The biggest win of the season for the Ankeny girls' swimming team came on its Senior Night. Seventh-ranked Ankeny won eight of the 12 events, including all three relays, and posted a 95-91 victory over No. 4 Johnston in a CIML Conference dual meet on Tuesday at Trail Point Aquatics Center. It was the first conference win for the Hawkettes, who improved … [Read more...] about ‘There’s something magical about Senior Night’: Ankeny swimmers edge Dragons
Girls' Swimming
Cedar Falls wins 3 close races against Ankeny swimmers, posts 96-90 victory
It's been a tough week for the Ankeny girls' swimming team. After dropping a 105-81 decision at fourth-ranked Valley on Tuesday, No. 7 Ankeny was back on the road Thursday to face another top-10 opponent. This time, the Hawkettes suffered a 96-90 loss in a non-conference meet at No. 9 Cedar Falls. Ankeny's overall record fell to 3-4 heading into a long … [Read more...] about Cedar Falls wins 3 close races against Ankeny swimmers, posts 96-90 victory
‘We just couldn’t win any races’: Ankeny swimmers drop 105-81 decision at Valley
The Ankeny girls' swimming team just couldn't get over the hump. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes lost several close races on Tuesday and dropped a 105-81 decision at No. 4 Valley in a CIML Conference dual meet. The Tigers captured every event, including a sweep of the top three places in the diving competition. Valley won five of the swimming events by … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t win any races’: Ankeny swimmers drop 105-81 decision at Valley
Ankeny swimmers edge Pleasant Valley for 2nd place at Little Hawk Invitational
The Ankeny girls' swimming team won two events and placed second overall in the Little Hawk Invitational on Saturday at Mercer Park Aquatic Center in Iowa City. Iowa City West won the team title with 435.5 points. Ankeny finished with 349.5 points, edging Pleasant Valley (348) and Waukee (341) for the runner-up spot in the six-team field. "We had a … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers edge Pleasant Valley for 2nd place at Little Hawk Invitational
Revive Prep of the Week: Anja Peck, Ankeny girls’ swimming/ACHS girls’ XC
Senior Anja Peck has helped the seventh-ranked Ankeny girls' swimming team to a 3-2 dual record. She is currently ranked ninth in the state in the 200 individual medley and 11th in the 100 breaststroke. Peck is also a key member of the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country squad. She is a three-time state qualifier in that sport. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Prep of the Week: Anja Peck, Ankeny girls’ swimming/ACHS girls’ XC
‘This was our best meet’: Ankeny tankers make progress in 125-61 loss to Dowling
The final score of Tuesday's dual meet at Trail Point Aquatics Center was deceiving. Even though the Dowling Catholic girls' swimming team posted a 125-61 victory over host Ankeny, coach Dustin Rhoads was happy with his team's performance. "This was our best meet as a whole so far," said Rhoads. "I am pleased with how we raced, and the times we put up … [Read more...] about ‘This was our best meet’: Ankeny tankers make progress in 125-61 loss to Dowling
‘A lot of people had to step up’: Ankeny swimmers hold on for win at Newton
The Ankeny girls' swimming team won the final event, the 400 freestyle relay, to hold on for an 87-83 victory at Newton in a non-conference dual meet on Thursday. Ankeny raised its overall record to 3-1 on the season. "It was an interesting meet," said Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "We were kind of sluggish from the start. It was a short-course meters … [Read more...] about ‘A lot of people had to step up’: Ankeny swimmers hold on for win at Newton
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 230
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the start of the girls' swimming season with first-year Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads and senior Josie Parton. Coldwell Banker realtor Tiffany Rumelhart also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 230
‘This is humbling’: 2-time defending champs spoil Ankeny’s home opener
If the Ankeny girls' swimming team needed a measuring stick for its progress, Tuesday's opponent provided just what the squad needed. Waukee, the two-time defending state champion, won 11 of the 12 events and defeated host Ankeny, 134-52, in the CIML Conference opener for both teams at Trail Point Aquatics Center. “It was a fun night hosting No. 1 … [Read more...] about ‘This is humbling’: 2-time defending champs spoil Ankeny’s home opener
Ankeny swimmers roll past Roosevelt, Mason City while setting 8 pool records
The Ankeny girls' swimming team opened its season on Tuesday with a pair of lopsided victories in Mason City. Competing in a non-conference double dual meet, Ankeny rolled to a 140-28 win over Des Moines Roosevelt and a 126-42 triumph over Mason City. "It was a great way to start our season!" said first-year Ankeny coach Dustin Rhoads. "Picking up two … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers roll past Roosevelt, Mason City while setting 8 pool records
‘I think we are going to surprise people’: Ankeny swimmers seek top-5 finish
The Ankeny girls' swimming team won't open its season until later this month, but the squad is already putting in a lot of hard work under first-year coach Dustin Rhoads. There are 46 girls on the roster, including several returning state qualifiers. "The practices are off to a great start!" Rhoads said. "We went right into two-a-day practices from the … [Read more...] about ‘I think we are going to surprise people’: Ankeny swimmers seek top-5 finish
After 3 years at Luther, Rhoads returns to Ankeny to take over swimming programs
Former Ankeny assistant boys' coach Dustin Rhoads has been named the head coach of the Ankeny boys' and girls' swimming programs. Rhoads was the associate head coach at Luther College for the last three years, helping both the men's and women's programs to American Rivers Conference championships in 2021-23. "I've had a great time at Luther," Rhoads … [Read more...] about After 3 years at Luther, Rhoads returns to Ankeny to take over swimming programs
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 220
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews Justin Crouch about his decision to resign as the Ankeny boys' and girls' swimming coach and discusses the girls' soccer season with coach Chris Allen and senior midfielder Alanna Pennington of Ankeny Centennial. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 220
Ankeny swimmer Walker awarded Chancellor Scholarship from SIU
Ankeny swimmer Caroline Walker verbally committed to Southern Illinois University last fall. She now knows that her college tuition will be completely covered. "I just found out that I was awarded the Chancellor Scholarship, earning me a four-year, $104,000 full ride," Walker said. Walker was an 11-time state qualifier and a nine-time placewinner in … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmer Walker awarded Chancellor Scholarship from SIU
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Rachel Rolow, Ankeny girls’ swimming
Senior Rachel Rolow helped the Ankeny girls' swimming team to a ninth consecutive top-10 finish in the state meet on Friday and Saturday at the Marshalltown YMCA. The Hawkettes finished in a tie for seventh place with 108 points. Rolow placed sixth in the 100 backstroke with a time of 58.59 seconds and took 11th in the 200 individual medley in 2:10.54. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Rachel Rolow, Ankeny girls’ swimming
Hawkettes reach podium in 4 events, finish in tie for 7th place at state meet
The goal for the Ankeny girls' swimming team was to get on the podium in multiple events during the state meet on Saturday at the Marshalltown YMCA. The Hawkettes accomplished their goal. Ankeny earned a top-six finish in four different events and tied for seventh place overall with Cedar Falls with 108 points. The Hawkettes placed among the top 10 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes reach podium in 4 events, finish in tie for 7th place at state meet
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Anja Peck, Ankeny Centennial junior
After helping the Jaguars to a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state cross country meet, the two-sport fall athlete has now qualified for the "A" final in both of her individual events at the girls' state swimming meet. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Anja Peck, Ankeny Centennial junior
‘We have a lot of opportunities to score points’: AHS advances 4 girls in 7 events
Four Ankeny swimmers qualified for the finals in a total of seven different events during the preliminaries of the girls' state meet on Friday at the Marshalltown YMCA. Anja Peck, Rachel Rolow and Caroline Walker each qualified in a pair of events. Gracie Lindaman qualified in the 50 freestyle and just missed qualifying in the 100 freestyle. "It was a … [Read more...] about ‘We have a lot of opportunities to score points’: AHS advances 4 girls in 7 events
With a chip on their shoulder, Hawkettes seek another top-10 finish at state
The Ankeny girls' swimming team is seeking a ninth consecutive top-10 finish at the state meet. It won't be easy, however, as the sixth-ranked Hawkettes are projected to finish in 11th place based on where their qualifiers would finish according to their seedings. The state meet will be held on Friday and Saturday at the Marshalltown YMCA, beginning with … [Read more...] about With a chip on their shoulder, Hawkettes seek another top-10 finish at state
Ankeny swimmers place 2nd at regional meet, qualify for state in every event
The Ankeny girls' swimming team has qualified for the state meet in every event. The Hawkettes placed second in a regional meet on Saturday at Summit Middle School in Johnston. The host Dragons won the 10-team meet with 492 points, finishing 47 points ahead of Ankeny. "We had a lot of good swims," said Ankeny coach Justin Crouch. "I was really proud of … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers place 2nd at regional meet, qualify for state in every event