Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch feels a lot better about his team following the Hawks' 139-31 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference dual meet on Tuesday. Ankeny won all 11 events and swept the top three places in seven of the eight individual races. "Going into this meet, I knew we had a lot of guys competing for varsity spots," … [Read more...] about ‘Hungry’ Hawk swimmers roll to victory at Roosevelt despite Swanepoel’s absence
Two-time champ Anderson among 8 returning state qualifiers for Hawks
Ankeny wrestler Trever Anderson has a chance to make some history this season. The senior could become the first three-time state champion ever produced by the city of Ankeny. "His goal was to be committed before the season started, and he did that by signing with (coach) Doug Schwab and the Northern Iowa Panthers," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. … [Read more...] about Two-time champ Anderson among 8 returning state qualifiers for Hawks
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 162
Coach Scott DeJong and senior guard Cleao Murray of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team joined Central College quarterback Blaine Hawkins and Texas Tech volleyball standout Kenna Sauer as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 162
‘We’ve got to learn from it and move on’: Jaguars lose big lead, fall to S.E. Polk
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana has won a lot of big games in his career. Tuesday's season-opening contest against visiting Southeast Polk may have been one of his most disappointing losses. The Jaguars built a 42-27 lead in the second half and still held a nine-point lead after three quarters before Southeast Polk opened the final … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got to learn from it and move on’: Jaguars lose big lead, fall to S.E. Polk
Jaguars shut down Dailey, lead from start to finish in victory over No. 5 S.E. Polk
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team struggled at the free-throw line during Tuesday's game against visiting Southeast Polk, making just 16-of-29 attempts. But the way the Jaguars were defending, it didn't matter. Ninth-ranked Centennial led from start to finish and posted a 45-38 victory over the No. 5 Rams. The Jaguars improved to 3-0 on the … [Read more...] about Jaguars shut down Dailey, lead from start to finish in victory over No. 5 S.E. Polk
Four-star recruit: Ankeny QB Kohl ranked No. 223 nationally by Rivals
Ankeny quarterback JJ Kohl is now listed as a four-star recruit on Rivals. Kohl, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound junior, is ranked No. 223 nationally in the Class of 2023. He is the No. 5 prospect in the state of Iowa and No. 14 nationally at his position. Kohl helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A this season. He completed … [Read more...] about Four-star recruit: Ankeny QB Kohl ranked No. 223 nationally by Rivals
‘It should be a fun year’: Jaguars boast 6 returning state qualifiers
Thursday will be a special night for Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth. The Jaguars will open their season by hosting a dual meet against Waukee. "It will be the first time in my career that I will face a former wrestler of mine as a head coach," said Groth. "John Meeks wrestled at Des Moines Roosevelt when I was coaching there (and was a … [Read more...] about ‘It should be a fun year’: Jaguars boast 6 returning state qualifiers
Moss named Big Ten Conference Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year
If this ends up being the final season of Riley Moss' Iowa football career, it's been a memorable one. The former Ankeny Centennial star was named the Big Ten Conference Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year on Tuesday. He is the fifth Hawkeye to win the award and the first since Amani Hooker in 2019. Moss ranks 11th in the country and third in the … [Read more...] about Moss named Big Ten Conference Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year
FILLING IT UP: Senior’s 3-pointer sparks late run, lifts Hawkettes past North
Jadyn Filling didn't hesitate when she had an open look at the basket. The senior guard drained a huge 3-point goal with 3 minutes 32 seconds left, sparking a late 11-2 run that lifted the Ankeny girls' basketball team to a 44-40 victory over visiting Des Moines North on Monday. "I was struggling with confidence coming into this game, but I really feel … [Read more...] about FILLING IT UP: Senior’s 3-pointer sparks late run, lifts Hawkettes past North
Ankeny’s Foels chooses soccer over volleyball, will play for Loras College
Ankeny senior Maddie Foels is a strong defender on the soccer field and on the volleyball court. She could have elected to play either sport at the collegiate level, but she decided that her future was on the pitch. Foels has verbally committed to play soccer for Loras College. She announced her decision via Twitter on Sunday. "I'm beyond excited to … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Foels chooses soccer over volleyball, will play for Loras College
Texas Tech’s Sauer, Wisconsin’s Robinson could meet in NCAA Tournament
Kenna Sauer helped the Texas Tech volleyball team end a 20-year NCAA Championship drought. Now, the former Ankeny Centennial star could be headed toward a possible second-round matchup against one of her ex-Jaguar teammates. Sauer and the Red Raiders (17-12) earned their first trip to the Big Dance since 2001 during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday … [Read more...] about Texas Tech’s Sauer, Wisconsin’s Robinson could meet in NCAA Tournament
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jenna Pitz, Ankeny girls’ basketball
Junior guard Jenna Pitz is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. She was named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team as a sophomore, when she averaged 9.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Pitz scored 12 points and had two steals in Ankeny's 59-45 loss to fifth-ranked Southeast Polk in its season opener on Tuesday. The … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jenna Pitz, Ankeny girls’ basketball
BLAINE’S MAGIC TRICK: Central reaches quarterfinals on Hawkins’ record-tying TD
Blaine Hawkins entered Saturday's second-round NCAA Division III playoff game with a chance to make some football history. The former Ankeny quarterback etched his name in the record book in the most dramatic way possible. Hawkins found teammate Tanner Schminke in the corner of the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown pass on the game's final play to give … [Read more...] about BLAINE’S MAGIC TRICK: Central reaches quarterfinals on Hawkins’ record-tying TD
Experienced Hawks looking to rebound from last season’s 10-10 campaign
There won't be any break for Ankeny football standouts Ryan Crandall, JJ Kohl and Braden Simonsen. After helping the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the Class 5A playoffs on the gridiron earlier this month, the trio has made a quick transition to the basketball court. The Ankeny boys' squad will open its season on Friday with a difficult road test at Ames, … [Read more...] about Experienced Hawks looking to rebound from last season’s 10-10 campaign
Jaguars make nine 3-pointers, cruise to 42-point victory at Urbandale
The ball was falling through the hoop on Friday for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The ninth-ranked Jaguars found their shooting stroke in a 58-16 victory at Urbandale. They raised their record to 2-0 on the season, while the J-Hawks dropped to 0-2. "We shot the ball well," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. "We hadn't done that in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars make nine 3-pointers, cruise to 42-point victory at Urbandale
‘Our seniors need to step up and lead’: Jaguars to lean on trio of returnees
It's going to be a challenge for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to win a third consecutive conference title. The Jaguars posted a 14-5 record a year ago and captured the CIML Iowa Conference crown, but all-state guard Jaron Crews and three other starters have graduated. Ames, which posted a 57-37 victory over Centennial in a Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘Our seniors need to step up and lead’: Jaguars to lean on trio of returnees
Hawk bowlers edge Dowling in season opener; Maroons win girls’ matchup
The Ankeny bowling teams opened the season on Tuesday by splitting a matchup against visiting Dowling Catholic at Great Escape. The Ankeny boys' squad edged the Maroons by a score of 2,328 to 2,289. Dowling won the girls' contest by a score of 1,865 to 1,435. "It was a hard-fought victory for the boys' team as it came down (the last three) frames of … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers edge Dowling in season opener; Maroons win girls’ matchup
Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes
A few days ago, Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly said he thought he could have a pretty good basketball team by mid-January. If Tuesday's season opener against fifth-ranked Southeast Polk was any indication, it's not going to take that long. Ankeny battled the visiting Rams on even terms for much of the game before Southeast Polk pulled away … [Read more...] about Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes
Hawk tankers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invitational
Tuesday's Ankeny Sprint Invitational gave the Ankeny boys' swimming team an early chance to see how the Hawks stack up against some of the state's top squads. Defending state champion Waukee won the six-team meet with 473 points. Valley placed second with 405 points, followed by Ankeny with 373. "There definitely was a lot of fast swimming in the pool … [Read more...] about Hawk tankers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invitational
‘We were happy to get out of there’: Jaguars win opener over improved North
A matchup against Des Moines North used to be an easy win for most girls' basketball teams in the CIML. Ankeny Centennial found out on Tuesday in its season opener that this year's version of the Polar Bears is different. The ninth-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the second half for a 44-30 road victory, but North showed that it's going to be a lot more … [Read more...] about ‘We were happy to get out of there’: Jaguars win opener over improved North