursday for the Ankeny Centennial baseball team. The fourth-ranked Jaguars were held to just six hits in a non-conference doubleheader at Waukee and were swept by the Warriors, 4-0 and 3-2. "Waukee's a pretty good team," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. "We saw three really outstanding pitchers for them." Waukee's Camden … [Read more...] about Jaguars struggle at plate while being swept at Waukee, fall to 0-3 on season

‘I think we really proved ourselves today’: Hawkettes capture state title in DMR

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When the Ankeny girls' distance medley relay team stepped on the track Friday morning at the Class 4A state meet, the Hawkettes were not only racing against some of the state's top squads in the final section of the event. Ankeny was also racing the clock. Defending champion Cedar Rapids Prairie got a 2:13.39 anchor leg from Gabby Cortez and won the … [Read more...] about ‘I think we really proved ourselves today’: Hawkettes capture state title in DMR

Centennial’s Valentine places 4th in long jump; Hawks take 5th in 4×200 relay

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Ankeny Centennial senior Isaiah Valentine jumped 21 feet 6 inches on his second attempt in the long jump at the Class 4A state track meet on Friday at Drake Stadium. Valentine wasn't able to improve his mark on the next four jumps, but he held on for a fourth-place finish. He scored five points for the Jaguars, who are tied for 23rd place heading into the … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Valentine places 4th in long jump; Hawks take 5th in 4×200 relay

Ankeny baseball team splits twinbill at Pleasant Valley to open season

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The Ankeny baseball team opened its season on Wednesday by splitting a non-conference doubleheader at eighth-ranked Pleasant Valley, the defending Class 4A state champion. The Hawks rallied for a 9-8 victory in the opener, then overcame a 6-1 deficit in the nightcap to tie it up before Pleasant Valley (1-2) posted a 9-8 win to salvage a split. "We had … [Read more...] about Ankeny baseball team splits twinbill at Pleasant Valley to open season

Ankeny freshman Smith earns No. 4 seed for Class 2A singles tournament

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The brackets for the girls' Class 2A state tennis tournament have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Ankeny freshman Kira Smith has been awarded the No. 4 seed in the Class 2A singles tournament. She will meet Celine Matthews of Mason City in the opening round. Junior Esther Guan of Ankeny Centennial was given a tough draw. … [Read more...] about Ankeny freshman Smith earns No. 4 seed for Class 2A singles tournament

‘Nobody can beat me’: Ankeny’s Miller cruises to Class 4A state title in 400

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As he sped around the blue oval at Drake Stadium on Thursday, Ankeny senior Tyrese Miller knew that he was about to become a state champion for the first time. Miller won the 400 in the boys' Class 4A state track meet in a time of 48.71 seconds. He finished nearly a full second ahead of runner-up Luke Meyers of Iowa City Liberty. "That's definitely the … [Read more...] about ‘Nobody can beat me’: Ankeny’s Miller cruises to Class 4A state title in 400

Hanfelt, Baier score points for Ankeny, while Quass, Leazer place for Jaguars

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The Ankeny girls' track team scored points in two events Thursday on the opening day of the Class 4A state meet, and so did crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. Ankeny's Reagan Hanfelt tied for third in the high jump, and Hannah Baier placed fourth in the discus. Centennial's Rondi Quass took fifth in the 3,000, while teammate Kambria Leazer tied for sixth … [Read more...] about Hanfelt, Baier score points for Ankeny, while Quass, Leazer place for Jaguars

‘It was a five-hour match!’: Johnston boys outlast Jaguars in substate final

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team dropped a 5-3 decision to Johnston in a Class 2A substate final on Wednesday at Valley. The Jaguars finished the season with a 5-8 record. "It was a five-hour match!" said Centennial coach Tami Lewton. "We had our opportunities for sure. We just couldn't quite close out a couple of matches." The two teams … [Read more...] about ‘It was a five-hour match!’: Johnston boys outlast Jaguars in substate final

Jaguars win Veenker regional, advance to state; Hawkettes finish 5th at Willow

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Kaitlyn Ault was in eighth grade the last time the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team qualified for the state meet in 2018. Her sister, Nikki, helped the Jaguars to a sixth-place finish in Class 4A. Now, Kaitlyn will get a chance to play in the state meet, too. Ault carded a 92 on Wednesday to place sixth in a Class 4A regional at Veenker Golf … [Read more...] about Jaguars win Veenker regional, advance to state; Hawkettes finish 5th at Willow

Ward scores twice in 1st half, leads Hawks to 2-1 win over Hoover in finale

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A pair of first-half goals by Jace Ward proved to be enough for the Ankeny boys' soccer team on Tuesday. Ward found the net twice to give his team a 2-0 lead at halftime, and the top-ranked Hawks held on for a 2-1 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference game. “Getting through our last regular-season game with a result like that … [Read more...] about Ward scores twice in 1st half, leads Hawks to 2-1 win over Hoover in finale