Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Fall

‘We had a few bad holes that hurt us’: AHS golfers fall to Rams, Dragons at Copper

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Ankeny boys' golf coach Mike Weddingfeld is hoping that his team learned some things on Thursday. The Hawks shot a 320 and placed third in a CIML Conference triangular meet at Copper Creek Golf Course. Southeast Polk posted a 289 total on its home course to win the meet, while Johnston finished with a 304 and came away with a split. Ankeny will play … [Read more...] about ‘We had a few bad holes that hurt us’: AHS golfers fall to Rams, Dragons at Copper

‘The energy of the team was awesome’: Swimmers defeat Valley in home opener

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Despite winning only three of the 12 events, the Ankeny girls' swimming team relied on its depth to defeat Valley, 100-86, in its home opener on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. Ankeny avenged last year's 95-90 loss to the Tigers. "We had a fun home opener!" said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "The energy of the team was awesome. Valley is always … [Read more...] about ‘The energy of the team was awesome’: Swimmers defeat Valley in home opener

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Boyd, Ankeny boys’ golf

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Junior Drew Boyd shot a 73 to lead the Ankeny boys' golf team to a fifth-place finish in the Ankeny Invitational on Wednesday at Otter Creek Golf Course. He tied with five other golfers for ninth place as an individual. Boyd leads the Hawks with a 38.0 average for nine holes. He carded a season-best 72 in the Jesse Peck Invitational on Aug. 19 at … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Boyd, Ankeny boys’ golf

‘I could not be more proud of this team’: Hawkettes claim Shirley Ryan Invite title

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Ankeny volleyball coach Liz Baethke earned her 100th victory with the Hawkettes' program during the Shirley Ryan Invitational on Saturday at Mount Vernon. The milestone was overshadowed, though, by the performance of Baethke's team. Third-ranked Ankeny recorded six consecutive sweeps over rated opponents to capture the tournament title. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about ‘I could not be more proud of this team’: Hawkettes claim Shirley Ryan Invite title

‘I knew what I could do’: Cooper catches 2 TD passes, rallies Hawks past Waukee

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Jamello Cooper didn't see a lot of playing time a year ago as the Ankeny football team relied heavily on senior receivers Andrew Brandhorst and Owen Fischer. Now that Cooper has taken over a starting position, the 5-foot-8, 175-pound junior is making the most of his opportunity. Cooper caught a pair of touchdown passes in the second half as the Hawks … [Read more...] about ‘I knew what I could do’: Cooper catches 2 TD passes, rallies Hawks past Waukee

‘Our girls came prepared’: Jaguars win title in heat, while Ankeny boys place 3rd

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The conditions were brutal for the 58th Kirk Schmaltz Invitational cross country meet on Thursday in Ames. The 90-degree temperatures and high humidity didn't seem to bother the Ankeny Centennial girls' team, though. The top-ranked Jaguars easily won the team title on the Iowa State course with 57 points, finishing 23 points ahead of No. 2 Waukee … [Read more...] about ‘Our girls came prepared’: Jaguars win title in heat, while Ankeny boys place 3rd

Ankeny swimmers dominate Grinnell Quadrangular for second straight year

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team dominated the Grinnell Quadrangular on Thursday for the second year in a row. Ankeny won six events and racked up 405 points, 172 more than runner-up Newton. Grinnell was third with 214 points, followed by Indianola with 118. "We had a good meet!" said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads, whose team is now 3-1 on the season. "It … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers dominate Grinnell Quadrangular for second straight year

‘Every player competed for 18 holes’: Jags place 3rd, Hawks take 5th at Ankeny Invite

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The ceiling for the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team might have to be raised. The Jaguars posted a season-best score of 294 to place third among 11 teams in the Ankeny Invitational on Wednesday at Otter Creek Golf Course. Coach Andrew Reedy's team shot below 300 for the first time in six meets this season. "It was probably the most complete … [Read more...] about ‘Every player competed for 18 holes’: Jags place 3rd, Hawks take 5th at Ankeny Invite

Ellison records 500th career kill as Ankeny sweeps Rams in CIML Conference opener

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There are no remaining unbeaten volleyball teams in the CIML Conference. Third-ranked Ankeny traveled to Pleasant Hill on Tuesday for its league opener and handed unranked Southeast Polk a 25-13, 25-13, 25-21 loss. The Rams had gotten off to a 4-0 start, but those wins came against opponents with a combined record of 5-16. "I'm really proud of how … [Read more...] about Ellison records 500th career kill as Ankeny sweeps Rams in CIML Conference opener

‘We will only get better from here’: Ankeny swimmers drop season opener to Wolves

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team got wins from two of its newcomers during a season-opening dual meet against Waukee Northwest on Tuesday. Holland Villhauer won the 100 butterfly in a time of 1:03.57, while fellow freshman Rowen Hutzell captured the 100 breaststroke in 1:15.32. It wasn't enough, though, as the Wolves posted a 106-80 victory at the Waukee … [Read more...] about ‘We will only get better from here’: Ankeny swimmers drop season opener to Wolves

Centennial golfers place 5th, Hawks finish 8th in 16-team field at Fort Dodge Invite

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team made a lot of progress on Tuesday. Crosstown rival Ankeny, however, seems to be in a rut. The Jaguars placed fifth among 16 teams in the Fort Dodge Invitational. They posted a 301 total on the Fort Dodge Country Club course for the second straight year. "It was a big step in the right direction," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers place 5th, Hawks finish 8th in 16-team field at Fort Dodge Invite

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Dawson Whitinger, Ankeny football

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Senior linebacker and running back Dawson Whitinger helped lead the Ankeny football team to a 28-20 victory at Waukee Northwest in its season opener on Friday. He ran five times for 72 yards, made 5.5 tackles and also had a huge interception as the Hawks avenged last year's loss to the Wolves. Whitinger picked off a pass from Northwest quarterback Mack … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Dawson Whitinger, Ankeny football

‘Our confidence is really growing’: Ankeny girls earn runner-up finish at Jags’ tourney

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Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Early Bird Invitational featured many of the state's top volleyball teams from multiple classes. In the end, the team walking away with the championship was the same one that captured the Class 5A title a year ago and began this season ranked No. 1 among the state's largest schools. Waukee Northwest posted a 25-22, 25-18 … [Read more...] about ‘Our confidence is really growing’: Ankeny girls earn runner-up finish at Jags’ tourney

‘We are excited about the team we have’: Ankeny swimmers set some big goals

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With the bulk of its qualifiers returning from last year's state meet, the Ankeny girls' swimming team enters the 2026 season with some higher expectations. Ankeny placed 27th at the state meet with 17 points after finishing 29th in 2024. Coach Dustin Rhoads' team saw some improvement, but still has a long way to go to again become a top-10 … [Read more...] about ‘We are excited about the team we have’: Ankeny swimmers set some big goals

‘We were hungry for this’: Hawks build big lead, then hold off NW for huge road win

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Even if its starting lineup is drastically different than a year ago, the Ankeny football team still remembers the heartbreak and the seeding side effects of dropping its 2025 season opener at home against Waukee Northwest. The Hawks got their payback during Friday night’s season opener at Northwest. A stout Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘We were hungry for this’: Hawks build big lead, then hold off NW for huge road win

‘It’s a tough golf course’: Jaguars edge Ankeny by 2 shots for 7th place at Legacy

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It appears that there isn't much separation between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' golf teams. The two squads collided on Thursday for the third time in nine days. They again battled down to the wire to a close finish. The Jaguars shot a 327 and placed seventh among 12 teams in the Waukee Northwest Invitational at The Legacy Golf Club in … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a tough golf course’: Jaguars edge Ankeny by 2 shots for 7th place at Legacy

Hawkettes outlast Ankeny Christian in 3 sets after both teams sweep North Polk

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny and Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball teams were both ranked among the top teams in their respective classes coming into the 2026 season. A winner-take-all third set was needed on Tuesday night to decide which of the two squads was going to open its season with a 2-0 record. The Hawkettes pulled out a 15-13 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes outlast Ankeny Christian in 3 sets after both teams sweep North Polk

Hawks edge Centennial golfers by one shot to win triangular meet at Briarwood

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After losing to Ankeny Centennial by four shots in the Jesse Peck Invitational a week ago, the Ankeny boys' golf team got some revenge Wednesday on the same course. The Hawks shot a 313 to edge Centennial by one stroke in a CIML Conference triangular meet at Briarwood Golf Club. Valley finished a distant third with a 328 total. "I was super happy with … [Read more...] about Hawks edge Centennial golfers by one shot to win triangular meet at Briarwood