Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

‘Nobody knows what’s coming’: Hawkettes look to surprise opponents

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The Ankeny softball team wasn't listed in the Class 5A preseason rankings by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Hawkettes' omission brought a smile to the face of head coach Dave Bingham. "I think that is awesome," he said. "Honestly, we've never even discussed the rankings. Our ultimate goal is just to respect our opponents but prepare to … [Read more...] about ‘Nobody knows what’s coming’: Hawkettes look to surprise opponents

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Reilly Johnson, Ankeny girls’ tennis

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Senior Reilly Johnson helped the Ankeny girls' tennis team to a 6-9 record in 2019. She was the team's No. 4 or 5 player most of the season. Johnson was also a member of the Ankeny volleyball team, helping the Hawkettes to a 37-6 mark last fall. She racked up 127 kills, 34 blocks and 41 digs. Here is some inside info on Johnson: Even though your … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Reilly Johnson, Ankeny girls’ tennis

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ soccer team

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When the Ankeny girls' soccer program began in 1996, the Hawkettes didn't immediately find success. Ankeny struggled in its first three seasons, going a combined 12-33-1 under coach Rhonda Fors. However, Fors turned the program around in 1999, guiding the Hawkettes to a 12-7 record for their first winning season. Since then, the Ankeny program … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ soccer team

Centennial softball team ranked No. 11 in Class 5A preseason rankings

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The Ankeny Centennial softball team is ranked No. 11 in Class 5A in the preseason rankings by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Jaguars return several starters from a team that posted a 26-12 record last year, the winningest season in school history. They will open the season on June 15 at Des Moines Roosevelt. Here are the Class 5A … [Read more...] about Centennial softball team ranked No. 11 in Class 5A preseason rankings

Former Centennial standout Vipond earns Leopard Award in her final season

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Former Ankeny Centennial basketball standout Tasha Vipond is the recipient of the Leopard Award from the Lafayette College women's basketball program. The Leopards announced the award via Twitter. "Our Leopard Award recipient is someone who embodies all the qualities of a Lafayette student-athlete: strong student, committed athlete, great teammate, and … [Read more...] about Former Centennial standout Vipond earns Leopard Award in her final season

Ankeny Fanatic Preps of the Week: Claire Beath and Rachel Moore, girls’ golf

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Claire Beath is a member of the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf team, while fellow senior Rachel Moore plays for crosstown rival Ankeny. Their 2020 season was wiped out due to the coronavirus. Beath posted an average score of 56.9 strokes as a junior. Moore finished the 2019 season with a 59.4 average. Here is some inside info on the duo: Even though … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Preps of the Week: Claire Beath and Rachel Moore, girls’ golf

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

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Nobody is more associated with the Ankeny girls' golf program than Toni Dickey. Dickey played for the Hawkettes in high school and later became the head coach of the program for 31 years. She led Ankeny to three state titles and also coached four individual state champions before retiring after the 2017 season. Those individual champs--Sarah Gilbert, … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ golf team

Centennial’s Murray suffers ACL injury, will have surgery on June 4

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Cleao Murray called it the worst pain she has ever felt in her life. The Ankeny Centennial basketball standout suffered a serious knee injury on May 11 while practicing with the All Iowa Attack in Ames. She tore her left ACL and part of her meniscus. "We were doing a drill, and I hyperextended (my knee) while I was passing to a teammate," said Murray. … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Murray suffers ACL injury, will have surgery on June 4

Summer sports athletes preparing for return to field with precautions

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Jasmine Rumley wasn't sure if she'd get another chance to wear her Ankeny softball uniform. Now, it appears that she will. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced last week that summer athletic seasons may be conducted for high school baseball and softball following a two-month suspension of activities due to the coronavirus. Practices will begin on June … [Read more...] about Summer sports athletes preparing for return to field with precautions

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Samson Densmore, Centennial tennis

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Senior Samson Densmore was a member of the Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis team. He helped the Jaguars reach the Class 2A semifinals of the state team tournament last year. Densmore also qualified for the state doubles tournament along with teammate Ryan Lofgren. He compiled an 8-3 record in singles and went 13-6 in doubles, including 11-5 while playing … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Samson Densmore, Centennial tennis

Centennial’s Petersen earns scholarship from Track Guy Foundation

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Ankeny Centennial track standout Katie Petersen is one of the recipients of the 2020 Track Guy Foundation Scholarship awards. Petersen was among 47 Iowa high school seniors involved in track and field and/or cross country who applied for the scholarship. From those applicants, seven winners were selected by the Foundation's Board of Directors. Each of … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Petersen earns scholarship from Track Guy Foundation

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny bowling teams

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In the last month, Ankeny Fanatic has unveiled its all-time Ankeny teams in boys' and girls' basketball, wrestling and boys' swimming. Now, in order to complete the winter sports, it's time to focus on bowling--the newest of the sports that are sanctioned by the high school governing bodies. The girls' program began in the 2007-08 season after the Iowa … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny bowling teams

‘PLAY BALL!’: Gov. Reynolds approves high school summer sports

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The suspension of high school athletics due to COVID-19 will come to an end next month. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced on Wednesday at her daily press briefing that summer athletic seasons may be conducted for high school baseball and softball following a two-month activities suspension due to the coronavirus. The announcement approved the … [Read more...] about ‘PLAY BALL!’: Gov. Reynolds approves high school summer sports

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Roland Agyeman, Centennial boys’ soccer

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Roland Agyeman is a senior on the Ankeny Centennial boys' soccer team. He would have been one of the Jaguars' top returning players this season. Agyeman started 10 games for Centennial a year ago. He helped the Jaguars to a 13-4 record. Here is some inside info on Agyeman: How are you dealing with the pandemic? Are you getting used to the "new … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Roland Agyeman, Centennial boys’ soccer

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

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The history of Ankeny boys' swimming dates back to the 1980s--before the Ankeny YMCA was even built. Mike Johnson graduated before Ankeny had an indoor swimming pool, so he traveled to Dowling High School twice a day for a pair of three-hour practices. He participated in high school meets in order to qualify for the state meet by swimming in Valley's … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ swimming team

‘A long time coming’: Cyclone fan Quigley named to GA position on Campbell’s staff

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Xavier Quigley always wanted to play for the Iowa State football team. Although he never got that chance, the former Ankeny offensive lineman still had a desire to be part of the Cyclones' program. Now, he's getting that opportunity. Quigley has been named to a graduate assistant position on head coach Matt Campbell's staff. He will help coach the … [Read more...] about ‘A long time coming’: Cyclone fan Quigley named to GA position on Campbell’s staff