Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Max Martin, Ankeny boys’ swimming

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Junior Max Martin helped the Ankeny boys' swimming team to its first state title on Saturday in Iowa City. He placed sixth in the 50 freestyle with a time of 21.03 seconds. Martin also swam on all three of the Hawks' relays. He anchored the third-place 200 medley and second-place 400 freestyle relays, and he swam the opening leg on the runner-up 200 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Max Martin, Ankeny boys’ swimming

Hawk wrestlers crown 3 district champs, qualify 3 others for state tourney

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A year ago, the Ankeny wrestling team advanced just two wrestlers to the state tournament. In 2017, Ben Schiltz was the Hawks' lone qualifier in Class 3A. That's why Ankeny coach Jack Wignall was so excited after his team advanced six wrestlers to this year's tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. The seventh-ranked Hawks placed second in a district … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers crown 3 district champs, qualify 3 others for state tourney

Hawks ‘couldn’t ask for a better ending’ after winning first state championship

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Adam Vaske walked around the pool deck at the University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, looking for someone else to hug. The senior had just helped the Ankeny boys' swimming team to its first state championship on Saturday in Iowa City. "It's awesome," said Vaske, who swam the second leg on the runner-up 400 freestyle relay that … [Read more...] about Hawks ‘couldn’t ask for a better ending’ after winning first state championship

Jaguars capture district title, advance 9 wrestlers to state tournament

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Coach Jay Groth doesn't want his Ankeny Centennial wrestlers to get caught looking ahead. He prefers to have the Jaguars focus on their immediate task. "The emphasis is just to score the next point and everything else will take care of itself," Groth said. On Saturday, that strategy resulted in a Class 3A district title for Groth's team, marking a … [Read more...] about Jaguars capture district title, advance 9 wrestlers to state tournament

Hawks topple Johnston on Carlson’s late FTs, give Ames share of league title

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The percentages were in Dillon Carlson's favor. The senior guard made two free throws with 2.2 seconds left to give the Ankeny boys' basketball team a 59-57 victory over visiting Johnston on Friday. "I can't miss two in a row," said Carlson, an 84.6 percent free-throw shooter who had missed his previous attempt just moments earlier. "I was still … [Read more...] about Hawks topple Johnston on Carlson’s late FTs, give Ames share of league title

Johnston girls top Hawkettes, are ‘No. 1 in the state for a reason’

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team nearly upset Johnston on Dec. 21, building a 13-point halftime lead before dropping a 66-64 decision to the host Dragons. On Friday, third-ranked Johnston was ready for the rematch right from the opening tip. The Dragons jumped out to an early 15-7 lead and went on to post a 65-50 victory at Ankeny in the … [Read more...] about Johnston girls top Hawkettes, are ‘No. 1 in the state for a reason’

Centennial boys hold off J-Hawks for their 2nd straight victory

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After losing its starting point guard for the season, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team still found a way to win Friday's game against visiting Urbandale. The Jaguars pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 56-45 victory, their second in a row following a seven-game losing skid. They finished 3-7 in the CIML Central Conference and improved to … [Read more...] about Centennial boys hold off J-Hawks for their 2nd straight victory

Jaguars stumble against Urbandale, will look to bounce back on Monday

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It's a good thing that the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team will play a make-up game at Des Moines East on Monday. The Jaguars would like to regain some momentum before the start of postseason play later next week. "We need to get out and play again," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. The ninth-ranked Jaguars were coming off back-to-back … [Read more...] about Jaguars stumble against Urbandale, will look to bounce back on Monday

Centennial’s Prange, Ankeny’s Agan to play baseball for Grand View

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Ankeny Centennial infielder Cory Prange watched from afar as his brother, Drew, played baseball at Century Community College in Minnesota before transferring to Grand View University in Des Moines. When Cory was presented with an opportunity to play at either of those schools, he decided to stay closer to home. Prange has verbally committed to join his … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Prange, Ankeny’s Agan to play baseball for Grand View

Tetmeyer captures conference title; Ankeny teams earn runner-up finishes

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The Ankeny bowling teams picked a good time to have their best performances of the season. The Hawks and Hawkettes both placed second among four squads in the CIML Central Conference meet on Thursday at Great Escape. "We had our high series for both boys' and girls' teams today!" said Ankeny coach Hannah Munson. "I was very happy with how everyone … [Read more...] about Tetmeyer captures conference title; Ankeny teams earn runner-up finishes

Ankeny swimmers enter state meet with realistic goal to capture first crown

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Even though the Ankeny boys' swimming squad has dropped to seventh in the latest team power rankings with 1,793 points, the Hawks appear to be in good position to capture their first state title on Saturday at the University of Iowa's Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City. Ankeny has qualified for the state meet in 10 of the 11 events and … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers enter state meet with realistic goal to capture first crown

Hawks, Jaguars to host rematches in substate openers on Feb. 18

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball teams will start postseason play at home. Coaches' seed meetings were held on Wednesday throughout the state to determine the substate pairings. Ankeny received a No. 3 seed in Class 4A Substate 7, while Centennial earned a No. 4 seed in Substate 8. Ankeny (11-6) will host Des Moines Roosevelt … [Read more...] about Hawks, Jaguars to host rematches in substate openers on Feb. 18

Jaguars pummel Johnston, punch their ticket to state duals tournament

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The Ankeny Centennial wrestlers aren't satisfied with just qualifying for the state duals tournament. The Jaguars are looking to capture the Class 3A crown. Third-ranked Centennial advanced to the tournament for the first time in school history with a 54-19 victory over No. 14 Johnston in a regional final on Wednesday at Centennial. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about Jaguars pummel Johnston, punch their ticket to state duals tournament

Hawk wrestlers top East, then fall to No. 1 S.E. Polk in regional final

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Ankeny wrestling coach Jack Wignall is determined to get his team to the state duals tournament. It just won't be this year. The 16th-ranked Hawks advanced to a Class 3A regional final on Wednesday at Southeast Polk before dropping a 57-17 decision to the No. 1 Rams, who earned another trip to next week's state duals at Wells Fargo Arena. "I feel … [Read more...] about Hawk wrestlers top East, then fall to No. 1 S.E. Polk in regional final

Jaguars rely on balanced scoring, rugged defense to beat Mason City

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One of the hallmarks of the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball program under coach Scott DeJong has been a rugged defense. The Jaguars typically try to wear down their opponents over the course of a 32-minute game. On Tuesday, Centennial's strategy may have benefited from a quirk in the schedule. Its opponent, Mason City, was coming off a 90-78 loss … [Read more...] about Jaguars rely on balanced scoring, rugged defense to beat Mason City

Ankeny boys bounce back with huge win over reeling Huskies

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Tuesday's game against visiting Des Moines Hoover was an important one for the Ankeny boys' basketball team for a variety of reasons. The Hawks were hoping to bounce back from Friday's loss to Dowling Catholic and build some momentum for postseason play. A win would also strengthen Ankeny's argument for a higher seed in Class 4A substate play when the … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys bounce back with huge win over reeling Huskies

Centennial boys snap losing skid behind career-highs from Kelling, Brandt

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For the first time since Jan. 4, the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team walked off the court Tuesday with a victory. The Jaguars snapped a seven-game losing skid with an 83-56 win over visiting Mason City. They improved to 5-12 on the season, while the Mohawks' record dropped to 6-12. "It was a big shot in the arm for us," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about Centennial boys snap losing skid behind career-highs from Kelling, Brandt

Johnson provides ‘extra punch on offense’, leads Hawkettes past Hoover

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The return of Abby Johnson could make the Ankeny girls' basketball team a dangerous opponent in postseason play. Johnson scored 17 points on Tuesday in her second game back from a foot injury as the Hawkettes rolled to a 58-26 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover. "I feel like I'm getting stronger and more confident with each game I play," said … [Read more...] about Johnson provides ‘extra punch on offense’, leads Hawkettes past Hoover

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Riley Faeth, Ankeny wrestling

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Junior Riley Faeth is a member of the Ankeny wrestling team. The 120-pounder has helped the Hawks to a 10-6 record. "Riley has done a great job for us this season," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "He lost a wrestle-off to Mark Ames when Mark became eligible. But Riley shows up and works hard every day, and I'm glad he is part of our program!" The … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Riley Faeth, Ankeny wrestling