A rough shooting night resulted in a season-ending loss for Cleao Murray and the Grand View women's basketball team. The fifth-seeded Vikings shot just 27.5 percent from the field (19-of-69) and dropped a 72-53 decision to No. 12 seed Indiana South Bend in the opening round of the NAIA Championship on Friday at Madison, S.D. Indiana South Bend (31-1) … [Read more...] about Cold-shooting Grand View drops 72-53 decision in first round of NAIA tourney
Niagara falls to Marist in MAAC quarters, but ex-Hawk Bayless plans to return
The season ended on Thursday for Braxton Bayless and the Niagara men's basketball team. However, Bayless' college career isn't over. The senior guard scored eight points and dished out four assists in the Purple Eagles' 65-59 loss to Marist in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC Championship at Jim Whalen Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. "I do … [Read more...] about Niagara falls to Marist in MAAC quarters, but ex-Hawk Bayless plans to return
With 14 returning state qualifiers, Jaguars seek first top-10 finish in Class 4A
The Ankeny Centennial girls' track team has never placed in the top 10 at the Class 4A state meet. This could be the year that the Jaguars break through that barrier. "Our No. 1 goal is to have a ton of fun as a team and to continue to build on the great team culture we have," said Centennial coach Tyler Asbe. "With that environment, the level of … [Read more...] about With 14 returning state qualifiers, Jaguars seek first top-10 finish in Class 4A
Runchey scores 12 points, but Wartburg falls to Smith College in OT at Final 4
The final game of Taylor Runchey's college basketball career resulted in some bittersweet feelings. The former Ankeny Centennial standout scored a season-high 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, but the Wartburg College women's team dropped a 61-54 decision to Smith College in overtime in the NCAA Division III Final Four on Thursday at Bexley, Ohio. The … [Read more...] about Runchey scores 12 points, but Wartburg falls to Smith College in OT at Final 4
Centennial boys return 16 state qualifiers, led by deep group of sprinters
Due to some balmy spring weather, the season is already off to a good start for the Ankeny Centennial boys' track team. "This has been the most the team has been able to train outdoors this early," said Centennial coach Nate Smith. "The coaches and athletes have taken advantage of it." The Jaguars tied for 25th place in last year's Class 4A state meet … [Read more...] about Centennial boys return 16 state qualifiers, led by deep group of sprinters
‘I’m sure I’ve made the right choice’: Peiffer to wrestle at Northwestern
Ankeny senior Teagen Peiffer has committed to wrestle next year at Northwestern College in Orange City. Peiffer said it took him awhile to find the right school. "I visited a lot of schools, but in the end there were only a few I was seriously considering," said Peiffer. "It definitely wasn’t an easy decision. There were a lot of factors I needed to … [Read more...] about ‘I’m sure I’ve made the right choice’: Peiffer to wrestle at Northwestern
Aguirre, Vaske earn academic all-state boys’ basketball honors from IBCA
Seniors Lio Aguirre of Ankeny and Nick Vaske of Ankeny Centennial have been named to the academic all-state boys' basketball team by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. The 23-player team was selected by an IBCA panel from more than 136 applicants. The 2024 squad has the following averages: An ACT composite score of 26.5, a scoring average of 16.9 … [Read more...] about Aguirre, Vaske earn academic all-state boys’ basketball honors from IBCA
Ankeny boys look to ‘raise the standard’ in first season under new coach Fuccio
Although the Ankeny boys' soccer team boasts a new head coach in Trevor Fuccio, the Hawks may look a lot like last year's squad. Most of the starters are back from a year ago, when Fuccio was an assistant under former coach Marcus Varnum. "The practices have been going well so far," said Fuccio. "The boys are adjusting well to some of the new ideas, … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys look to ‘raise the standard’ in first season under new coach Fuccio
‘Our focus will be improving each day’: Hawkettes return 5 varsity regulars
When the Ankeny girls' tennis team opens its season on April 4 at Waukee, the Hawkettes' lineup will feature a new No. 1 player. Kira Smith, a two-time state qualifier and the daughter of coach Steve Smith, is not on the team's roster. "Kira is training in Florida, and I’m preparing for the season as if she won’t be playing," said coach Smith. It … [Read more...] about ‘Our focus will be improving each day’: Hawkettes return 5 varsity regulars
Hungry, humble Hawks off to good start in quest for Class 4A state championship
After nearly winning a state championship last year, the Ankeny boys' track team is looking to capture the Class 4A crown in 2024. The Hawks battled CIML Conference rival Johnston down to the wire a year ago before the Dragons edged Ankeny in the final two events to win the title with 84 points. Coach Jordan Mullen's squad took second with 80 points, the … [Read more...] about Hungry, humble Hawks off to good start in quest for Class 4A state championship
Winkel, Johnson earn first-team all-state honors in Class 4A from IPSWA
Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball standout Luke Winkel has been named to the Class 4A all-state first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association for the second straight year. Winkel was joined on the first team by Ankeny star Carson Johnson, who was a second-team pick a year ago. Both players surpassed the 1,000-point career mark this … [Read more...] about Winkel, Johnson earn first-team all-state honors in Class 4A from IPSWA
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Pederson, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Senior forward Cade Pederson helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to an 18-7 record and a trip to the Class 4A semifinals. He averaged 4.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while leading the Hawks with 23 blocks. Pederson had eight points and eight rebounds in Ankeny's 60-47 win over Dubuque Senior in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday at Wells … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Pederson, Ankeny boys’ basketball
Johnson, Winkel are repeat selections to CIML Conference first team
Senior guards Carson Johnson of Ankeny and Luke Winkel of Ankeny Centennial were both repeat selections to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league's boys' basketball coaches. They were both unanimous picks. Johnson led the Hawks to an 18-7 record and a trip to the Class 4A semifinals. He was the second-leading scorer in Class 4A with an … [Read more...] about Johnson, Winkel are repeat selections to CIML Conference first team
Murray leads Grand View to conference tourney title, into NAIA Championship
Cleao Murray has led the Grand View women's basketball team to unprecedented heights. The former Ankeny Centennial star scored 19 points to help the Vikings to a 65-62 victory over visiting Benedictine (Kan.) in the championship game of the Heart of America Conference Tournament on Tuesday at Sisam Arena. She went 8-of-19 from the field, including 2-of-6 … [Read more...] about Murray leads Grand View to conference tourney title, into NAIA Championship
Wartburg women’s squad reaches Div. III Final 4 for 3rd time in program history
Taylor Runchey's final collegiate basketball season will conclude at the NCAA Division III Final Four. The former Ankeny Centennial standout helped the Wartburg College women's team to a 68-58 victory over Washington and Lee University in the Elite 8 on Saturday at Providence, R.I. She had three rebounds, an assist and a block in 29 minutes of … [Read more...] about Wartburg women’s squad reaches Div. III Final 4 for 3rd time in program history
Runchey, Wartburg advance to Elite 8 with last-second win over Bates College
Taylor Runchey and the Wartburg College women's basketball team have reached the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament. Runchey, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, helped the Knights to a 54-53 victory over Bates College in the Sweet 16 round of the Division III tournament on Friday at Providence, R.I. She had two points, five rebounds and four assists in the … [Read more...] about Runchey, Wartburg advance to Elite 8 with last-second win over Bates College
Cougars contain Johnson with trapping defense, advance to Class 4A title game
Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys' basketball coach Jon McKowen refused to let Ankeny's Carson Johnson beat his team. The strategy proved to be effective. The top-ranked Cougars used a trapping defense to hold Johnson to nine points on 4-of-13 shooting and posted a 63-51 victory in the Class 4A semifinals on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. "We press every … [Read more...] about Cougars contain Johnson with trapping defense, advance to Class 4A title game
‘I was really proud of our fight’: Hawks’ rally falls short against C.R. Kennedy
The Ankeny boys' basketball team closed out the season on Thursday with a 63-51 loss to top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy in the Class 4A semifinals at Wells Fargo Arena. The loss ended an eight-game winning streak for the Hawks, who finished with an 18-7 record. "I was really proud of our fight. I thought we won the last three quarters ultimately, but … [Read more...] about ‘I was really proud of our fight’: Hawks’ rally falls short against C.R. Kennedy
‘I can’t wait for this next chapter!’: Jaguars’ Kroska to play soccer at Denver
Ankeny Centennial junior Olivia Kroska is headed to the Mile High City in the fall of 2025. Kroska, a midfielder, has committed to play Division I soccer for the University of Denver. "I looked at quite a few schools, and they were all in different areas," said Kroska. "It was a little hard at first to wrap my head around being so far away from family … [Read more...] about ‘I can’t wait for this next chapter!’: Jaguars’ Kroska to play soccer at Denver
An all-CIML final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals
And now we're down to the Final Four. There wasn't much drama in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena, where the four games were decided by an average of 12.5 points. The last two games ended up with single-digit margins, but Valley and Bettendorf both held on to win after once leading by 15 and 19 points, respectively. So … [Read more...] about An all-CIML final? Here are Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for 4A semifinals