Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Fall

‘We will only get better from here’: Ankeny swimmers drop season opener to Wolves

by

The Ankeny girls' swimming team got wins from two of its newcomers during a season-opening dual meet against Waukee Northwest on Tuesday. Holland Villhauer won the 100 butterfly in a time of 1:03.57, while fellow freshman Rowen Hutzell captured the 100 breaststroke in 1:15.32. It wasn't enough, though, as the Wolves posted a 106-80 victory at the Waukee … [Read more...] about ‘We will only get better from here’: Ankeny swimmers drop season opener to Wolves

Centennial golfers place 5th, Hawks finish 8th in 16-team field at Fort Dodge Invite

by

The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team made a lot of progress on Tuesday. Crosstown rival Ankeny, however, seems to be in a rut. The Jaguars placed fifth among 16 teams in the Fort Dodge Invitational. They posted a 301 total on the Fort Dodge Country Club course for the second straight year. "It was a big step in the right direction," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers place 5th, Hawks finish 8th in 16-team field at Fort Dodge Invite

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Dawson Whitinger, Ankeny football

by

Senior linebacker and running back Dawson Whitinger helped lead the Ankeny football team to a 28-20 victory at Waukee Northwest in its season opener on Friday. He ran five times for 72 yards, made 5.5 tackles and also had a huge interception as the Hawks avenged last year's loss to the Wolves. Whitinger picked off a pass from Northwest quarterback Mack … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Dawson Whitinger, Ankeny football

‘Our confidence is really growing’: Ankeny girls earn runner-up finish at Jags’ tourney

by

Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Early Bird Invitational featured many of the state's top volleyball teams from multiple classes. In the end, the team walking away with the championship was the same one that captured the Class 5A title a year ago and began this season ranked No. 1 among the state's largest schools. Waukee Northwest posted a 25-22, 25-18 … [Read more...] about ‘Our confidence is really growing’: Ankeny girls earn runner-up finish at Jags’ tourney

‘We are excited about the team we have’: Ankeny swimmers set some big goals

by

With the bulk of its qualifiers returning from last year's state meet, the Ankeny girls' swimming team enters the 2026 season with some higher expectations. Ankeny placed 27th at the state meet with 17 points after finishing 29th in 2024. Coach Dustin Rhoads' team saw some improvement, but still has a long way to go to again become a top-10 … [Read more...] about ‘We are excited about the team we have’: Ankeny swimmers set some big goals

‘We were hungry for this’: Hawks build big lead, then hold off NW for huge road win

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Even if its starting lineup is drastically different than a year ago, the Ankeny football team still remembers the heartbreak and the seeding side effects of dropping its 2025 season opener at home against Waukee Northwest. The Hawks got their payback during Friday night’s season opener at Northwest. A stout Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘We were hungry for this’: Hawks build big lead, then hold off NW for huge road win

‘It’s a tough golf course’: Jaguars edge Ankeny by 2 shots for 7th place at Legacy

by

It appears that there isn't much separation between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' golf teams. The two squads collided on Thursday for the third time in nine days. They again battled down to the wire to a close finish. The Jaguars shot a 327 and placed seventh among 12 teams in the Waukee Northwest Invitational at The Legacy Golf Club in … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a tough golf course’: Jaguars edge Ankeny by 2 shots for 7th place at Legacy

Hawkettes outlast Ankeny Christian in 3 sets after both teams sweep North Polk

by

(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny and Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball teams were both ranked among the top teams in their respective classes coming into the 2026 season. A winner-take-all third set was needed on Tuesday night to decide which of the two squads was going to open its season with a 2-0 record. The Hawkettes pulled out a 15-13 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes outlast Ankeny Christian in 3 sets after both teams sweep North Polk

Hawks edge Centennial golfers by one shot to win triangular meet at Briarwood

by

After losing to Ankeny Centennial by four shots in the Jesse Peck Invitational a week ago, the Ankeny boys' golf team got some revenge Wednesday on the same course. The Hawks shot a 313 to edge Centennial by one stroke in a CIML Conference triangular meet at Briarwood Golf Club. Valley finished a distant third with a 328 total. "I was super happy with … [Read more...] about Hawks edge Centennial golfers by one shot to win triangular meet at Briarwood

Centennial’s Alvarez, Ankeny’s Brown race to victories at Jaguar Early Bird Invite

by

Jax Alvarez of Ankeny Centennial and Gus Brown of Ankeny didn't put much pressure on themselves heading into Tuesday's season-opening cross country meet. The duo responded with a pair of boys' victories in the Jaguar Early Bird Invitational at DMACC. Alvarez, a senior, pulled away from the field to win the 11/12 race in a time of 15 minutes 53 seconds. … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Alvarez, Ankeny’s Brown race to victories at Jaguar Early Bird Invite

‘My team did really well’: Centennial girls edge No. 1 Wolves to win Jaguar Invite

by

A showdown between the top two girls' cross country teams in Class 4A lived up to the hype. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial opened its season on Tuesday by edging No. 1 Waukee Northwest to win the Jaguar Early Bird Invitational at DMACC. The Jaguars scored 41 points when the results of the two races were merged, while Northwest--the defending state … [Read more...] about ‘My team did really well’: Centennial girls edge No. 1 Wolves to win Jaguar Invite

Ankeny football team reloads around 4 returning starters, influx of transfers

by

On paper, the Ankeny football team appeared to be facing a rebuilding season after suffering heavy losses to graduation last spring. Ankeny coach Jeff Bauer is hoping that isn't the case. "We only have four starters back, so there's not a lot of people thinking we are going to be all that," said Bauer. "But there's a lot of young talent on this team … [Read more...] about Ankeny football team reloads around 4 returning starters, influx of transfers

No. 3 Hawkettes return pair of all-staters, several other key players from 28-9 team

by

Coming off a semifinal appearance in the Class 5A state tournament, the Ankeny volleyball team appears to be primed for another deep postseason run in 2026. The Hawkettes return a pair of all-staters and some other key players from a team that posted a 28-9 record a year ago. "The practices have been real productive," said Ankeny coach Liz Baethke, … [Read more...] about No. 3 Hawkettes return pair of all-staters, several other key players from 28-9 team

‘Our goals remain the same’: Hawks have high aspirations despite young squad

by

For the second year in a row, the Ankeny boys' cross country team will have to rebuild after losing its top runner to graduation. Isaiah Smith qualified for last year's Class 4A state meet as an individual and placed 27th in a time of 16:01.5. He was a four-time state qualifier who earned a spot on the awards podium as a sophomore in 2023, when he took … [Read more...] about ‘Our goals remain the same’: Hawks have high aspirations despite young squad

MIDDLE OF THE PACK: Jaguars place 6th, Hawks finish 7th at Jesse Peck Invitational

by

The Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny boys' golf teams finished in the middle of the pack at the Jesse Peck Invitational on Wednesday. Playing on their home course at Briarwood Golf Club, the Jaguars placed sixth in the 12-team field with a 306 total. The top five teams all broke 300, including three squads that finished under par. "We had four triple … [Read more...] about MIDDLE OF THE PACK: Jaguars place 6th, Hawks finish 7th at Jesse Peck Invitational

Ankeny is No. 3, Centennial No. 10 in Class 5A rankings; ACA is No. 4 in Class 1A

by

The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced its preseason volleyball rankings on Wednesday. Ankeny is No. 3 in Class 5A behind defending state champion Waukee Northwest and Iowa City West. Ankeny Centennial is No. 10. In Class 1A, Ankeny Christian Academy is No. 4. The Eagles are ranked behind defending state runner-up Janesville, Wapsie … [Read more...] about Ankeny is No. 3, Centennial No. 10 in Class 5A rankings; ACA is No. 4 in Class 1A

‘There’s a lot of excitement and energy’: Hawkettes get fresh start under Einertson

by

The new head coach of the Ankeny girls' cross country team is already familiar with many of his runners. Josh Eintertson, an assistant coach for the Ankeny girls' track squad, has taken over the Hawkettes' program. He replaces TJ Jumper, who resigned in May after accepting a new job as the Director of Great Oaks High School in Des Moines. Jumper … [Read more...] about ‘There’s a lot of excitement and energy’: Hawkettes get fresh start under Einertson

‘This year is definitely a first for me’: Hawk golfers enter season with untested lineup

by

A lot of new faces will be in the lineup when the Ankeny boys' golf team opens its season on Thursday. The Hawks will host a CIML Conference triangular meet against Urbandale and Waukee Northwest at Otter Creek. The action gets under way at 9 a.m. Ankeny posted a 2-6 record in the conference last year that included a two-stroke win over Urbandale and a … [Read more...] about ‘This year is definitely a first for me’: Hawk golfers enter season with untested lineup

Hawkettes, Jaguars close out epic Drake Relays with huge day on historic blue oval

by

It seems only appropriate that both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial track teams were involved in the final girls' high school event at this year's Drake Relays. The Hawkettes and Jaguars had been lighting up the blue oval all weekend. Ankeny closed out a spectacular three-day meet by placing second in the 4x400 relay on Saturday. The foursome of … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars close out epic Drake Relays with huge day on historic blue oval