In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews Cole Netten and JJ Kohl about their selections to the Fanatic all-time Ankeny football team. Kohl also discusses his performance at last week's Under Armour Next All-America Game in Orlando. Ankeny Fanatic sponsor Nick Jarosh of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 208
Fall
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)
For the last 54 years, a lot of young boys have grown up in Ankeny wanting to play football for coach Jerry Pezzetti. Some of those players wanted to follow in the footsteps of their fathers who played for Pezzetti. That was the case for Drew Carlson, a standout linebacker on Ankeny's 2012 state championship team. His father, Luke, starred for Pezzetti … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)
Kohl racks up 62 total yards, helps team to 14-7 win at UA Next All-America Game
Ankeny quarterback JJ Kohl helped Team Phantom to a 14-7 victory over Team Speed in the 2023 Under Armour Next All-America Game on Tuesday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The game was televised on ESPN2. Kohl, an Iowa State recruit, was one of 100 players from across the nation who were selected to participate in the game. He shared the quarterback … [Read more...] about Kohl racks up 62 total yards, helps team to 14-7 win at UA Next All-America Game
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)
When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in March of 2020, Ankeny Fanatic took advantage of the unexpected break from high school sports to publish the first of its many all-time Ankeny teams, recognizing the best boys' basketball players in the community's history. This has since turned into a three-year project. Ankeny Fanatic has now published its … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)
Six Ankeny players, Centennial’s Miller earn all-state honors from IPSWA
Ankeny football stars JJ Kohl, Joe Kingston and Jamison Patton have been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. The trio led the Hawks to a 9-2 record this season. They were all second-team picks a year ago, when … [Read more...] about Six Ankeny players, Centennial’s Miller earn all-state honors from IPSWA
Kohl, Miller, Targgart named to all-district first team for 2nd straight year
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial football teams each had 18 players receive all-district honors, including seven first-team picks and seven second-team selections. Ankeny senior JJ Kohl was named to the first team for the second year in a row. Centennial seniors Brody Targgart and Easton Miller were also repeat first-team picks. Kohl, a quarterback, … [Read more...] about Kohl, Miller, Targgart named to all-district first team for 2nd straight year
From the 515 to the 319: Ankeny distance standout Hill to run for Northern Iowa
Senior Levi Hill helped lead the Ankeny boys' cross country team to its best season in two decades. His success with the Hawks has taken him to Cedar Falls. Hill has verbally committed to join the Northern Iowa men's cross country and track and field programs. One of his former Ankeny track teammates, thrower Jacob Baier, is a sophomore on the … [Read more...] about From the 515 to the 319: Ankeny distance standout Hill to run for Northern Iowa
Six players from Ankeny earn all-state volleyball honors, led by ACA trio
Six players from Ankeny's three schools earned all-state volleyball honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association, while four others received honorable mention. State champion Ankeny Christian Academy led the way with three all-state honorees in Class 1A. Outside hitter Carley Craighead and setter Katie Quick were both named to the first team, while … [Read more...] about Six players from Ankeny earn all-state volleyball honors, led by ACA trio
‘I loved St. Cloud and everything about it’: Ankeny’s Beason to run for Huskies
Ankeny senior Paige Beason is used to running long distances. Now, she'll be attending a college that is nearly 300 miles away from home. Beason has verbally committed to join the St. Cloud State women's track and cross programs next year. "The only thing that made making my decision difficult was being far away from my family, especially my sister … [Read more...] about ‘I loved St. Cloud and everything about it’: Ankeny’s Beason to run for Huskies
ACA quartet, Ankeny foursome, Centennial duo earn all-district honors
The state champion Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team has placed four players on the Class 1A South Central all-district team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Setter Katie Quick and middle hitter Anna Weathers were both selected to the squad along with outside hitters Carley Craighead and Macey Nehring. The four sophomores led the Eagles to … [Read more...] about ACA quartet, Ankeny foursome, Centennial duo earn all-district honors
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’s Lindaman, Centennial’s Cogdill named At Large Coaches of the Year
Ankeny boys' cross country coach Jon Lindaman and Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country coach Eric Cogdill have been named At Large Coaches of the Year by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. The IATC names a State Coach of the Year along with five At Large Coaches of the Year in each class. State champion coaches Tim Ives of the Dowling Catholic boys' … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Lindaman, Centennial’s Cogdill named At Large Coaches of the Year
Ankeny volleyball trio, Centennial’s Pratt named to CIML Conference first team
The Ankeny volleyball team placed three players on the CIML Conference first team and had seven players recognized overall by the coaches in the new nine-team league. Ankeny Centennial, meanwhile, led the second team with three selections and had six players honored altogether. The Hawkettes placed senior setter Jesa Wallace, junior outside hitter … [Read more...] about Ankeny volleyball trio, Centennial’s Pratt named to CIML Conference first team
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
Johnston pulls off upset, prevents Hawks from making 3rd straight trip to Dome
The Class 5A semifinals of the high school football playoffs will feature an all-CIML Final Four, marking the first time since 1972 that eastern Iowa does not have a semifinal representative in the largest class. Unfortunately, third-ranked Ankeny won't be making another trip to the UNI-Dome. The Hawks were denied a third consecutive appearance in the … [Read more...] about Johnston pulls off upset, prevents Hawks from making 3rd straight trip to Dome
Ankeny divers Kolars, Boehlert survive tough regional meet, advance to state
Ankeny divers Hannah Kolars and Lydia Boehlert have both qualified for the state meet. Kolars placed fourth in a regional meet on Thursday at Summit Middle School in Johnston. She posted a score of 449.05 points. Boehlert finished seventh with 415.65 points. Seven of the top 15 state qualifiers competed at the Johnston meet. Abby Tollefson of … [Read more...] about Ankeny divers Kolars, Boehlert survive tough regional meet, advance to state