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Girls' Cross Country

Ankeny’s McMahon, Centennial girls race to titles at CIML Iowa Conference meet

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Ankeny senior Lauren McMahon raced to a conference title on Thursday. The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team did as well. The fourth-ranked Jaguars overcame McMahon's victory and a strong performance by No. 11 Ankeny to win the CIML Iowa Conference crown at the Iowa State cross country course in Ames. It was the first league title since 2016 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s McMahon, Centennial girls race to titles at CIML Iowa Conference meet

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

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

Preps of the Week: Katie Jensen and Lauren McMahon, girls’ cross country

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Seniors Katie Jensen of Ankeny Centennial and Lauren McMahon of Ankeny are two of the top girls' cross country runners in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. McMahon has won her first two races of the season. She posted a time of 18 minutes 31 seconds in the Bobcat Invitational on Thursday at Marshalltown, where she led the Hawkettes to a seventh-place … [Read more...] about Preps of the Week: Katie Jensen and Lauren McMahon, girls’ cross country

Ankeny’s McMahon wins again, while Jaguars place 3rd at Bobcat Invitational

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The wet conditions didn't slow down the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team on Thursday. They didn't seem to bother Ankeny runner Lauren McMahon, either. McMahon raced to her second straight victory to lead the Hawkettes to a seventh-place finish in the Red Division of the Bobcat Invitational on Thursday at Marshalltown, while Centennial relied … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s McMahon wins again, while Jaguars place 3rd at Bobcat Invitational

‘She’s transformed a little bit’: Former thrower wins her first cross country race

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Ankeny senior Lauren McMahon surprised herself on Thursday at the DMACC cross country course. She surprised her opponents, too. McMahon cruised to an easy victory in her first varsity race, posting a time of 18 minutes 32 seconds on the 5K course. She finished 23 seconds ahead of Valley's Lauren Schulze. "I had no idea what to expect honestly," said … [Read more...] about ‘She’s transformed a little bit’: Former thrower wins her first cross country race

Hawkette runners are ‘social creatures’, but adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions

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The COVID-19 restrictions have created some challenges for the Ankeny girls' cross country team. Coach Eric Klingensmith said the camaraderie between the girls is a unique aspect of the sport--but something that has had to change during the global pandemic. "The practices are coming along smoothly, but the restrictions with our interactions are a bit … [Read more...] about Hawkette runners are ‘social creatures’, but adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions

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

Centennial girls take 2nd at conference meet, while Hawkettes finish 5th

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Kathryn Vortherms and the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team didn't want to focus on next week's state qualifying meet just yet. "We know where we're going (for the regional meet), but we don't know the teams there yet," Vortherms said. "We're not going to look until after conference." Vortherms placed fifth in the CIML Central Conference meet … [Read more...] about Centennial girls take 2nd at conference meet, while Hawkettes finish 5th

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 Prep of the Week: Madeleine Murphy, Ankeny junior

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Junior Madeleine Murphy placed 87th in the Rim Rock Farm Country Classic on Saturday at Lawrence (Kan.), helping the Ankeny girls' cross country team to an 11th-place finish among 38 squads in the Crimson Division. She posted a time of 21 minutes 46 seconds in the 5k race. Murphy is also a starting outfielder on the Ankeny softball team. She batted .345 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Madeleine Murphy, Ankeny junior

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

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cierra Fillinger, Ankeny girls’ cross country

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Senior Cierra Fillinger is a member of the Ankeny girls' cross country team. Fillinger placed eighth in the junior varsity race at the Ames Invitational on Sept. 5 with a time of 23 minutes 25 seconds. That allowed her to earn a varsity spot for the Rich Engel Classic on Thursday at Cedar Falls. "Cierra brings a constant positive influence to our … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Cierra Fillinger, Ankeny girls’ cross country