Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

‘You just have to tip your cap’: Brewer hurls 2-hitter, hits HR in win over Jaguars

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Ankeny Centennial freshman Lauren Sandholm showed on Thursday why she is one of the state's top softball pitchers. Unfortunately, Norwalk's Carly Brewer was just a little bit better. Brewer tossed a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and also homered for the game's only run as Norwalk, the No. 2 team in Class 4A, posted a 1-0 victory at No. 1 Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘You just have to tip your cap’: Brewer hurls 2-hitter, hits HR in win over Jaguars

Drefke shoots 10-over-par 81 in opening round of Class 4A state golf meet

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Ankeny Centennial senior Payton Drefke carded a 10-over-par 81 in the opening round of the girls' Class 4A state golf meet on Thursday at Otter Creek. She is tied for 21st place in the field of 70 golfers heading into Friday's final round. Drefke made 11 pars and had just five bogeys. But a triple bogey on the par-4, No. 2 hole and a double bogey on the … [Read more...] about Drefke shoots 10-over-par 81 in opening round of Class 4A state golf meet

Hawks use 3-run 7th inning to beat Waukee, but Warriors salvage split

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The Ankeny baseball team scored three runs in the seventh inning to post a 7-4 victory in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Waukee. The Warriors then followed with a 6-2 win in the nightcap to earn a split of the twinbill. They are now 2-1 in the CIML Conference and 4-2 overall, while Ankeny's records are 1-2 and 2-5. "We didn't play … [Read more...] about Hawks use 3-run 7th inning to beat Waukee, but Warriors salvage split

Hawkettes sweep Waukee as Lensmeyer, Johnson each blast pair of home runs

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Ankeny's duo of Aubrey Lensmeyer and Cassie Johnson proved to be double trouble for the Waukee softball team on Wednesday. Lensmeyer hit two home runs in the first game to lead Ankeny to a 7-1 victory, then Johnson blasted a pair of roundtrippers as the fifth-ranked Hawkettes completed a sweep of a CIML Conference road doubleheader with a 12-3 win in the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Waukee as Lensmeyer, Johnson each blast pair of home runs

‘It feels amazing’: Lundberg’s late goal, Kobow’s ensuing PK send Hawks to state

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The Ankeny boys' soccer team was less than a minute away from having its season come to an end on Wednesday at Northview. But the eighth-ranked Hawks never lost their faith. Austin Lundberg scored an equalizer on a free kick with 52 seconds left, and Ankeny went on to beat visiting Linn-Mar (Marion), 2-1, in a shootout in a Class 4A substate … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing’: Lundberg’s late goal, Kobow’s ensuing PK send Hawks to state

Jaguars romp past C.R. Jefferson, will host S.E. Polk in regional final Thursday

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A big early lead was just what the Ankeny Centennial girls' soccer team needed. Facing back-to-back games in postseason play due to Tuesday's postponement, the eighth-ranked Jaguars jumped out to a 5-0 halftime lead and rolled past visiting Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 9-0, in a Class 3A regional semifinal on Wednesday. "We had an opportunity to rotate some … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past C.R. Jefferson, will host S.E. Polk in regional final Thursday

‘It wasn’t his day’: Ankeny’s Victor falls to Schulte, Medina at boys’ state tourney

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Ankeny junior Dylan Victor ran into a tough draw in the boys' Class 2A state tennis tournament on Tuesday at Iowa City. Victor opened singles play with a 6-0, 6-0 loss to third-seeded Anthony Schulte of Cedar Rapids Prairie. Schulte eventually reached the semifinals for the second straight year and went on to earn a third-place finish. "I wasn’t really … [Read more...] about ‘It wasn’t his day’: Ankeny’s Victor falls to Schulte, Medina at boys’ state tourney

Hawkettes wait out storms, then roll to victory over Ames in regional semifinal

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Ankeny High School Activities Director Mike Bakker waited out Tuesday's severe storms, much to the delight of Ankeny girls' soccer coach Simon Brown. While most of the Class 3A regional games were postponed due to the weather, the third-ranked Hawkettes were able to complete their semifinal contest against visiting Ames after delaying the start for 30 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes wait out storms, then roll to victory over Ames in regional semifinal

Dowling rallies to force extra innings, then erupts for 9-3 victory over Hawks

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The Ankeny baseball team appeared to be on the verge of a huge victory on Monday night. But sixth-ranked Dowling Catholic refused to go away quietly. The host Hawks scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to break a 1-1 tie, but Dowling then answered with two in the seventh to force extra innings. The Maroons later erupted for six runs in the ninth … [Read more...] about Dowling rallies to force extra innings, then erupts for 9-3 victory over Hawks

Oakie fans 9 in season debut on mound, but Jags drop 10-4 decision at Waukee

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The top-ranked Ankeny Centennial baseball team just couldn't get out of the fourth inning. Waukee erupted for nine runs in the frame--all of them unearned--and went on to defeat the visiting Jaguars, 10-4, in the CIML Conference opener for both teams on Monday. "Waukee played really well, and we didn't play so well," said Centennial coach Mark Hey. … [Read more...] about Oakie fans 9 in season debut on mound, but Jags drop 10-4 decision at Waukee

Hawks oust C.R. Kennedy behind Benge’s brace, will host Linn-Mar Wednesday

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Earlier this season, the Ankeny boys' soccer team defeated Cedar Rapids Kennedy before falling to Linn-Mar (Marion) in overtime on March 30. The Hawks are hoping that history doesn't repeat itself. Eighth-ranked Ankeny opened postseason play on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Kennedy in a Class 4A substate semifinal at Northview. The Hawks (10-8) will … [Read more...] about Hawks oust C.R. Kennedy behind Benge’s brace, will host Linn-Mar Wednesday

‘We’ve just got to hit better’: Hawkettes open season with 2-1 loss at Norwalk

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The Ankeny softball team opened the season on Monday with a walk-off loss. The fifth-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 2-1 decision at Norwalk when Nyah Hulbert drove in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Warriors are ranked No. 2 in Class 4A. "At the end of the day we've just got to hit better," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve just got to hit better’: Hawkettes open season with 2-1 loss at Norwalk

Jaguars boast 6 returning starters from last year’s Class 5A championship team

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There's going to be a big target this season on the Ankeny Centennial softball team. After cruising to their first state championship in dominating fashion a year ago, the Jaguars will undoubtedly be getting the best shot from their opponents in 2024. It's a challenge that coach Brett Delaney and his players wholeheartedly welcome. "Last year was a … [Read more...] about Jaguars boast 6 returning starters from last year’s Class 5A championship team

‘It was very emblematic of our season’: Jags bow out with loss at Iowa City High

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The 10th-ranked Iowa City High boys' soccer team found its mojo on Monday. It resulted in a season-ending loss for Ankeny Centennial. The Jaguars dropped a 2-0 decision at City High in a Class 4A substate semifinal. The Little Hawks (11-3) had allowed 10 goals while losing their last two games before tournament play. "It was very emblematic of our … [Read more...] about ‘It was very emblematic of our season’: Jags bow out with loss at Iowa City High

‘Our culture is at an all-time high’: Ankeny girls to rely heavily on Division I recruits

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Most high school softball teams don't have a Division I recruit on their roster. Ankeny is blessed to have three. The Hawkettes will again be led by seniors Cassie Johnson and Abby Rusher and junior Aubrey Lensmeyer. Johnson will play for Texas Tech next year, Rusher is headed to Creighton, and Lensmeyer has committed to South Dakota. Last year, the … [Read more...] about ‘Our culture is at an all-time high’: Ankeny girls to rely heavily on Division I recruits

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: All Macke, Ankeny girls’ track/soccer

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Junior Alli Macke placed in four events to help the Ankeny girls' track team to an eighth-place finish in the Class 4A state meet on Thursday through Saturday at Drake Stadium. Macke placed fifth in the 800 for the second straight year, posting a time of 2:14.37. She also anchored the Hawkettes to a third-place finish in the 4x800 relay, a fifth-place … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: All Macke, Ankeny girls’ track/soccer

‘It was just a day for us to grow’: Hawks take early lead, then fall to C.R. Kennedy

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The Ankeny baseball team got off to a good start in Saturday's non-conference game at Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Unfortunately, the fifth-ranked Cougars responded. Kennedy erased an early 4-0 deficit to post a 13-8 victory. The Cougars improved to 6-0 on the season, while Ankeny's record dropped to 1-3. "We gave up two three-run bombs, and that was tough … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a day for us to grow’: Hawks take early lead, then fall to C.R. Kennedy

‘It was pretty special’: Hey guides No. 1 Jaguars past Roosevelt, Wee at Rippey

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For the second year in a row, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team made a successful trip to Walt Anderson Field. The top-ranked Jaguars overcame an early 1-0 deficit to beat Des Moines Roosevelt, 6-1, in a non-conference game on Friday. The contest was played at Rippey, where Centennial posted a 9-0 win over Webster City in last year's season … [Read more...] about ‘It was pretty special’: Hey guides No. 1 Jaguars past Roosevelt, Wee at Rippey

‘We just had 3 immaculate days’: Hawks score record 112 points, cruise to 4A title

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The members of the Ankeny boys' track team shared some hugs on the infield turf as the crowd exited Drake Stadium on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The Hawks had just made some history in the Class 4A state meet, racking up a record 112 points to win the school's first state championship since 1972. "I didn't know how many points we could score," said … [Read more...] about ‘We just had 3 immaculate days’: Hawks score record 112 points, cruise to 4A title