Ankeny Fanatic

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Dan Holm

Taylor shoots 35, leads Hawk golfers to victory over Dowling Catholic

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Ankeny golfer Dylan Taylor badly missed a short putt for par on the No. 9 hole during Thursday's dual meet against Dowling Catholic at Otter Creek. It might have been his only bad shot of the day. Taylor made a pair of birdies and carded a 1-under-par 35 to earn medalist honors while leading the Hawks to a 148-155 victory on their home course. They … [Read more...] about Taylor shoots 35, leads Hawk golfers to victory over Dowling Catholic

‘I want to win a state title’: Jaguars look for better ending in 2019

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The Ankeny Centennial football team enjoyed a fairytale regular season in 2018, racking up a 9-0 record and earning a No. 1 seed for the Class 4A playoffs. Unfortunately, the Jaguars' season lacked a storybook ending. Centennial suffered a 21-17 loss to Southeast Polk in the opening round of the postseason, preventing the Jaguars from reaching their … [Read more...] about ‘I want to win a state title’: Jaguars look for better ending in 2019

‘It was very nerve-racking’: Hawkettes outlast Waukee in 5 sets in opener

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Dave Whims and his Ankeny volleyball players are still getting used to each other. On Tuesday, it proved to be a winning combination. The third-ranked Hawkettes rallied from a 2-1 deficit to beat No. 5 Waukee, 19-25, 27-25, 27-29, 25-18, 15-9, in a season-opening match at Ankeny. It was the first win for Whims since the 2014 season, when he retired … [Read more...] about ‘It was very nerve-racking’: Hawkettes outlast Waukee in 5 sets in opener

Jaguars win 11/12 division, place second overall at Centennial Invite

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After Ankeny Centennial's Gabriel Vicker crossed the finish line on Tuesday, he immediately focused his attention on his cross country teammates. Vicker placed second in the 11/12 race at the season-opening Centennial Invitational at DMACC, posting a time of 16 minutes 17 seconds. Three other Jaguars earned top-10 finishes, helping the team to the … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 11/12 division, place second overall at Centennial Invite

Vortherms leads Jaguars to runner-up finish; Ankeny girls place fourth

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Ankeny Centennial cross country runner Kathryn Vortherms had two different messages written on her arms for Tuesday's season-opening Centennial Invitational at DMACC. She wrote the word "positive" on her right arm. "I give up control" was written on her left arm. "It's a lyric from a song. It's for King & Country--one of their songs," Vortherms … [Read more...] about Vortherms leads Jaguars to runner-up finish; Ankeny girls place fourth

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Millie Hill, Ankeny Centennial volleyball

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Junior Millie Hill is a member of the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. "Millie is a hard worker," said Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart. "She's a great communicator on the court, and we can always count on Millie to come in and provide us a spark. She is super athletic and can make some incredible defensive plays that can change a match." The … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Millie Hill, Ankeny Centennial volleyball

Parents and adult fans: The biggest challenge facing high school sports today

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(Editor's note: This is an editorial from Karissa Niehoff, executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations, and Tom Keating, executive director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association.) Inappropriate adult behaviors at high school athletic events across the country have reached epidemic proportion. When more than … [Read more...] about Parents and adult fans: The biggest challenge facing high school sports today

Jaguars are inexperienced, but look to contend for another Class 5A crown

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There's no doubt that Jessica Rinehart faces one of the biggest challenges of her coaching career. Rinehart has guided the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team to four state titles in her six seasons at the school, but the Jaguars return only three players this fall with any varsity experience. And one of them, Devyn Robinson, will miss the first part of the … [Read more...] about Jaguars are inexperienced, but look to contend for another Class 5A crown

Ankeny diver Jorgensen wins Back to the Boards title at Lincoln

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It appears that Mandy Parton is already making a difference for the Ankeny girls' swimming team. Parton is in her first season coaching the Ankeny divers, and on Monday the Hawkettes opened their season with a strong performance in the Back to the Boards 2019 meet. The diving-only event was held at Des Moines Lincoln. "This was an outstanding night for … [Read more...] about Ankeny diver Jorgensen wins Back to the Boards title at Lincoln

Hall of Famer Whims returns to coach loaded Ankeny volleyball squad

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A familiar face will be back on the bench Tuesday when the Ankeny volleyball team opens its season against visiting Waukee. Legendary coach Dave Whims is beginning his second stint as the Hawkettes' head coach. He took over the program following the departure of Joe Morton, who guided Ankeny to a 31-13 record and a state tournament appearance last … [Read more...] about Hall of Famer Whims returns to coach loaded Ankeny volleyball squad

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Scout Bergwall, Ankeny girls’ swimming

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Senior Scout Bergwall is one of seven returning state qualifiers for the Ankeny girls' swimming team. She helped the Hawkettes to a second consecutive fourth-place finish at the state meet last November. Bergwall placed fifth in the 100 butterfly in a time of 57.15 seconds, which set a school record. She took 25th in the 100 backstroke and also swam on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Scout Bergwall, Ankeny girls’ swimming

‘Mama Meg’ Ballenger ready for larger leadership role on Bluejays’ squad

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There's a reason why Megan Ballenger's teammates on the Creighton volleyball team call her "Mama Meg". The former Ankeny star has been a longtime leader for the Bluejays both on and off the court. "I do cook some food and do some other things for certain people sometimes," Ballenger said on Friday after the Bluejays played Iowa State in an exhibition … [Read more...] about ‘Mama Meg’ Ballenger ready for larger leadership role on Bluejays’ squad

Centennial golfers top Urbandale at Briarwood, then fall to Ames at Veenker

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team split a pair of CIML Central Conference dual meets on Thursday and Friday, topping Urbandale before falling to Ames. The Jaguars (1-1) dropped a 312-329 decision to Ames on Friday at Veenker Golf Course. Jack Winkel was the runner-up with a 77, finishing one stroke behind Ames' Sam Vertanen. Centennial's Johnny … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers top Urbandale at Briarwood, then fall to Ames at Veenker

Vicker, Jaguars are motivated after falling short at last year’s district meet

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Throughout most of the 2018 season, Ankeny Centennial's Gabriel Vicker was one of the top cross country runners in the state. After qualifying for the boys' Class 4A state meet as a freshman in 2017, Vicker followed up with a standout sophomore season in which he recorded six top-five finishes. He won the freshman/sophomore race at the Centennial … [Read more...] about Vicker, Jaguars are motivated after falling short at last year’s district meet

Hawks have ‘right attitude to be great’ despite heavy losses to graduation

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Opponents of the Ankeny boys' cross country team might be expecting the Hawks to take a big step backwards this season. That could be a mistake. Ankeny coach Jon Lindaman said his team has had a great summer of training and is ready to open the season on Tuesday at the Ankeny Centennial Invitational. "I always say that summer is really the first … [Read more...] about Hawks have ‘right attitude to be great’ despite heavy losses to graduation

Centennial girls to rely on deep, talented packs to reach their goals

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A No. 1 runner has yet to emerge for the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team. But head coach Eric Cogdill is completely fine with that. "I don’t expect us to have a clear No. 1 runner all season, and that is a great asset," said Cogdill. "We currently have a very nice pack of three that is right there with any top three we’ve had at Centennial. … [Read more...] about Centennial girls to rely on deep, talented packs to reach their goals

Experienced Hawkettes seeking first trip to Class 4A state meet since 2016

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The date of Nov. 2 is already circled on the calendar for the Ankeny girls' cross country runners. That's when the Class 4A state meet will be held at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge, and the Hawkettes are planning to be there as competitors. Ankeny has placed fourth in the regional meet in each of the last two years, falling just short of qualifying for … [Read more...] about Experienced Hawkettes seeking first trip to Class 4A state meet since 2016

Robinson named to 2019 ALL-USA Preseason Girls Volleyball Team

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Ankeny Centennial volleyball star Devyn Robinson has been named to the 2019 ALL-USA Preseason Girls Volleyball Team. Robinson, a senior middle hitter, was one of 21 players from across the nation to be selected to the team. The selections were made by Sloane Green of PrepVolleyball.com in coordination with USA TODAY High School Sports based on past … [Read more...] about Robinson named to 2019 ALL-USA Preseason Girls Volleyball Team