Ankeny Fanatic

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Boys' Cross Country

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

Jaguars, Hawks run well in final tune-up before next week’s district meets

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Thursday's CIML Central Conference meet provided one last tune-up before next week's district meet for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country teams. The Jaguars placed fifth in the six-team field at DMACC with 117 points. They finished 12 points behind 11th-ranked Urbandale, one of the teams they'll compete against at the Council Bluffs … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawks run well in final tune-up before next week’s district meets

Centennial, Ankeny boys finish 1-2 at Atlantic Invite; Girls’ teams also shine

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial cross country teams badly needed to find a race after Thursday's Fort Dodge Invitational was cancelled due to bad weather. Fortunately, they were able to quickly find one. All four squads competed in the Atlantic Invitational on Saturday. The meet was contested in cold and windy conditions on a muddy course. "With … [Read more...] about Centennial, Ankeny boys finish 1-2 at Atlantic Invite; Girls’ teams also shine

Hawks place 8th, Hawkettes finish 9th at muddy S.E. Polk Invitational

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Thursday's Southeast Polk Invitational cross country meet was held despite wet conditions and cool temperatures. The muddy course forced the cancellation of the junior varsity races, but each varsity team was allowed to enter up to 10 runners. The Ankeny boys' squad placed eighth in the 14-team field with 200 points. The Ankeny girls' team finished ninth … [Read more...] about Hawks place 8th, Hawkettes finish 9th at muddy S.E. Polk Invitational

Ankeny teams turn in solid performances at Rim Rock Farm Country Classic

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A long trip to Lawrence, Kan., proved to be beneficial for the Ankeny cross country teams. Both the boys' and girls' squads competed in the Rim Rock Farm Country Classic on Saturday at the University of Kansas. Ankeny was one of 45 boys' teams participating in the Crimson Division, while the Hawkettes were among the 38 girls' squads in the field. "Our … [Read more...] about Ankeny teams turn in solid performances at Rim Rock Farm Country Classic

Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Tyler Hentzel and Gabriel Vicker

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Senior Tyler Hentzel of Ankeny and junior Gabriel Vicker of Ankeny Centennial are the top runners for their respective boys' cross country teams. Vicker won the Tom Karpen Invitational on Tuesday at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School in a time of 16 minutes 49 seconds. He led the 15th-ranked Jaguars to a third-place finish in the 13-team … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Preps of the Week: Tyler Hentzel and Gabriel Vicker

Hawks place 9th, Hawkettes finish 11th in strong fields at Rich Engel Classic

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The Ankeny cross country teams both finished in the middle of the pack in the Rich Engel Classic on Thursday at Birdsall Park in Cedar Falls. The Ankeny boys' squad placed ninth in the 21-team field. The Hawks finished with 206 points. "It was a very competitive field," said Ankeny boys' coach Jon Lindaman. "With all the rain that has fallen, we were … [Read more...] about Hawks place 9th, Hawkettes finish 11th in strong fields at Rich Engel Classic

Vicker pulls away for victory, leads Centennial boys to 3rd-place finish

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Ankeny Centennial's Gabriel Vicker waited patiently to make his move during the Tom Karpen Invitational cross country meet on Tuesday. The strategy paid off in a big way. Vicker pulled away in the final mile to win the boys' 5k race at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School in a time of 16:49. He finished 3 seconds ahead of runner-up Drake Hanson of … [Read more...] about Vicker pulls away for victory, leads Centennial boys to 3rd-place finish

Hawks have ‘right attitude to be great’ despite heavy losses to graduation

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Opponents of the Ankeny boys' cross country team might be expecting the Hawks to take a big step backwards this season. That could be a mistake. Ankeny coach Jon Lindaman said his team has had a great summer of training and is ready to open the season on Tuesday at the Ankeny Centennial Invitational. "I always say that summer is really the first … [Read more...] about Hawks have ‘right attitude to be great’ despite heavy losses to graduation

Sindt repeats as Gatorade Iowa boys’ cross country runner of the year

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Two-time state cross country champion Tim Sindt of Ankeny High School has been named the Gatorade Iowa boys' cross country runner of the year for the second straight season. Sindt won the Class 4A title last fall with a time of 15 minutes 36 seconds, leading the Hawks to a fifth-place finish. He also set a state record at the Ankeny Invitational with his … [Read more...] about Sindt repeats as Gatorade Iowa boys’ cross country runner of the year

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Andrew Poock, Ankeny boys’ cross country

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Sophomore Andrew Poock of the Ankeny boys' cross country team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Poock helped Ankeny to a fifth-place finish in the Class 4A state meet on Oct. 27 at Fort Dodge. It was the Hawks' highest finish since 2005. Poock placed 110th in the 5k race. He posted a time of 18 minutes 9 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Andrew Poock, Ankeny boys’ cross country

Sindt chooses Iowa State over Arkansas, Oregon and Drake

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Like most high school athletes these days, Ankeny runner Tim Sindt announced his college choice Monday through social media. "Extremely excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic, track, and cross country career at Iowa State University next fall! Go Cyclones," Sindt tweeted. Sindt won his second consecutive Class 4A state cross country … [Read more...] about Sindt chooses Iowa State over Arkansas, Oregon and Drake

Lindaman named Class 4A At Large Coach of the Year

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Ankeny boys' cross country coach Jon Lindaman has been named a Class 4A At Large Coach of the Year by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. Lindaman guided Ankeny to a fifth-place finish in the Class 4A state meet on Oct. 27 at Fort Dodge. It was the Hawks' highest finish since 2005. Lindaman also played a key role in the development of senior Tim … [Read more...] about Lindaman named Class 4A At Large Coach of the Year

Sindt overcame hip injury to complete his undefeated season

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It turns out Ankeny runner Tim Sindt wasn't fully healthy when he defended his state cross country title on Oct. 27 at Fort Dodge. Sindt, who won the boys' Class 4A race in a time of 15 minutes 36 seconds, battled an injury for the last month of the season. "I was doing a hill workout at the Southeast Polk meet (on Sept. 27) when we sat our varsity, … [Read more...] about Sindt overcame hip injury to complete his undefeated season