Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Boys' Cross Country

‘I felt like Wartburg was the best fit for me’: Ankeny’s Poock commits to Knights

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Ankeny distance runner Andrew Poock has committed to Wartburg College. Poock picked the Knights over Central and Simpson. All three schools are members of the NCAA Division III American Rivers Conference. "I looked at Iowa State first, but after looking at Central, Simpson and Wartburg I liked the feel of the smaller schools better," Poock said. "I … [Read more...] about ‘I felt like Wartburg was the best fit for me’: Ankeny’s Poock commits to Knights

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ cross country team

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During his long tenure as the Ankeny boys' cross country coach, Steve Arneson guided dozens of runners to an appearance in the state meet. Ankeny qualified for state for 22 consecutive years from 1990-2011, the third-longest streak in state history. Only Cedar Falls (1992-2016) and Monticello (1997-2019) have had longer streaks. Arneson coached the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ cross country team

Centennial boys place 9th at state, earn highest finish in school history

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Gabriel Vicker had yet to see the results from the boys' Class 4A state cross country meet. But the Ankeny Centennial senior was pretty confident that his team had reached its goal. "Our team's goal was top 10, and we're really hoping we got that," said Vicker. "I saw the guys finish in a pretty close pack that wasn't too far behind me, so we're hoping … [Read more...] about Centennial boys place 9th at state, earn highest finish in school history

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Michael Hayden, Ankeny boys’ cross country

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Junior Michael Hayden is a member of the Ankeny boys' cross country team. Hayden placed seventh with a time of 18 minutes 9 seconds in the CIML Iowa Conference junior varsity race on Oct. 15 at the Iowa State cross country course in Ames. He helped the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the JV division. "Michael has been awesome all year," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Michael Hayden, Ankeny boys’ cross country

Hawkettes advance to state for first time since 2016; Cox also qualifies for Hawks

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The Ankeny girls' cross country team is headed to the state meet for the first time since 2016. The Hawkettes will be joined in Fort Dodge by Cael Cox of the Ankeny boys' squad, who also advanced as an individual with a 15th-place finish in a Class 4A district meet on Wednesday at Marshalltown. However, the Hawks came up three points short of … [Read more...] about Hawkettes advance to state for first time since 2016; Cox also qualifies for Hawks

Jags earn 1st conference title in school history; Ankeny places 3rd behind Cox

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Prior to this season, the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team had never finished higher than fourth at a conference meet. That's why winning the CIML Iowa Conference title was such a huge goal for the Jaguars. Mission accomplished. Eleventh-ranked Centennial placed five runners in the top 10 and easily won the league crown on Thursday at the … [Read more...] about Jags earn 1st conference title in school history; Ankeny places 3rd behind Cox

Cross country assignments: Jags return to C.B., Ankeny back to Marshalltown

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All four of the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial cross country teams appear to be in good position to qualify for this year's state meet. The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association announced the state qualifying meet assignments on Wednesday. For the second straight year, the Ankeny teams will compete at … [Read more...] about Cross country assignments: Jags return to C.B., Ankeny back to Marshalltown

Ankeny Fanatic Preps of the Week: Connor Cunningham and Andrew Poock

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Seniors Connor Cunningham and Andrew Poock are enjoying strong seasons for the Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny boys' cross country teams, respectively. Cunningham, who is ranked 15th in Class 4A, placed 12th in the A Division of the Fort Dodge Invitational on Thursday with a time of 16 minutes 55 seconds. He helped the 11th-ranked Jaguars to a fourth-place … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Preps of the Week: Connor Cunningham and Andrew Poock

McMahon avenges her only loss, while Ankeny boys claim Fort Dodge crown

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Thursday was a good night for Lauren McMahon and the Ankeny girls' cross country team. The Ankeny boys' squad, and both Ankeny Centennial teams, also had some good performances at the Fort Dodge Invitational. The meet consisted of two separate pods so Ankeny's crosstown rivals did not race against each other. The top-ranked McMahon avenged her only … [Read more...] about McMahon avenges her only loss, while Ankeny boys claim Fort Dodge crown

Ankeny cross country teams continue to make progress at S.E. Polk Invitational

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The Ankeny cross country teams took a step forward Thursday as the calendar turned to October. Even senior Lauren McMahon, who suffered her first loss of the season, was happy with her second-place finish at the Southeast Polk Invitational. "I had so much fun at the race tonight," said McMahon, who finished 6 seconds behind Carlisle standout Ainsley … [Read more...] about Ankeny cross country teams continue to make progress at S.E. Polk Invitational

McMahon moves up to No. 1 spot in Class 4A rankings; Vicker No. 3 among boys

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Ankeny's Lauren McMahon and Ankeny Centennial's Gabriel Vicker have yet to lose a cross country race this season. Their dominant performances are reflected in the latest Class 4A individual rankings by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. McMahon, who has won all three of her races in convincing fashion, is now No. 1 in the girls' rankings. "I was … [Read more...] about McMahon moves up to No. 1 spot in Class 4A rankings; Vicker No. 3 among boys

McMahon stays unbeaten, leads Ankeny girls to their first team crown since 2015

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Lauren McMahon was in the seventh grade the last time that the Ankeny girls' cross country team captured an invitational title. On Thursday, the senior led the way as the Hawkettes ended that drought. McMahon raced to her third consecutive victory this season and Ankeny won the B Division of the Rich Engel Classic at Cedar Falls. The Hawkettes earned … [Read more...] about McMahon stays unbeaten, leads Ankeny girls to their first team crown since 2015

Jaguars, Vicker race past Johnston, Yual to win Bobcat Invitational crowns

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Thursday's Bobcat Invitational at Marshalltown Community College provided a huge challenge for the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team. The Jaguars passed with flying colors. After moving up to 11th in the latest Class 4A rankings, Centennial posted its second victory in two weeks by winning the nine-team Red Division with 40 points. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Vicker race past Johnston, Yual to win Bobcat Invitational crowns

Vicker, Jaguars race to easy victories in season opener on DMACC course

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The Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team was 15th in the Class 4A preseason rankings. The Jaguars may have been underrated by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. Centennial opened its season on Thursday with an impressive victory over four other teams at DMACC. The meet was part of the Kirk Schmaltz Invitational that was hosted by Ames. The … [Read more...] about Vicker, Jaguars race to easy victories in season opener on DMACC course

Despite cancellation of track season, Hawk runners are ‘considerably better’

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The cancellation of the track season doesn't appear to have had an adverse effect on the Ankeny boys' cross country team. Ankeny coach Jon Lindaman said his runners continued to work hard even after the COVID-19 outbreak resulted in the elimination of spring sports. "We have had a number of pleasant surprises," said Lindaman. "Even with track season … [Read more...] about Despite cancellation of track season, Hawk runners are ‘considerably better’

While Vicker overcomes illness, Hentzel drops out of 4A race due to injury

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A few weeks ago, Ankeny Centennial's Gabriel Vicker made a friendly wager with Ankeny's Tyler Hentzel on which of the two runners would finish higher at the boys' Class 4A state cross country meet. The winner of the bet would receive some ice cream courtesy of his crosstown rival. Unfortunately, neither of them were at their best during Saturday's race in … [Read more...] about While Vicker overcomes illness, Hentzel drops out of 4A race due to injury

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Christian Rathje, Ankeny boys’ cross country

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Sophomore Christian Rathje is a member of the Ankeny boys' cross country team. Rathje helped the Hawks to a fourth-place finish in a Class 4A district meet on Thursday at Marshalltown. He placed 23rd in a time of 17 minutes 14 seconds. "Rarely do you see a kid go through two seasons and not have a bad race," said Ankeny coach Jon Lindaman. "Christian … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Christian Rathje, Ankeny boys’ cross country

Hentzel places 8th at Marshalltown, earns trip to state cross country meet

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Ankeny senior Tyler Hentzel was hoping to advance to the state cross country meet along with the rest of his team. He'll have to settle for a solo trip. Hentzel qualified for state by placing eighth in a Class 4A district meet on Thursday at Marshalltown. He posted a time of 16 minutes 38 seconds in the 5k race. "I'm really excited," said Hentzel. … [Read more...] about Hentzel places 8th at Marshalltown, earns trip to state cross country meet