Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Boys' Cross Country

‘It’s the greatest feeling ever’: Zuber wins 2nd title, leads Hawks to 8th-place finish

by

Ankeny's Ethan Zuber raised his arms in triumph as he crossed the finish line on Friday. The senior pulled away in the final half mile to defend his boys' Class 4A state cross country title at Fort Dodge. He posted a time of 15:01.2 in the 5K race. "It's the greatest feeling ever to come across with that win," said Zuber. "I'm very excited to see how … [Read more...] about ‘It’s the greatest feeling ever’: Zuber wins 2nd title, leads Hawks to 8th-place finish

Zuber leads Hawks to district crown; Hawkettes also qualify for state meet

by

The Ankeny cross country teams extended their streaks of consecutive state-meet appearances on Wednesday. The boys' squad won a Class 4A district meet at Southeast Polk to earn their fourth straight trip to state. The ninth-ranked Hawks scored 48 points, while No. 14 Indianola (69 points) and No. 11 Johnston (78 points) also advanced to … [Read more...] about Zuber leads Hawks to district crown; Hawkettes also qualify for state meet

‘I really wanted to focus on the hills’: Zuber wins his 2nd straight CIML crown

by

Check off another box for Ankeny runner Ethan Zuber. The senior easily defended his boys' title in the CIML Conference cross country meet on Wednesday, covering the 5K course at Southeast Polk in a time of 15 minutes 30.6 seconds. He finished about 11 seconds ahead of the Dowling Catholic duo of Owen Wolfe and Jack Flori. "That was the focus for me," … [Read more...] about ‘I really wanted to focus on the hills’: Zuber wins his 2nd straight CIML crown

SQM assignments: Ankeny to compete at S.E. Polk, while Jags head to Marshalltown

by

The cross country state qualifying meet assignments have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The Ankeny boys' and girls' teams have been assigned to the Southeast Polk site. Johnston, Southeast Polk and Urbandale will be among the teams in the field. The Ankeny Centennial boys' and … [Read more...] about SQM assignments: Ankeny to compete at S.E. Polk, while Jags head to Marshalltown

Centennial boys finish ahead of Hawks at Fort Dodge despite another win by Zuber

by

For the second time this season, the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team defeated its crosstown rival. The 13th-ranked Jaguars placed fourth among 28 teams in the Fort Dodge Invitational on Thursday with 184 points. No. 5 Ankeny took fifth with 205 points. It was the first meeting between the two teams since the Kirk Schmaltz Invitational on … [Read more...] about Centennial boys finish ahead of Hawks at Fort Dodge despite another win by Zuber

‘I felt really good’: Kiene places 14th in her 2nd race, helps Ankeny finish 4th at SEP

by

Ainsley Kiene appears to be rounding into shape just in time for the Ankeny girls' cross country team. Competing in just her second race of the season, Kiene placed 14th in the Southeast Polk Invitational on Thursday. The junior posted a time of 20 minutes 18 seconds to help the ninth-ranked Hawkettes to a fourth-place finish in the 11-team … [Read more...] about ‘I felt really good’: Kiene places 14th in her 2nd race, helps Ankeny finish 4th at SEP

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ethan Zuber, Ankeny boys’ cross country

by

Senior Ethan Zuber led the sixth-ranked Ankeny boys' cross country team to a runner-up finish in the Eastern Iowa Classic on Thursday at the Seminole Valley Park cross country course in Cedar Rapids. The Hawks posted a total of 72 points, finishing six points behind No. 8 Iowa City High. Zuber, the defending Class 4A state champion, pulled away from the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ethan Zuber, Ankeny boys’ cross country

Zuber earns 10th career win, leads Hawks to 2nd-place finish at Eastern Iowa Classic

by

The Ankeny boys' cross country team raced to a second-place finish in the Eastern Iowa Classic on Thursday at the Seminole Valley Park cross country course in Cedar Rapids. The sixth-ranked Hawks placed four runners in the top 20 and finished with 72 points. No. 8 Iowa City High won the team title with 66 points. No. 5 Norwalk placed third in the … [Read more...] about Zuber earns 10th career win, leads Hawks to 2nd-place finish at Eastern Iowa Classic

Ankeny boys place 14th, Hawkettes finish 18th at prestigious Roy Griak Invitational

by

Friday's Roy Griak Invitational at St. Paul, Minn., provided an opportunity for the Ankeny cross country teams to compete in one of the premier races in the Midwest. More than 40 teams participated in both the boys' and girls' championship divisions, attracting schools from multiple states. Each race had a field of more than 400 runners. "It was our … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys place 14th, Hawkettes finish 18th at prestigious Roy Griak Invitational

‘We’ve made a lot of progress’: Jags edge Valley to win 3rd straight Karpen crown

by

Tuesday's Tom Karpen Invitational at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School featured only four teams in the girls' varsity division. It turned into somewhat of a dual meet between third-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 7 Valley. Both squads placed seven runners among the top 17 finishers, resulting in a tight battle. In the end, the Jaguars edged … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve made a lot of progress’: Jags edge Valley to win 3rd straight Karpen crown

‘He was better today’: Cedar Falls’ Merrick edges Zuber in state’s fastest race ever

by

Ankeny boys' coach Jon Lindaman called it maybe the greatest cross country showdown the state of Iowa has ever seen. Anybody who was there in Marshalltown on Thursday likely wouldn't disagree. In a matchup of the top two finishers at last year's Class 4A state meet, defending champion Ethan Zuber of Ankeny led the entire way in the Bobcat Invitational … [Read more...] about ‘He was better today’: Cedar Falls’ Merrick edges Zuber in state’s fastest race ever

Zuber races to season-opening victory, while Jaguars earn runner-up finish

by

Ankeny's Ethan Zuber made a strong statement in his first cross country race of the season. The Ankeny Centennial boys' team also made a huge impression. Zuber, the defending Class 4A state champion, raced to a victory in the Kirk Schmaltz Invitational on Thursday at the Iowa State cross country course in Ames. He posted a time of 14 minutes 56.5 … [Read more...] about Zuber races to season-opening victory, while Jaguars earn runner-up finish

‘I love this team’: Defending state champ Zuber, Hawks seek another podium finish

by

Although the Ankeny boys' cross country team is third in the Class 4A preseason rankings by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches, the Hawks might be the team to beat on paper. Ankeny returns four of its top seven runners from last year's squad that earned a second consecutive third-place finish in Class 4A, led by defending state champion Ethan Zuber. … [Read more...] about ‘I love this team’: Defending state champ Zuber, Hawks seek another podium finish

Ankeny’s Zuber named Iowa’s Gatorade cross country runner of the year

by

Ankeny junior Ethan Zuber has been named Iowa's Gatorade cross country runner of the year. Zuber won the Class 4A state title last fall, posting a time of 15 minutes 7.7 seconds on the 5k course at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. He pulled away from Jaden Merrick of Cedar Falls in the final mile to win the race by about 6 seconds. Zuber had lost to … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Zuber named Iowa’s Gatorade cross country runner of the year

‘I felt like that’s where I belonged’: Squires to run for Dordt University

by

Ankeny senior Abel Squires will be taking his talents to Sioux Center. The boys' cross country and track standout announced his commitment to Dordt University on Monday. "I've been thinking and praying a lot about this decision and Dordt is where I feel God is leading me for the next step of my academic, spiritual and athletic journey," Squires tweeted … [Read more...] about ‘I felt like that’s where I belonged’: Squires to run for Dordt University

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

by

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

‘We are peaking at the right time’: Hawks claim district crown, but aren’t satisfied

by

The Ankeny boys' cross country team showed on Wednesday that it's a threat to win the Class 4A state championship. On Oct. 27 at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge, the Hawks will have a chance to prove that they're the state's best team.Fourth-ranked Ankeny easily captured a district title at the Iowa State cross country course in Ames. While scoring 26 … [Read more...] about ‘We are peaking at the right time’: Hawks claim district crown, but aren’t satisfied

Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Brendan Owens and Abel Squires

by

Seniors Brendan Owens of Ankeny Centennial and Abel Squires of Ankeny are both key members of their respective boys' cross country squads. Squires placed 50th with a time of 17 minutes 1 second in the CIML Conference meet on Wednesday at DMACC. He helped the fourth-ranked Hawks to a two-point victory over No. 1 Dowling Catholic to capture the league … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Brendan Owens and Abel Squires