Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Hawks

Hawks rally for walk-off win over No. 2 C.R. Prairie, then top N. Scott at Prange Classic

by

Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz often reminds his players that baseball is a unique sport. "I tell the guys all the time, 'This is the only game where you can't run out the clock. You can't dribble it out. You can't kneel on it. If you have outs left, you have a puncher's chance,'" Balvanz said. That proved to be the case in the Brent Prange Classic on … [Read more...] about Hawks rally for walk-off win over No. 2 C.R. Prairie, then top N. Scott at Prange Classic

‘We played some very good competition’: Hawkettes place 8th at Linn-Mar Invite

by

For the second weekend in a row, the Ankeny softball squad earned an eighth-place finish in a 16-team tournament by winning its first-round game before dropping the next three contests. The Hawkettes posted a 5-0 victory over North Linn in the Linn-Mar Invitational on Friday at Marion. They then dropped a 6-2 decision in the quarterfinals to Cedar Rapids … [Read more...] about ‘We played some very good competition’: Hawkettes place 8th at Linn-Mar Invite

Regional softball pairings announced: Jaguars earn top seed, Ankeny hits road

by

The Class 5A regional softball pairings have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Third-ranked Ankeny Centennial (22-8) is the top seed in Region 3 and will host Urbandale (7-18) or Des Moines North (0-10) in a regional semifinal on Saturday, July 12 at 7 p.m. No. 14 Cedar Rapids Kennedy (17-15) will host Waterloo West (12-18) in … [Read more...] about Regional softball pairings announced: Jaguars earn top seed, Ankeny hits road

‘We just find ways to win’: Dramatic rally in 7th allows Centennial to sweep Hawks

by

Isaac Bruhl hesitated only briefly as he rounded third base. The Ankeny Centennial senior raced home from second on a fielder's choice to cap a dramatic four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving the ninth-ranked Jaguars a 5-4 win over visiting Ankeny and a sweep of a CIML Conference baseball doubleheader on Wednesday. "That was … [Read more...] about ‘We just find ways to win’: Dramatic rally in 7th allows Centennial to sweep Hawks

‘Kori has grown up so much’: Lincicum hits, pitches Jags to sweep over Ankeny

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Kori Lincicum left her fingerprints all over a pair of Jaguar victories against their crosstown rival. The Ankeny Centennial junior walked off a 5-3 win with a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning before tossing a four-hitter in an 8-0 shutout as the fourth-ranked Jaguars swept a doubleheader over visiting Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘Kori has grown up so much’: Lincicum hits, pitches Jags to sweep over Ankeny

Road to state could go through Iowa City for Centennial, Ankeny baseball teams

by

The road to the state tournament could potentially go through Iowa City for both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial baseball teams. Ninth-ranked Centennial (14-7) has been placed in Class 4A Substate 7 by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The second-seeded Jaguars will host Marshalltown (6-15) in a quarterfinal game on Friday, July 11 at 7 … [Read more...] about Road to state could go through Iowa City for Centennial, Ankeny baseball teams

AHS pitchers shine, but Hawkettes drop pair of close games at No. 3 Johnston

by

The Ankeny softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader on Tuesday at Johnston in familiar fashion. The third-ranked Dragons scored a run in the sixth inning to post a 3-2 victory in the first game, which was completed after being suspended due to rain on Wednesday. They then got a run in both the sixth and seventh innings to rally for a 2-1 win in … [Read more...] about AHS pitchers shine, but Hawkettes drop pair of close games at No. 3 Johnston

‘Visiting’ Hawks top Urbandale in make-up game on their home field, face Jags next

by

The Ankeny baseball players felt right at home as the visiting squad on Tuesday. Playing on their home field, the Hawks scored in each of the first five innings and went on to defeat Urbandale, 7-2, in a CIML Conference game. The contest was supposed to be played at Urbandale on Monday, but was postponed due to rain. The J-Hawks then agreed to play at … [Read more...] about ‘Visiting’ Hawks top Urbandale in make-up game on their home field, face Jags next

‘We told ourselves to just keep working’: Lensmeyer hurls gem in win at Urbandale

by

Ankeny pitcher Aubrey Lensmeyer didn't have her best changeup on Monday. Fortunately, the senior righthander didn't need it. Relying on her other pitches, Lensmeyer tossed a two-hitter and had six strikeouts to lead the Hawkettes to a 3-1 victory at Urbandale in a CIML Conference softball game. "My curve and rise were really on today," said … [Read more...] about ‘We told ourselves to just keep working’: Lensmeyer hurls gem in win at Urbandale

‘I know I’ll get great support there’: Ex-Red Raider Johnson to play for Minnesota

by

Former Ankeny softball star Cassie Johnson has found a new home--and it's a lot closer to her hometown. After sitting out her freshman season at Texas Tech as a redshirt, Johnson elected to enter the transfer portal. She has now committed to play for Minnesota. "I looked at quite a few schools, but Minnesota definitely stood out to me!" said Johnson, a … [Read more...] about ‘I know I’ll get great support there’: Ex-Red Raider Johnson to play for Minnesota

Jaguars beat Ankeny at Fort Dodge Invite, then top Dodgers to earn 5th-place finish

by

The second meeting between Ankeny's crosstown rivals on the softball field came a few days earlier than expected. Fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny both competed in the 16-team Fort Dodge Invitational this weekend. The two squads collided in a consolation semifinal on Saturday after they both split a pair of contests on Friday, and the Jaguars … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat Ankeny at Fort Dodge Invite, then top Dodgers to earn 5th-place finish

Ankeny girls earn all-American honors in SMR at Nike Track & Field National meet

by

The Ankeny quartet of Charlee Cibula, Lillian Buckley, Morgan Fisher and Makenna Madetzke earned all-American honors this week at the Nike Track & Field National meet. The four runners teamed up for a fourth-place finish in the sprint medley relay, which is the equivalent to the distance medley relay in Iowa. They posted a time of 4:04.23. The same … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls earn all-American honors in SMR at Nike Track & Field National meet

‘We just didn’t have enough offense’: Hawks drop 5-2 decision at No. 7 Waukee

by

Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz continues to see signs of improvement from his team. "The defense looked great, and the pitching is coming around," said Balvanz. "We just have to find a way to be more productive consistently on offense. That can be tough against some of these teams in the CIML." The Hawks dropped a 5-2 decision on Thursday at … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t have enough offense’: Hawks drop 5-2 decision at No. 7 Waukee

Waukee rolls past Hawkettes in 4 innings, avenges earlier doubleheader loss

by

A return to CIML Conference play has been a struggle this week for the Ankeny softball team. After winning three of four games in the John Stephens Classic last weekend at Creston, the Hawkettes dropped a 4-0 decision at then-No. 3 Valley on Monday. Then, after Wednesday's doubleheader at Johnston was rained out, Ankeny traveled to Waukee on Thursday … [Read more...] about Waukee rolls past Hawkettes in 4 innings, avenges earlier doubleheader loss

Former Ankeny girls’ tennis coach Owens returns to take over Hawkettes’ program

by

The new head coach of the Ankeny girls' tennis team already knows her way around the Prairie Ridge tennis courts. Katie Owens has been hired to replace Steve Smith, who stepped down at the end of the season. She previously coached the Hawkettes from 2014-20, although her final year was interrupted by COVID-19. "I'm back," said Owens. "I'm so … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny girls’ tennis coach Owens returns to take over Hawkettes’ program

‘I hope I can make an impact there’: Williams picks Bluejays over Buffaloes

by

After narrowing down her list of schools to a top five, Ankeny basketball standout Jayla Williams picked the one that was closest to home. Even though the location wasn't much of a factor. "I actually didn't really want to go that close to home," Williams said on Tuesday after committing to play for Creighton. The senior-to-be is considered Iowa's … [Read more...] about ‘I hope I can make an impact there’: Williams picks Bluejays over Buffaloes

‘I wish we could’ve finished it’: Hawks fall at No. 10 Valley in rain-shortened game

by

Despite not giving up a run, Valley lefthander Dane Gosselink needed 87 pitches to get through five innings in Monday's baseball game against visiting Ankeny. Due to the pitch count limit, the junior likely would have only been able to throw one more inning at that pace. Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz was hoping that his team could get into the Tigers' … [Read more...] about ‘I wish we could’ve finished it’: Hawks fall at No. 10 Valley in rain-shortened game

Ankeny basketball standout Williams verbally commits to play for Creighton

by

One of Iowa's top girls' basketball players in the Class of 2026 has made her college decision. Ankeny wing Jayla Williams announced on Tuesday she has verbally committed to Creighton. The senior-to-be held more than a dozen offers from Division I schools and had previously narrowed her list down to five schools, which also included Colorado, Columbia, … [Read more...] about Ankeny basketball standout Williams verbally commits to play for Creighton