Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

Inexperienced Centennial football team gearing up for grueling schedule

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A grueling schedule awaits the Ankeny Centennial football team. The Jaguars will open their shortened regular season with games against Ankeny, Southeast Polk and Waukee. "Those are probably three of the best four teams in the state," said Centennial co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti. "We certainly have our work cut out for us." Centennial will later … [Read more...] about Inexperienced Centennial football team gearing up for grueling schedule

Despite cancellation of track season, Hawk runners are ‘considerably better’

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The cancellation of the track season doesn't appear to have had an adverse effect on the Ankeny boys' cross country team. Ankeny coach Jon Lindaman said his runners continued to work hard even after the COVID-19 outbreak resulted in the elimination of spring sports. "We have had a number of pleasant surprises," said Lindaman. "Even with track season … [Read more...] about Despite cancellation of track season, Hawk runners are ‘considerably better’

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brecken Manus, Ankeny football

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Senior linebacker Brecken Manus helped the Ankeny football team to a 7-4 record and a Class 4A quarterfinal appearance last season. He led the Hawks with 59 tackles. Manus was named to the Class 4A all-state third team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. He was a repeat selection to the District 1 first team. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Brecken Manus, Ankeny football

Led by trio of returning state qualifiers, Jaguars seek first trip as team since 2015

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The runners on the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team aren't taking the 2020 season for granted. "We have to view every day as a gift as we know the season could be shut down for us at any time, and we truly want to take advantage of our opportunities," said Centennial coach Chad Fickbohm. There are 80 boys on the team's roster. The Jaguars are … [Read more...] about Led by trio of returning state qualifiers, Jaguars seek first trip as team since 2015

Johnson earns medalist honors, leads Hawk golfers to win over Centennial

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The Ankeny boys' golf team proved again on Friday that it has a chance to become one of the state's best squads. The future looks bright, too, for crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. Both teams came away from an 18-hole dual meet at Briarwood Golf Course feeling pretty good about their prospects for the rest of the season. "I'm really excited for the … [Read more...] about Johnson earns medalist honors, leads Hawk golfers to win over Centennial

Highly-touted Kansas City receiver to join Brecht in Ankeny’s potent lineup

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The rumor turned out to be true. Arland Bruce IV, a three-star recruit who is committed to Iowa, has officially transferred to Ankeny High School and will play football for the Hawks this season. Speculation had been growing for the last several days that Bruce was headed to Ankeny. But his transfer to the school was not approved until Friday … [Read more...] about Highly-touted Kansas City receiver to join Brecht in Ankeny’s potent lineup

Jaguars open season with victory at Fort Dodge, will host Ankeny on Friday

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Jack Winkel and the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team are off to a good start. Winkel carded a 75 to earn medalist honors while leading the Jaguars to a 326-356 victory over Fort Dodge in their season opener on Thursday at the Fort Dodge Country Club. "Just staying relaxed and confident helped me be successful," said Winkel. "But I felt like I … [Read more...] about Jaguars open season with victory at Fort Dodge, will host Ankeny on Friday

‘We have a lot of talent’: Centennial golfers are young, but ready to compete

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Ankeny Centennial boys' golf coach Rick Fee is excited about his team's potential. "I absolutely love what I've seen from the kids so far," Fee said. "Five of our top 12 are sophomores. I'm very pleased with what they've shown, and I'm excited about this season and for the years to follow." Centennial posted a 2-3 dual-meet record a year ago, but came … [Read more...] about ‘We have a lot of talent’: Centennial golfers are young, but ready to compete

‘Our goal is to be a top 10 team at state’: Centennial girls boast high hopes

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The members of the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team are already running some fast times. During a recent practice, Rondi Quass and Kathryn Vortherms both broke the Jaguars' record in the mile time trial. Quass (5 minutes 18 seconds) and Vortherms (5:20) eclipsed the previous mark of 5:25 that was set by former Centennial standout Kate Smith on … [Read more...] about ‘Our goal is to be a top 10 team at state’: Centennial girls boast high hopes

Hawkette runners are ‘social creatures’, but adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions

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The COVID-19 restrictions have created some challenges for the Ankeny girls' cross country team. Coach Eric Klingensmith said the camaraderie between the girls is a unique aspect of the sport--but something that has had to change during the global pandemic. "The practices are coming along smoothly, but the restrictions with our interactions are a bit … [Read more...] about Hawkette runners are ‘social creatures’, but adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions

Coming off 3rd-place finish, Ankeny swimmers look to ‘meet all challenges’

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Any list of the state's top girls' swimming programs would have to include Ankeny's combined squad. Ankeny has placed sixth or higher at the state meet in each of the last five years. The Hawkettes took third a year ago with 200 points, their highest finish ever under coach Michelle Stout. However, Stout will have to replace a trio of standouts from … [Read more...] about Coming off 3rd-place finish, Ankeny swimmers look to ‘meet all challenges’

Practice rounds help Hawk golfers roll to 82-stroke victory over Mason City

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A practice round for the ages helped Ankeny golfer Dylan Taylor prepare for Monday's dual meet at Mason City. His teammates benefited as well. Taylor tied a course record on Friday by shooting an 11-under-par 61 at Highland Park Golf Course, where Monday's meet was held. "I definitely had all the confidence in the world to go out there and try to … [Read more...] about Practice rounds help Hawk golfers roll to 82-stroke victory over Mason City

Despite loss of Robinson, Jaguars to be more balanced, experienced in 2020

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There's no way the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team can replace Devyn Robinson. Head coach Jessica Rinehart isn't even going to try. "You don't replace any senior...and Devyn was certainly phenomenal," Rinehart said. "But this team will have a lot more experience and balance overall than the year before. Last year was a wild ride with an entirely new … [Read more...] about Despite loss of Robinson, Jaguars to be more balanced, experienced in 2020

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Keaton Gray, Ankeny Centennial baseball

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Senior shortstop Keaton Gray helped the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 14-12 record this season. He was a repeat selection to the CIML Central Conference first team. Gray batted .333 and had 12 RBIs. He scored a team-high 19 runs for the Jaguars. Here is some inside info on Gray: Congratulations on an outstanding season. Are you satisfied with … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Keaton Gray, Ankeny Centennial baseball

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ golf team

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When Jon Olson was hired to become the first Ankeny Centennial boys' golf coach in 2013, he stepped into a good situation. Most of the top players from Ankeny's 2012 team that qualified for the state meet moved across town to Centennial when the new school opened the following year. "The talent was there," Olson said. "From a coaching perspective, it … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ golf team

Walker shoots 74, leads Hawks to victory over Ames in their season opener

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Even at less than full strength, the Ankeny boys' golf team had no trouble defeating Ames in its season opener on Thursday. The Hawks posted a 315-338 victory in an 18-hole dual meet at Veenker Golf Course in Ames, one of the more difficult courses in the state. "I was very happy with the win," said Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld. "It's always good to … [Read more...] about Walker shoots 74, leads Hawks to victory over Ames in their season opener

Rumley earns repeat all-state honors; Burnett also named to 5A first team

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There was at least one similarity between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial softball teams this season. Both squads featured an outstanding left side of the infield. Ankeny third baseman Jasmine Rumley and shortstop Marina Carter have both received all-state honors along with shortstop Franie Burnett and third baseman Taylor Runchey of Centennial. Two … [Read more...] about Rumley earns repeat all-state honors; Burnett also named to 5A first team

‘We have something to prove’: Ankeny golfers seek first trip to state since 2012

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The Ankeny boys' golf team has some unfinished business. The Hawks enjoyed a tremendous season in 2019 before struggling in their final two meets. After being ranked among the state's top five teams for most of the year, they placed fourth in the CIML Central Conference meet and then tied for fourth in a Class 4A district meet at Sioux City, where they … [Read more...] about ‘We have something to prove’: Ankeny golfers seek first trip to state since 2012