Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sam Belding, Ankeny football

by

Sam Belding of the Ankeny football team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Belding, a junior tight end and offensive lineman, has helped Ankeny to a 4-4 record, including a 3-1 mark in Class 4A District 1. The Hawks have won their last three games to keep their playoff hopes alive. Ankeny will close out the regular season on … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sam Belding, Ankeny football

Jaguars ‘can only go up from here’ after losing to Omaha Marian

by

If the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team goes on to win the Class 5A state title, none of the Jaguars will care about Monday's loss to Omaha (Neb.) Marian. Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart certainly won't. She scheduled the match because she wanted to challenge her players before the start of tournament play. "We wanted to see if there were things we … [Read more...] about Jaguars ‘can only go up from here’ after losing to Omaha Marian

Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Joey Reichenbacker and Jonah Vicker

by

Joey Reichenbacker has helped the Ankeny boys' cross country team to a No. 5 ranking in Class 4A, while fellow senior Jonah Vicker has helped Ankeny Centennial to a No. 11 ranking. Reichenbacker placed 12th in a time of 17 minutes 2 seconds at the CIML Central Conference meet on Thursday at Southeast Polk. He helped the Hawks to a third-place … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Joey Reichenbacker and Jonah Vicker

Niffenegger’s kickoff return sparks Hawks to 62-7 victory over S.C. North

by

Ankeny's Conner Niffenegger missed the last six football games after suffering an ACL injury during the Hawks' season opener against Ankeny Centennial. When Niffenegger returned to the field on Friday night against Sioux City North, it took him only 12 seconds to make a huge impact for the Hawks. The 155-pound senior fielded a short kick on the opening … [Read more...] about Niffenegger’s kickoff return sparks Hawks to 62-7 victory over S.C. North

Jaguars thump Roosevelt, move closer to No. 1 seed in Class 4A playoffs

by

A year ago, the Des Moines Roosevelt football team battled Ankeny Centennial into the fourth quarter before dropping a 13-6 decision to the Jaguars. Friday's rematch at Drake Stadium wasn't nearly as close. The third-ranked Jaguars built a 42-0 halftime lead and rolled to a 56-6 victory to move one step closer to a perfect regular … [Read more...] about Jaguars thump Roosevelt, move closer to No. 1 seed in Class 4A playoffs

SINDTSATIONAL ONCE AGAIN: Ankeny runner defends conference title

by

Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country teams used Thursday's CIML Central Conference meet as a tune-up for next week's district meets. The fifth-ranked Hawks placed third in the six-team field at Southeast Polk with 58 points. They were led by senior Tim Sindt, who pulled away from the field after the first mile to win the 5k race in a … [Read more...] about SINDTSATIONAL ONCE AGAIN: Ankeny runner defends conference title

Jaguars, Hawkettes run well at conference, gear up for regionals

by

When the CIML Central Conference cross country meet was moved to Southeast Polk, it forced many of the girls' teams to reconsider their strategy. The Central Conference teams ran in the same race on Thursday along with the six schools from the CIML Iowa Conference. Separate conference champions were crowned, even though the combined results were also … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes run well at conference, gear up for regionals

Jaguars capture outright CIML Central Conference championship

by

The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team captured the outright CIML Central Conference crown on Tuesday. Now, the Jaguars can focus on winning the championship that they really want--the Class 5A state title. "One of our team's goals this season was to win the conference, so we stepped on the court to do just that," Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart said … [Read more...] about Jaguars capture outright CIML Central Conference championship

Ankeny swimmers show no fatigue, cruise to win over Dragons

by

The members of the Ankeny girls' swimming team should have been suffering from fatigue on Tuesday. However, the fourth-ranked Hawkettes still posted some impressive times en route to a 135-51 victory at Johnston. "At this point in the season, both teams are making a final push for strength and speed before we enter the championship phase of our … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers show no fatigue, cruise to win over Dragons

Hawkettes sweep Johnston, earn runner-up finish in conference

by

The Ankeny volleyball team will take some momentum into postseason play. That is, if the Hawkettes can avoid getting rusty over the next two weeks. Sixth-ranked Ankeny completed its regular season on Tuesday with a 25-20, 25-9, 25-18 victory at No. 15 Johnston. The win allowed the Hawkettes to wrap up a second-place finish in the CIML Central … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Johnston, earn runner-up finish in conference

‘Goofy’ Moss earns B1G Freshman of the Week honors

by

If Riley Moss was nervous about making his first start for the Iowa football team, he didn't show it. "Riley is kind of a guy who is pretty loose in a way," teammate Jake Gervase said after Moss intercepted two passes in the Hawkeyes' 48-31 victory at Minnesota on Saturday. "He is confident in his abilities and he is kind of a goofy kid. He was ready to … [Read more...] about ‘Goofy’ Moss earns B1G Freshman of the Week honors

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Brooke Johnson, Ankeny girls’ cross country

by

Brooke Johnson of the Ankeny girls' cross country team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Johnson, a junior, helped the Hawkettes to a fifth-place finish in the Southeast Polk Invitational on Sept. 27. She placed 29th in the 5k race with a time of 23 minutes 8 seconds. Ankeny will compete in the CIML Central Conference meet … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Brooke Johnson, Ankeny girls’ cross country

Vote for Tim Sindt for Milesplit.com’s National Runner of the Week

by

After impressive wins at nationally-renowned meets at Marshalltown, Heartland and Rim Rock, Ankeny cross country standout Tim Sindt became the first Iowa runner to break the 15-minute barrier in a 5k at the Ankeny Centennial Invitational on Thursday at DMACC. Sindt is now a finalist for Milesplit.com's National Runner of the Week. Please cast your vote … [Read more...] about Vote for Tim Sindt for Milesplit.com’s National Runner of the Week

UNI’s Yarrow named MVC Offensive Player of the Week

by

Kelsey Yarrow was a goal-scoring machine during her soccer career at Ankeny High School. She has made a big impact at the collegiate level, too. Northern Iowa's senior midfielder was named the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. She had three goals to help the Panthers to a pair of victories last week. On Oct. 1, … [Read more...] about UNI’s Yarrow named MVC Offensive Player of the Week

Winters becomes Creighton’s all-time kills leader

by

Jaali Winters set another Creighton volleyball record during the 10th-ranked Bluejays' sweep over St. John's on Sunday in Omaha. The former Ankeny Centennial star became Creighton's all-time kills leader midway through the second set. She broke Leah Ratzlaff's previous mark of 1,622 kills on an attack off an assist from longtime friend and teammate Megan … [Read more...] about Winters becomes Creighton’s all-time kills leader

Hawkettes overcome injury to Behrens, claim Bettendorf championship

by

When the Ankeny volleyball team lost Kaci Behrens to an apparent concussion during the Bettendorf Invitational on Saturday, the Hawkettes didn't panic. Senior Karly Weber took over the libero position and helped sixth-ranked to a 5-1 record in the round-robin tournament. The Hawkettes, who improved to 28-12 overall, captured the Bettendorf title for the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome injury to Behrens, claim Bettendorf championship

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Romello Gray, Ankeny football

by

Senior defensive lineman Romello Gray has helped the Ankeny football team to a 3-4 record, including a 2-1 mark in district play. Gray made one solo tackle for a loss and had five assists in the Hawks' 47-0 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln on Friday. He is tied for fourth on the team with 28.5 tackles on the season. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Romello Gray, Ankeny football

Jaguars raise their game to new level, capture Westside Invite crown

by

If the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team wants to win a fourth state title in five years, the Jaguars will have to take their game to a higher level. On Saturday, they may have done just that. Second-ranked Centennial went a perfect 6-0 on the day to capture the Westside Invitational title at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The Jaguars posted a 25-16, 25-19 … [Read more...] about Jaguars raise their game to new level, capture Westside Invite crown

Course flooding cancels final round of boys’ state golf meet

by

Hunter Johnson got some bad news when he woke up on Saturday morning. "Unfortunately day 2 of state golf has been cancelled due to course flooding," Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld tweeted. "Great 1 day experience for Hunter and proud to coach him and the rest of the team this season." Johnson, a sophomore, carded a 5-over-par 76 in Friday's opening … [Read more...] about Course flooding cancels final round of boys’ state golf meet