A 10-game winning streak to close out the season has vaulted the Ankeny football team into the Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today. The Hawks are ninth in the latest rankings. They capped off an 11-1 season with a 42-14 victory over top-ranked Southeast Polk in the Class 4A championship game last month at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Ankeny has racked … [Read more...] about State champion Hawks are No. 9 in Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny volleyball team
Perhaps no high school sport has been more synonymous with the community of Ankeny than the game of volleyball. Ankeny High School captured four state championships in a six-year period from 2004-09. Following the split into two high schools in 2013, Ankeny Centennial quickly claimed four titles in a five-year stretch from 2014-18. "It's fantastic to … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny volleyball team
COMMITTED: Ankeny QB Bauer to play for Central Michigan
Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer did everything he could to land a Power Five offer. He decided that he couldn't wait any longer. Bauer verbally committed to play football for Central Michigan on Tuesday. He announced his decision via Twitter. "This process has truly been a blessing for me and my family," Bauer tweeted. "I want to give thanks to the … [Read more...] about COMMITTED: Ankeny QB Bauer to play for Central Michigan
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ basketball
Senior Colin McAleer is one of two returning starters for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team, which will open its season on Friday at Fort Dodge. A wing player, McAleer averaged 7.3 points per game as a junior while helping the Jaguars to a 24-3 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. McAleer connected on 37.5 percent … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin McAleer, Centennial boys’ basketball
Four Ankeny players named to Register’s all-Iowa elite football team
Four of the state's top 24 football players--according to The Des Moines Register--played for Class 4A state champion Ankeny. A quartet of seniors--quarterback Jase Bauer, running back Arland Bruce IV, receiver Brody Brecht and linebacker Brecken Manus--has been named to the Register's all-Iowa elite team. They led the Hawks to an 11-1 record, capped off … [Read more...] about Four Ankeny players named to Register’s all-Iowa elite football team
Hawk wrestlers look to continue Ankeny’s recent run of championship success
Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall is anxious to get back on the mat with his team. Wignall saw enough during the Hawks' first week of practice last month to know that this is the most talented squad he's ever had. "We are very balanced at each weight with talent and depth. That is something we haven’t always had," said Wignall. "Sometimes we … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers look to continue Ankeny’s recent run of championship success
‘There is a lot of work still to be done’: Ankeny swimmers seek another crown
There may not be another boys' swimming team in the state with as much elite talent as Ankeny's foursome of Trent Frandson, Weston Miner, Brek Stukerjurgen and Lance Swanepoel. That quartet alone will likely put the Hawks into contention for the state title in February. "I do think that we have a lot of talent returning," said Ankeny coach Justin … [Read more...] about ‘There is a lot of work still to be done’: Ankeny swimmers seek another crown
Johnson named player of the year by Iowa Golf Coaches Association
Ankeny senior Hunter Johnson has been named the state's player of the year by the Iowa Golf Coaches Association. Johnson enjoyed a tremendous season for the Hawks. He finished the 2020 campaign ranked first in the individual season rankings. Johnson tied for third place and finished fourth after a cardoff in the Class 4A state meet. He posted a two-day … [Read more...] about Johnson named player of the year by Iowa Golf Coaches Association
Naylor, Vogt receive outstanding service awards from IHSADA
Gary Naylor and Lynn Vogt of Ankeny are among the recipients of this year's outstanding service awards from the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association. Naylor has served as a sports public address announcer for over 30 years, becoming the voice of both the Ankeny Hawks and the Ankeny Centennial Jaguars. For the past six years, he has been the PA … [Read more...] about Naylor, Vogt receive outstanding service awards from IHSADA
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny football
Junior defensive lineman Braden Simonsen played a key role in the Ankeny football team's run to the Class 4A state title last month. Simonsen made 37 tackles for the Hawks, who boasted one of the state's best defensive units. He had 16 solo tackles, 14.5 for losses and four sacks. Simonsen also filled in at tight end during the playoffs when teammate … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny football
United States Marine Corps honors Murphy as Semper Fidelis All-American
Madeleine Murphy, a senior softball standout at Ankeny High School, was recognized as a Semper Fidelis All-American on Nov. 24. The United States Marine Corps is recognizing exemplary student athletes across the country through the Semper Fidelis All-American program. Now in its fourth year, the program features approximately 100 student athletes selected … [Read more...] about United States Marine Corps honors Murphy as Semper Fidelis All-American
Crews, McAleer to lead way as Jaguars rebuild after record-setting season
Following the most successful season in school history, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team faces a major rebuilding task. The Jaguars return only two starters from a team that posted a 24-3 record and placed fourth in the Class 4A state tournament. "Our kids understand we will have to be a hard-nosed team with great chemistry that plays hard … [Read more...] about Crews, McAleer to lead way as Jaguars rebuild after record-setting season
Healthy Hawkettes welcome Johnson back along with 3 other starters
Ankeny senior Abby Johnson has been waiting nearly two years to get back on the basketball court. Now, she'll have to wait a little longer. Johnson, who missed her entire junior season due to a knee injury, is now fully healthy. But she and her teammates are currently unable to practice while the Ankeny school district has moved to virtual … [Read more...] about Healthy Hawkettes welcome Johnson back along with 3 other starters
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brek Stukerjurgen, Ankeny boys’ swimming
Senior Brek Stukerjurgen is one of the top returnees for the Ankeny boys' swimming team. He is an eight-time state placewinner. Stukerjurgen placed fourth in the 100 backstroke and sixth in the 500 freestyle at the 2020 state meet. He anchored the Hawks to a tie for third place in the 400 freestyle relay and also swam on the fifth-place 200 medley … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brek Stukerjurgen, Ankeny boys’ swimming
DeJong: Centennial girls ‘have a chance to have a really exciting season’
All the ingredients for a winning basketball team appear to be on the Ankeny Centennial girls' roster. Head coach Scott DeJong just has to put all the pieces together. "We made a lot of progress since the first day of practice," said DeJong, whose team is seventh in the Class 5A preseason rankings. "There is much more team building to do with the loss … [Read more...] about DeJong: Centennial girls ‘have a chance to have a really exciting season’
Defending champions boast high hopes despite heavy losses to graduation
Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson was thrilled to see the Ankeny football team claim a state championship earlier this month, even if it meant two of his top returning players wouldn't be able to practice for awhile. "I am extremely happy for coach (Rick) Nelson, the staff and team in capturing the 2020 state championship in football," Carlson … [Read more...] about Defending champions boast high hopes despite heavy losses to graduation
Vortherms commits to Hawkeyes, will reunite with former Jaguar teammates
Kathryn Vortherms considers her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial girls' track squad part of her family. She was hoping to find a similar environment on the collegiate level, and she found it in Iowa City. Vortherms has committed to join the Iowa women's track and field program next year. She will be reunited with former Centennial teammates Emma … [Read more...] about Vortherms commits to Hawkeyes, will reunite with former Jaguar teammates
‘We’ll be ready to go’: Jaguars want to be hammers–whenever season begins
Jay Groth isn't worried about whether his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers will be in shape once the Ankeny school district returns to in-person classes. "I've told them, 'When we get back--whenever that is--we're going to be ready to compete,'" Groth said. "And we'll know if you haven't been doing what you need to do to be able to compete, because you'll run … [Read more...] about ‘We’ll be ready to go’: Jaguars want to be hammers–whenever season begins
Hansen to play for Morningside, while Monosmith commits to Iowa Lakes
Two more members of the Ankeny Centennial baseball team have made their college plans. Senior pitcher Trey Hansen has committed to play for Morningside College. Senior outfielder Gabriel Monosmith is headed to Iowa Lakes Community College. "It was a tough decision," said Monosmith. "COVID-19 and the NCAA decisions made my search challenging. I did … [Read more...] about Hansen to play for Morningside, while Monosmith commits to Iowa Lakes
On the move again: Creighton’s Gatica to transfer to Rockhurst University
Haley Gatica won a state softball championship after transferring from Ankeny Centennial to Valley High School prior to her senior year. Now, she's hoping that another move will pay off for her as well. Gatica has decided to transfer from Creighton to Rockhurst University, an NCAA Division II school in Kansas City, Mo. "There wasn't a pitching coach … [Read more...] about On the move again: Creighton’s Gatica to transfer to Rockhurst University