Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

Here’s how to enter Ankeny Fanatic’s NCAA Tournament pool

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Are you ready for some March Madness? The NCAA Tournament pairings have been announced. Eight teams are headed to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines for the first two rounds on Thursday and Saturday. You can enter the Ankeny Fanatic NCAA Tournament pool sponsored by the Yankee Clipper and win a couple of great prizes. The winner of the pool will receive a … [Read more...] about Here’s how to enter Ankeny Fanatic’s NCAA Tournament pool

Vacek commits to play volleyball at Wayne State, will reunite with Ballenger

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Ankeny's Isabelle Vacek has known for a long time that she wanted to continue her volleyball career at Wayne State College. Earlier this week, the junior outside hitter made it official. Vacek verbally committed to play for the Wildcats, beginning in the 2020 season. "I'm so excited," said Vacek. "I've been wanting to go there forever, but I tried … [Read more...] about Vacek commits to play volleyball at Wayne State, will reunite with Ballenger

ACA’s Selindh named Class 1A Substate 7 Coach of the Year

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Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball coach Paul Selindh has been named the Class 1A Substate 7 Coach of the Year by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. Selindh guided the Eagles to a 23-1 record, including the first undefeated regular season in school history. His team advanced to a substate final before suffering its only loss of the year--a … [Read more...] about ACA’s Selindh named Class 1A Substate 7 Coach of the Year

Under new coach, Hawkettes boast 14 returning state qualifiers

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After watching his team compete in a pair of indoor meets, Ankeny girls' track coach Thomas Cotter likes what he has seen from the Hawkettes. "The indoor season has gone great," said Cotter, whose team will compete again on Saturday at the Buena Vista Indoor Meet. "We went into the season hoping to develop more 400 runners, and we have certainly seen … [Read more...] about Under new coach, Hawkettes boast 14 returning state qualifiers

Finally healthy again, ex-Jaguar Jones is Valpo’s top hitter

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It doesn't matter to Brent Jones which position he plays. The Valparaiso University baseball player is just happy to be back in the lineup. After missing the last two seasons due to injuries, Jones is now the leading hitter for the Crusaders. The former Ankeny Centennial standout is batting .327 with four extra-base hits and nine RBIs in the first 13 … [Read more...] about Finally healthy again, ex-Jaguar Jones is Valpo’s top hitter

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sam Parr, Ankeny girls’ track

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Sam Parr is a member of the Ankeny girls' track team. "Sam is a senior who has really stepped up as a team leader in the first few weeks of the season as we have transitioned to our new routines and expectations," said Ankeny coach Thomas Cotter. "She focuses on the discus, but will also throw shot for us from time to time this spring." The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sam Parr, Ankeny girls’ track

Hawks boast high hopes after strong finish at last year’s state meet

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If the Ankeny boys' track team can stay healthy, the Hawks should have a good chance to build on the success of last year's squad. Ankeny tied for 13th place in the Class 4A state meet with 21 points. It was the Hawks' highest finish since the split into two high schools. Thirteen state qualifiers are back, including standout distance runner Tim Sindt, … [Read more...] about Hawks boast high hopes after strong finish at last year’s state meet

Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer earns All-Region honorable mention

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Former Ankeny Centennial standout Connor Kasperbauer was among the Kirkwood Community College players to be listed on the Division II Region XI Men's Basketball All-Region teams. The redshirt freshman shooting guard received honorable mention. Kasperbauer has started all 31 games this season, helping the Eagles to a 27-4 record and a berth in the Division … [Read more...] about Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer earns All-Region honorable mention

Ankeny Christian Academy’s Grizzle named to Class 1A all-state third team

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Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball standout Caleb Grizzle has been named to the Class 1A all-state third team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Grizzle, a 6-foot-7 senior center, led Ankeny Christian Academy to the first undefeated regular season in school history. The Eagles advanced to a Class 1A substate final before dropping a 58-56 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian Academy’s Grizzle named to Class 1A all-state third team

Former Ankeny star Doocy named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week

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Former Ankeny pitcher Allison Doocy has been honored by the Big Ten Conference for the third time in her career. The University of Iowa junior righthander was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on Monday. She also received that honor last season (March 12, 2018) and was previously named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week on April 17, 2017. Doocy picked up … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny star Doocy named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week

Rumley records her first Olympic Trial cutoff time at TYR Pro Swim Series event

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Ankeny junior Jasmine Rumley decided this spring not to go out for track in order to focus on her swimming career. So far, it appears to be a good decision. Rumley competed in the TYR Pro Swim Series at the downtown Des Moines YMCA on Thursday through Saturday and recorded her first Olympic Trial cutoff time. She placed 13th in the 50 meter freestyle … [Read more...] about Rumley records her first Olympic Trial cutoff time at TYR Pro Swim Series event

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Grizzle, ACA boys’ basketball

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Senior center Caleb Grizzle led the Ankeny Christian Academy boys' basketball team to a 23-1 record. He had 15 points, nine rebounds, seven blocks and four assists as the Eagles ended their season with a 58-56 loss to Council Bluffs St. Albert in a Class 1A substate final on Feb. 25 at Adel. The 6-foot-7 Grizzle averaged a team-high 17.0 points, 8.3 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caleb Grizzle, ACA boys’ basketball

Despite heavy losses, Jaguars boast 12 returning state qualifiers

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It won't be easy for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team to duplicate the success of last year's squad. The Jaguars placed fifth in the Class 4A state meet with 43 points, the highest finish in school history. But five of the top performers from that squad will have to be replaced. State champion Riley Moss graduated after setting an all-time Iowa … [Read more...] about Despite heavy losses, Jaguars boast 12 returning state qualifiers

Centennial’s Cole to play tennis at Grand View University

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James Cole wasn't ready to stop playing competitive tennis. Now, he won't have to. The Ankeny Centennial senior has committed to play for Grand View University next year. He picked the Vikings after visiting several other schools. "It was a tough decision," Cole said. "I visited some colleges and all of them seemed alike. Most were bigger schools … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Cole to play tennis at Grand View University

Kasperbauer, Eagles claim regional title, advance to national tournament

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Thanks to a 54-point second half, the Kirkwood Community College men's basketball team is headed to the national tournament for the first time since the Eagles won a Division II title in 2016. Second-ranked Kirkwood overcame a 32-30 halftime deficit to defeat No. 7 NIACC, 84-72, in a regional final on Saturday at Cedar Rapids. Former Ankeny Centennial … [Read more...] about Kasperbauer, Eagles claim regional title, advance to national tournament

Former Ankeny, Ellsworth catcher Anderberg earns starting role at GWU

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Among the new faces on the George Washington baseball squad is a former Ankeny catcher who has helped the Colonials become one of the top offensive teams in the nation. Junior Greg Anderberg is in his first season at George Washington after transferring from Ellsworth (Iowa) Community College. He has played in 10 of the first 11 games with nine starts, … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny, Ellsworth catcher Anderberg earns starting role at GWU

Ankeny duo named to all-conference first team along with McCullough

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The CIML Central Conference boys' basketball first team includes a trio of players from Ankeny. Senior guard Dillon Carlson and junior guard Braxton Bayless of Ankeny were both named to the team along with junior forward Cody McCullough of Ankeny Centennial. The all-conference teams were selected by the league's coaches. Bayless led the Hawks to a 13-8 … [Read more...] about Ankeny duo named to all-conference first team along with McCullough

Petersen to coach Centennial girls’ golf; Smith takes over Ankeny boys’ tennis program

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John Petersen always thought he'd be a head golf coach someday. Steve Smith never thought he'd pursue a high school coaching position. Now, both of them are getting ready to tackle new challenges this spring. Petersen, the former Ankeny boys' basketball and assistant boys' tennis coach, has taken over the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf program. He … [Read more...] about Petersen to coach Centennial girls’ golf; Smith takes over Ankeny boys’ tennis program