Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Early Bird Invitational featured many of the state's top volleyball teams, including nine of the top 10 squads in the Class 5A preseason rankings. Both Centennial and Ankeny came away from the tournament feeling good about their performance. The fourth-ranked Jaguars advanced to the championship match with a 22-25, 27-25, … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes demonstrate lofty potential at Centennial’s Early Bird Invite
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Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Miya Steinkamp, Ankeny volleyball
Senior setter Miya Steinkamp has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a 6-2 record. The Hawkettes opened their season on Tuesday by defeating all three of their opponents at the Ankeny Quadrangular, then reached the semifinals of the Ankeny Centennial Early Bird Invitational on Saturday before losing a three-set match to the No. 4 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Miya Steinkamp, Ankeny volleyball
‘We know we’ve got a good team’: Hawks fall short in opener against Waukee NW
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) For just a brief moment, the Ankeny football players thought they’d put the dagger in what would have been a season-opening victory over Waukee Northwest. An untimely holding penalty wiped away an Ankeny touchdown and opened up the opportunity for the fourth-ranked Wolves to snatch a 25-24 win from the jaws of defeat during … [Read more...] about ‘We know we’ve got a good team’: Hawks fall short in opener against Waukee NW
Ankeny swimmers welcome back 5 state qualifiers, seek return to top-10 finish
The Ankeny girls' swimming team is hoping that last year was just an aberration. After earning 10 consecutive top-10 finishes at the state meet, the Hawkettes slipped to a 29th-place finish in 2024. They scored just nine points after being disqualified in the 200 medley relay. Ankeny was seeded seventh in that event and posted a time of 1:51.01, which … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers welcome back 5 state qualifiers, seek return to top-10 finish
‘I feel more calm’: Miller wins playoff to earn medalist honors at NW Invitational
Thursday's Waukee Northwest Invitational at The Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk provided another opportunity for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' golf teams to compete against some of the state's top squads. It was also another chance for Centennial junior McCoy Miller to build on his rapidly growing resume. Miller carded a 3-under-par 69 to tie for … [Read more...] about ‘I feel more calm’: Miller wins playoff to earn medalist honors at NW Invitational
Flick, Blevins lead Centennial girls to runner-up finish at Jaguar Invitational
The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team opened its season on Tuesday by placing second in the Jaguar Invitational at DMACC. The 12th-ranked Jaguars scored 55 points when the results of the two girls' races were combined. No. 3 Waukee Northwest won the meet with 36 points. "Our coaching staff is very proud of our girls as they fought off … [Read more...] about Flick, Blevins lead Centennial girls to runner-up finish at Jaguar Invitational
Hawkettes top 3 foes at Ankeny Quad, while ACA looks to regroup after 0-3 start
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Whether it's the Hawkettes or the Eagles, there’s plenty of new faces stepping up into larger roles as both volleyball teams look to reload their respective rosters. Ankeny and Ankeny Christian Academy are both trying to fill the gaps left by big senior classes, and Ankeny’s Tuesday quadrangular featuring ACA, Dike-New … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top 3 foes at Ankeny Quad, while ACA looks to regroup after 0-3 start
All-staters Clark, Larmie, Whitinger give Ankeny football team strong nucleus
Despite some heavy losses to graduation, the Ankeny football team isn't starting over from scratch. The Hawks return several key players from a team that posted a 6-5 record and reached the Class 5A quarterfinals, including a trio of all-staters. "This might be the best looking team I've had getting off the bus, but we've got a lot of guys who haven't … [Read more...] about All-staters Clark, Larmie, Whitinger give Ankeny football team strong nucleus
‘I think we will surprise a lot of people’: Hawks boast high hopes despite losses
Ankeny boys' cross country coach Jon Lindaman has been in this situation before. Lindaman will have to replace two-time Class 4A state champion Ethan Zuber, who is now competing for Missouri. Zuber led the Hawks to an eighth-place finish a year ago after helping them to back-to-back third-place finishes in 2022-23. It won't be easy, but at least … [Read more...] about ‘I think we will surprise a lot of people’: Hawks boast high hopes despite losses
‘You go, I go’: Hawkettes hope to continue recent success by stressing teamwork
The Ankeny girls' cross country team has been remarkably consistent over the last few years. The Hawkettes placed seventh in last year's Class 4A state meet with 195 points. It was the team's third straight seventh-place finish after placing sixth in 2021, which was the program's highest finish since taking fifth in 1988. However, Ankeny coach TJ … [Read more...] about ‘You go, I go’: Hawkettes hope to continue recent success by stressing teamwork
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Daniel Larmie, Ankeny football
Senior running back Daniel Larmie is one of three returning all-state players for the Ankeny football team. He helped the Hawks to a 6-5 record and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals last season. Larmie rushed for 1,208 yards and 11 touchdowns on 186 carries while also catching 11 passes for 56 yards as a junior. He was named to the Class 5A second team … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Daniel Larmie, Ankeny football
‘I see great things to come’: Hawkettes to rebuild around Ellison, Risk, Steinkamp
The Ankeny volleyball team has been a perennial contender in Class 5A. The Hawkettes advanced to the state tournament last season for the seventh consecutive year. They lost in the quarterfinals to CIML Conference rival Waukee Northwest, which then outlasted Ankeny Centennial in the semifinals before falling to Pleasant Valley in four sets in the Class 5A … [Read more...] about ‘I see great things to come’: Hawkettes to rebuild around Ellison, Risk, Steinkamp
Jaguars are No. 4, Hawkettes No. 9 in Class 5A preseason volleyball rankings
Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are ranked in the top 10 of the Class 5A preseason volleyball rankings from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Jaguars, who will host Indianola in their season opener on Monday, are ranked fourth. The Hawkettes, who will kick off the season by hosting the Ankeny Quadrangular on Tuesday, are ninth. Here is … [Read more...] about Jaguars are No. 4, Hawkettes No. 9 in Class 5A preseason volleyball rankings
Valley shoots 286 to beat Centennial, AHS golfers in triangular meet at Willow Creek
The Valley boys' golf team capitalized on a home-course advantage to win a CIML Conference triangular meet against Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial on Wednesday at Willow Creek. The Tigers posted a 286 total, while Centennial shot a 298 and earned a win over Ankeny, which finished with a score of 312. The Jaguars are now 1-3 in the conference, and the Hawks … [Read more...] about Valley shoots 286 to beat Centennial, AHS golfers in triangular meet at Willow Creek
Centennial golfers place 3rd, Hawks open season with 6th-place finish at Peck Invite
The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf squad placed third in the Jesse Peck Invitational on Monday at Briarwood Golf Club, while defending champion Ankeny finished sixth in the eight-team field. The Jaguars posted a 300 total on their home course. Indianola won the meet with a 294, while Dallas Center-Grimes took second with a 297. "I have so many positive … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers place 3rd, Hawks open season with 6th-place finish at Peck Invite
Iowa Association of Track Coaches’ preseason cross country rankings are out
The preseason cross country rankings have been released by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. Here is the complete top 20 for both the girls and boys in Class 4A: Girls 1. Johnston 2. Pleasant Valley 3. Waukee Northwest 4. Waukee 5. Iowa City High 6. Cedar Falls 7. Dubuque Senior 8. ANKENY 9. Valley 10. Dubuque … [Read more...] about Iowa Association of Track Coaches’ preseason cross country rankings are out
‘This team has a lot of potential’: Ankeny golfers lack experience but not talent
Longtime Ankeny boys' golf coach Mike Weddingfeld faces a major rebuilding task in 2025. Weddingfeld will have to replace several seniors from last year's team, including a trio of standouts in Duncan Beelner, Evan Hodapp and his son, Caden. Those three were stalwarts on the varsity squad over the last few seasons. Beelner tied for 12th in last year's … [Read more...] about ‘This team has a lot of potential’: Ankeny golfers lack experience but not talent
IHSAA announces football schedules for 2025, 2026: Hawks, Jags to play in Week 4
The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced the football schedules for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will play each other in Week 4 both years. Here are the complete schedules for both the Hawks and Jaguars: 2025 Ankeny (Group 3) Aug. 29: Waukee Northwest Sept. 5: at Waukee Sept. 12: Des Moines … [Read more...] about IHSAA announces football schedules for 2025, 2026: Hawks, Jags to play in Week 4
A CHANGE OF PLANS: Ankeny’s Lindaman to join women’s rowing program at Kansas
When Ankeny swimmer Gracie Lindaman committed to join the women's rowing program at Iowa, she thought she'd be spending the next four years of her life in Iowa City. "I loved their staff, had some great connections with some of the other freshmen recruits, and I was familiar with campus," Lindaman said. Everything changed, though, just 24 hours before … [Read more...] about A CHANGE OF PLANS: Ankeny’s Lindaman to join women’s rowing program at Kansas
Ankeny’s Bernholtz to join teammate Hill in Iowa Central’s football recruiting class
Karsten Bernholtz didn't join the Ankeny football team until his senior year. The defensive end made enough of an impact, though, to earn an opportunity to take his skills to the next level. Bernholtz has committed to play next year for Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. He becomes the second Hawk in the Tritons' recruiting class, following … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Bernholtz to join teammate Hill in Iowa Central’s football recruiting class