Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Dan Holm

‘We know that we’re the best team’: ACA tops BCLUW, will play Holy Trinity for title

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Last year, the Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team made a surprising run to the Class 1A state championship. Now, the top-ranked Eagles are just win one away from defending their title as a prohibitive favorite. "It feels amazing," ACA setter Katie Quick said on Wednesday after the Eagles defeated No. 4 BCLUW in four sets in the Class 1A … [Read more...] about ‘We know that we’re the best team’: ACA tops BCLUW, will play Holy Trinity for title

‘It was a good battle’: Wolves rally past Centennial in Class 5A semifinal slugfest

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The third time proved to be a charm for the Waukee Northwest volleyball team. After losing twice to second-ranked Ankeny Centennial earlier this season, the No. 3 Wolves earned some revenge with a dramatic five-set victory in the Class 5A semifinals on Wednesday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Northwest (26-9) advanced to the championship match for the … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good battle’: Wolves rally past Centennial in Class 5A semifinal slugfest

Eagles overcome slow start, Craighead’s cramp to beat Newell-Fonda in 4 sets

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The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team overcame a slow start to defeat Newell-Fonda in four sets in the Class 1A quarterfinals on Tuesday night at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The top-seeded Eagles posted a 20-25, 25-11, 25-21, 25-14 victory to extend their winning streak to 27 matches. The loss ended an 11-match winning streak for Newell-Fonda … [Read more...] about Eagles overcome slow start, Craighead’s cramp to beat Newell-Fonda in 4 sets

‘I found a love for the sport’: Ankeny’s Jumper to run track at Central College

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Ankeny hurdler Ella Jumper has verbally committed to join the Central College women's track and field program. Jumper, who qualified for the Class 4A state meet last spring in the shuttle hurdle relay, picked the Dutch after looking at a few other schools, including Wisconsin-La Crosse. "I was very particular in what I wanted so I only went on a few … [Read more...] about ‘I found a love for the sport’: Ankeny’s Jumper to run track at Central College

An all-CIML final?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

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The top four seeds in the Class 5A state volleyball tournament all advanced to Wednesday's semifinals at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Will the rankings continue to hold up true to form? Here are Ankeny Fanatic's predictions for the Final Four: No. 1 Dowling Catholic (31-7) vs. No. 4 Pleasant Valley (28-5): These two teams won their quarterfinal … [Read more...] about An all-CIML final?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

Centennial’s Mixdorf, Pollock, Sash earn academic all-state volleyball honors

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Ankeny Centennial seniors Gabby Mixdorf, Addie Pollock and Anna Sash have been named to the academic all-state volleyball team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. They are the first players from Ankeny or Centennial to be selected to the squad since 2019. An athlete must be a senior and meet two of the following three criteria to earn academic … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Mixdorf, Pollock, Sash earn academic all-state volleyball honors

‘I was fighting for my team’: Sash leads Centennial past Hawkettes in thriller

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It's a shame that one team had to lose in the Jag-Hawk matchup at the state volleyball tournament on Monday. Both squads played well enough to win the Class 5A quarterfinal at Xtream Arena in Coralville. In the end, second-ranked Ankeny Centennial held on for a 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 14-25, 15-12 victory over No. 7 Ankeny, which nearly overcame a huge … [Read more...] about ‘I was fighting for my team’: Sash leads Centennial past Hawkettes in thriller

‘That was a tough match’: Jaguars outlast Ankeny to advance to Class 5A semifinals

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Monday's Jag-Hawk rematch in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state volleyball tournament lived up to the pre-match hype. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial held off a furious rally by No. 7 Ankeny to post a 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 14-25, 15-12 victory at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. The Jaguars (31-6) will play No. 3 Waukee Northwest or No. 6 Cedar Falls … [Read more...] about ‘That was a tough match’: Jaguars outlast Ankeny to advance to Class 5A semifinals

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Trenton Smith, Centennial football

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Senior quarterback Trenton Smith helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 35-7 victory at No. 4 Waukee Northwest in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs on Friday. He completed 11-of-14 passes for 116 yards and a 30-yard touchdown toss to Braeden Jackson on the team's opening possession. For the season, Smith has connected on 116-of-171 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Trenton Smith, Centennial football

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

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The state volleyball tournament gets under way on Monday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. We already know that at least one team from Ankeny will advance to the Class 5A semifinals on Wednesday. Ankeny will face Ankeny Centennial in one of the four quarterfinal matchups. The tournament kicks off at noon on Court One, where Dowling Catholic will meet … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

Zuber races to Class 4A individual crown, leads Hawks to repeat 3rd-place finish

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Ethan Zuber made a promise to Ankeny boys' cross country coach Jon Lindaman a year ago that he would become a Class 4A state champion in 2023. The junior delivered on that promise Friday at the Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge.The second-ranked Zuber pulled away from No. 3 Jaden Merrick of Cedar Falls in the final mile to win the 5k race in a time of 15 … [Read more...] about Zuber races to Class 4A individual crown, leads Hawks to repeat 3rd-place finish

Hawkettes place 7th, Jaguars finish 9th in Class 4A; Beason, Mohrhauser lead way

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country teams have had some close battles all season. The two squads had another one on Friday in the Class 4A state meet at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. Eighth-ranked Ankeny placed seventh in the 15-team field for the second straight year, finishing with 186 points. No. 5 Centennial took ninth with … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 7th, Jaguars finish 9th in Class 4A; Beason, Mohrhauser lead way

‘We were just mentally stronger’: Hawks oust Johnston, earn shot at No. 2 Dowling

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(Story by Gabe Ploeger) Late into the fourth quarter, in the moment where it mattered most, the Ankeny Hawks secured their ticket to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A football playoffs. With only 2 minutes to go, the Hawks held a 14-9 lead over visiting Johnston and had the ball at the Dragons' 32-yard line, but faced a crucial third down. All … [Read more...] about ‘We were just mentally stronger’: Hawks oust Johnston, earn shot at No. 2 Dowling

‘Our kids rose to the occasion’: Jaguars dominate Waukee NW in playoff rematch

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(Story by Rob Gray) From the first snap, Ankeny Centennial just looked different. The underdog Jaguars strode into Friday’s Class 5A playoff matchup at No. 4 Waukee Northwest with a spring in their step and a thirst for revenge in their roster-wide heart. “We’ve had the juice since Monday,” said Centennial running back Elijah Porter, who rushed for … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids rose to the occasion’: Jaguars dominate Waukee NW in playoff rematch

‘I always wanted to stay close to home’: Crawford commits to play for Bulldogs

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Ankeny Centennial junior Mya Crawford has verbally committed to play for the Drake women's basketball program. The versatile wing player announced her decision via social media on Friday. "I would like to take the time to thank all of my teammates, friends, and family for being my biggest supporters," she tweeted. "Thank you to ALL of my coaches who … [Read more...] about ‘I always wanted to stay close to home’: Crawford commits to play for Bulldogs

Eagles return to state with sweep over Riverside, will face Newell-Fonda next

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The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team will take a 26-match winning streak into next week's state tournament. The top-ranked Eagles advanced to state with a 25-19, 25-18, 25-12 victory over Riverside in a Class 1A regional final on Wednesday at Van Meter. They raised their record to 36-3, while Riverside ends the season at 27-11. "We accomplished … [Read more...] about Eagles return to state with sweep over Riverside, will face Newell-Fonda next

‘Ultimately, I went with my heart’: Ankeny junior to play softball at South Dakota

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Ankeny junior Aubrey Lensmeyer has verbally committed to play softball at South Dakota. Lensmeyer announced her decision via social media on Wednesday. "It was probably the hardest decision I have ever had to make," said Lensmeyer. "I kept going back and forth, and it took me a while to really figure out exactly what I wanted. Ultimately, I went with … [Read more...] about ‘Ultimately, I went with my heart’: Ankeny junior to play softball at South Dakota

‘Unfinished business’: Hawkettes qualify for state, get rematch vs. Centennial

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The Ankeny volleyball team got the rematch that many of the Hawkettes wanted. After sweeping visiting Iowa City Liberty in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday, seventh-ranked Ankeny will face No. 2 Ankeny Centennial in the quarterfinals of the state tournament on Monday at Xtream Arena in Coralville, beginning at 12:25 p.m. "I would love to go against … [Read more...] about ‘Unfinished business’: Hawkettes qualify for state, get rematch vs. Centennial