Ankeny Fanatic

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Dan Holm

Hawk swimmers top Roosevelt, gear up for Wittmer Invitational

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The Ankeny boys' swimming team tuned up for Saturday's Mike Wittmer Invitational with a 120-50 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in its dual-meet opener on Thursday. Ankeny coach Justin Crouch was pleased with the progress that his team showed. The Hawks had been idle since winning the Sprint Classic on Nov. 26 at Trail Point Aquatics Center. "We are … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers top Roosevelt, gear up for Wittmer Invitational

‘It was a good barometer for us’: Jaguars lose opener at No. 3 Fort Dodge

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A strong start helped the third-ranked Fort Dodge wrestling team to a 43-28 victory over No. 5 Ankeny Centennial on Thursday at the Dodgers' gym. The season-opening dual meet began at 120 pounds, where defending state champion and top-ranked Drake Ayala recorded a technical fall over No. 5 Jackson Bresson. The Dodgers went on to win the first five … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good barometer for us’: Jaguars lose opener at No. 3 Fort Dodge

‘Tough day’ for Ankeny bowling teams results in losses to Railsplitters

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The Ankeny bowling teams struggled to adapt to the unfamiliar lanes at Bowlerama Lanes on Thursday. It resulted in losses for both the Hawks and the Hawkettes. Des Moines Lincoln swept the dual meet at its home alley. The Railsplitters won the boys' meet by a score of 2,991 to 2,746 and the girls' meet by a score of 2,532 to 2,263. Both Ankeny teams … [Read more...] about ‘Tough day’ for Ankeny bowling teams results in losses to Railsplitters

No. 5 Centennial wrestlers enter season with some huge expectations

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The bar has been set high for the Ankeny Centennial wrestling team. Now, the next step for the Jaguars is to win state championships--either as an individual, or as a team at the state duals or the traditional state tournament. Last year's Centennial squad won just about everything but a state title. The Jaguars posted a 21-1 dual-meet record and won … [Read more...] about No. 5 Centennial wrestlers enter season with some huge expectations

‘Our goal is to get better every day’: Hawks look to contend for state titles

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With a pair of returning state champions, the Ankeny wrestling team won't be able to sneak up on any of its opponents this season. But Ankeny coach Jack Wignall is completely fine with that. The Hawks are eighth in the Class 3A preseason rankings by The Predicament after placing 11th in last year's state tournament with 59.5 points, their highest … [Read more...] about ‘Our goal is to get better every day’: Hawks look to contend for state titles

Centennial girls’ late rally falls short in loss to No. 6 S.E. Polk

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During last year's state tournament, the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team overcame a double-digit deficit before losing to Southeast Polk in overtime in the Class 5A quarterfinals. The Jaguars tried to pull off a similar comeback against their CIML rival on Tuesday, but this time the deficit was too large. Sixth-ranked Southeast Polk built a … [Read more...] about Centennial girls’ late rally falls short in loss to No. 6 S.E. Polk

Kumm’s career night leads Hawks to season-opening win over North

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team needed somebody to step up on Tuesday night. Senior guard Jordan Kumm accepted the challenge. Kumm poured in a career-high 29 points to lead the Hawks to a 60-57 victory at Des Moines North in their season opener. His previous high of 20 points came in a win over Des Moines Lincoln last season. Ankeny overcame the … [Read more...] about Kumm’s career night leads Hawks to season-opening win over North

Jaguars cruise past S.E. Polk as Crews makes successful debut

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It didn't take long for Jaron Crews to score his first point in an Ankeny Centennial uniform. The former Ankeny player made 1-of-2 free throws before Tuesday's game at Southeast Polk even started. The Rams were called for a technical foul during warmups. "One of their non-dressers was under the basket, and he reached up and hung on the rim. The ref saw … [Read more...] about Jaguars cruise past S.E. Polk as Crews makes successful debut

Pitz scores career-high 19 points in Hawkettes’ victory over North

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Like a lot of teams, the Ankeny girls' basketball squad showed a lot of improvement between its first and second games. The Hawkettes dominated from the start and rolled to a 52-32 victory at Des Moines North on Tuesday, evening their record at 1-1. The Polar Bears dropped to 0-3. "We had great energy from the opening tip tonight," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Pitz scores career-high 19 points in Hawkettes’ victory over North

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Calyssa Wright, Ankeny girls’ basketball

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Junior forward Calyssa Wright is a member of the Ankeny girls' basketball team. She played in seven games last year as a sophomore, but is expected to play a major role this season for the Hawkettes. Wright scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds in Ankeny's season-opening 83-61 loss to visiting Mason City on Nov. 22. She then had seven points on … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Calyssa Wright, Ankeny girls’ basketball

Centennial’s Gray to receive prestigious Burlsworth Award

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Ankeny Centennial senior defensive back Keaton Gray has been named a recipient of the Burlsworth Award, a national award honoring character and sportsmanship in high school football. Gray made 33.5 tackles and had one interception while helping the Jaguars to an 8-2 record this season, but it was his performance off the field that led to the Burlsworth … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Gray to receive prestigious Burlsworth Award

Jaguars looking for right pieces, will try to rebound from 9-13 season

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Building a basketball team is somewhat like putting a puzzle together. Ankeny Centennial boys' coach Bob Fontana is still trying to find the right pieces for his squad as the Jaguars prepare to open the season on Tuesday at Southeast Polk. "Our practices have been good and competitive," said Fontana, whose team posted a 78-62 victory over Ballard in … [Read more...] about Jaguars looking for right pieces, will try to rebound from 9-13 season

Ankeny boys’ up-tempo attack to be fueled by trio of senior guards

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Perhaps no boys' basketball team in the state returns as much experience in the backcourt as Ankeny does with the trio of senior guards in Braxton Bayless, Jordan Kumm and Jaxon Smith. Those three players combined for more than 36 points per game a year ago while leading an up-tempo attack that helped the Hawks to a 13-8 record. Ankeny coach Brandt … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ up-tempo attack to be fueled by trio of senior guards

Jaguars roll past Lincoln for most lopsided victory in school history

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Don't expect the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to win every game by 70 points. For one day, though, that's exactly what the seventh-ranked Jaguars did. Centennial built a 57-7 halftime lead and then coasted to an 84-14 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in its season opener on Saturday afternoon. It was the Jaguars' most lopsided win … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past Lincoln for most lopsided victory in school history

Family history, right fit leads Gates to Grand View, Gibson to Iowa State

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Two of Ankeny Centennial's football standouts have decided to follow in the footsteps of a family member. Running back Avery Gates has committed to play for Grand View, where his brother, Jensen, is already on the Vikings' roster. "In the big picture, I was going to choose a place that fit me and believed in me," said Gates. "Having Jensen be in the … [Read more...] about Family history, right fit leads Gates to Grand View, Gibson to Iowa State

Hawk swimmers win 8 events, edge Dowling to capture Sprint Classic crown

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The Ankeny boys' swimming team edged Dowling Catholic to win the season-opening Sprint Classic on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. The Hawks won eight events and finished with 457 points. Dowling took second in the five-team field with 445.5. "It was a solid performance all the way around," said Ankeny coach Justin Crouch. "Considering we had … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers win 8 events, edge Dowling to capture Sprint Classic crown

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Ashley Harrington, Ankeny basketball

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Senior guard Ashley Harrington is one of the top returning players for the Ankeny girls' basketball team. A year ago, she averaged 7.6 points per game and made 20 3-point goals while helping the Hawkettes to a 9-12 record. Harrington scored 15 points, 13 of them in the first half, as Ankeny opened the season on Nov. 22 with an 83-61 loss to visiting Mason … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Ashley Harrington, Ankeny basketball

Ballenger headed to NCAA Tournament along with former Centennial trio

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Former Ankeny volleyball star Megan Ballenger will be joined in this year's NCAA Tournament field by a trio of former Ankeny Centennial standouts. Freshmen Megan Lively of Central Florida, Kenna Sauer of Missouri and Ari Winters of Denver will all be making their first trip to the NCAA Tournament. Those three players helped the Jaguars to the Class 5A … [Read more...] about Ballenger headed to NCAA Tournament along with former Centennial trio

Ankeny bowling teams open season with victory over Valley

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The season is off to a good start for the Ankeny bowling teams under new head coach Lane Richtsmeier. The boys' team defeated Valley by a score of 2,879 to 2,474 on Tuesday at Great Escape. The girls' squad also won their opener against the Tigers, 2,301 to 2,276. The boys' junior varsity team was victorious as well. "As a first-time coach and my … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams open season with victory over Valley