Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Fall

Hawks roll past Centennial, Urbandale; set school record on home course

by

A little rain didn't bother the Ankeny boys' golf team on Monday at Otter Creek. In fact, it might have helped the Hawks. Ankeny took advantage of the favorable conditions to shoot an even-par 284 in a CIML Conference triangular meet against Ankeny Centennial and Urbandale, easily defeating both opponents. The Hawks set an 18-hole school record on … [Read more...] about Hawks roll past Centennial, Urbandale; set school record on home course

Hawkettes, Jaguars reach quarterfinals of Centennial Invite before falling

by

Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Invitational was like a mini-state tournament, featuring many of Iowa's best volleyball squads in the 16-team field. Fifth-ranked Ankeny and No. 11 Centennial both had some moments of spectacular play. In the end, though, the Hawkettes and Jaguars were both eliminated in the quarterfinals of the championship bracket. Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars reach quarterfinals of Centennial Invite before falling

‘I felt comfortable–like I was meant to be there’: Wallace to play for William Jewell

by

Ankeny volleyball standout Jesa Wallace has verbally committed to play for William Jewell College, an NCAA Division II school in Liberty, Mo. Wallace, a senior setter, has helped the fifth-ranked Hawkettes to a 7-1 record. She said it was not an easy decision. "It's hard to make when it comes to where you plan on spending your next four years," Wallace … [Read more...] about ‘I felt comfortable–like I was meant to be there’: Wallace to play for William Jewell

After sluggish start, Hawks roll past Waukee behind Williams’ 3 2nd-half TDs

by

Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson didn't know what his team was doing during the first half of Friday's season opener at Waukee. The Hawks were intercepted three times before the half and went to the locker room trailing, 7-0. "We did some really extreme things," said Nelson. "I'll have to watch the film. I don't know sometimes what we were doing. I'm … [Read more...] about After sluggish start, Hawks roll past Waukee behind Williams’ 3 2nd-half TDs

Jaguars win 9/10 title at Centennial Invite; Ankeny captures 11/12 crown

by

Thursday's season-opening Ankeny Centennial Invitational featured three of the top 10 girls' cross country teams in Class 4A. Sixth-ranked Ankeny won the 11/12 division with 44 points, while No. 7 Centennial captured the 9/10 division with 27 points. No. 9 Valley took second in both divisions and won the overall title with 40 points, edging the Jaguars by … [Read more...] about Jaguars win 9/10 title at Centennial Invite; Ankeny captures 11/12 crown

Led by Kohl, No. 1 Hawks look to contend for 2nd state title in 3 years

by

There's been a lot of hype surrounding the Ankeny football team the last couple of seasons. It might be time to take the hype up another notch. The Hawks are No. 1 in the Class 5A preseason rankings by The Des Moines Register. They return several standouts from last year's state runner-up squad--and have also added some talented newcomers. "It's a … [Read more...] about Led by Kohl, No. 1 Hawks look to contend for 2nd state title in 3 years

‘It was fun’: Hawkettes top Centennial to win Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational

by

The Ankeny volleyball team is off to a good start. Ankeny Centennial has plenty of reasons to be optimistic, too. Both squads opened their season on Tuesday by competing in the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. Fifth-ranked Ankeny won the round-robin tournament with a 4-0 record, while No. 11 Centennial took second with a 3-1 mark. "It’s always … [Read more...] about ‘It was fun’: Hawkettes top Centennial to win Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational

Hawkettes’ new head coach ‘blown away’ by team’s progress in preseason

by

When Dave Whims retired as the Ankeny volleyball coach, he left behind a talented roster. New head coach Dani Kohut Lynch inherits a team that boasts five returning varsity regulars, led by junior outside hitter Aowyn Schrader. Also back are senior setter Jesa Wallace, senior middle hitter Myra Carlson, senior outside hitter Hannah Baier and junior … [Read more...] about Hawkettes’ new head coach ‘blown away’ by team’s progress in preseason

‘I think we could have done better’: Hawks fall short in opener against SEP

by

On a near perfect day for golf, the Ankeny boys' team opened its season on Thursday with a 299-302 loss to visiting Southeast Polk in a CIML Conference dual meet at Otter Creek. The Hawks posted five scores in the 70s, but it wasn't good enough to knock off Southeast Polk, which was coming off a victory in the Jesse Peck Invitational on Monday at … [Read more...] about ‘I think we could have done better’: Hawks fall short in opener against SEP

Ankeny girls’ cross country team looks to build on success of last year’s squad

by

Coming off one of the best seasons in school history, the Ankeny girls' cross country team is setting some high expectations once again. The Hawkettes placed sixth in last year's Class 4A state meet with 166 points. It was the second-best performance in program history, surpassed only by a fifth-place finish in 1988. Now, Ankeny could be poised for … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ cross country team looks to build on success of last year’s squad

‘We have a really strong nucleus coming back’: Hawks return 4 varsity regulars

by

Last year, the Ankeny boys' cross country team entered the Class 4A state meet with a goal of a top-10 finish. The Hawks came up short of their goal, placing 13th with 299 points. However, they did finish eight points ahead of crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, defeating the Jaguars for the fourth time in their seven meetings in 2021. Now, Ankeny could … [Read more...] about ‘We have a really strong nucleus coming back’: Hawks return 4 varsity regulars

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Avin Legg, Ankeny boys’ golf

by

Senior Avin Legg helped the Ankeny boys' golf team to a 3-3 dual record last year. He placed second among the Hawks with a 41.3 average. Legg shot a 78 to place 12th at the Indianola Invitational. He helped his team to a third-place finish at the tournament. The Hawks will host Southeast Polk in their season opener on Thursday at Otter Creek. Here … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Avin Legg, Ankeny boys’ golf

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (pre-Pezzetti era)

by

Ankeny's success on the football field didn't begin with coach Jerry Pezzetti's arrival in 1969. In the previous four decades, Ankeny racked up 11 undefeated seasons, including five in a row from 1933-37 that resulted in a 44-game winning streak. The Hawks also went unbeaten in 1943, 1946, 1950, 1957, 1959 and 1961. Unlike today, most of the stars of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (pre-Pezzetti era)

‘I hope we can get over that hump’: Ankeny golfers look to qualify for state

by

After a tremendous two-year run, the Ankeny boys' golf team took a step backwards last season. Now, the Hawks could be poised for another huge campaign in 2022. Several varsity regulars are back from a team that posted a 3-3 record last year in the Hawks' final season in the CIML Iowa Conference. Ankeny is now a member of the nine-team CIML … [Read more...] about ‘I hope we can get over that hump’: Ankeny golfers look to qualify for state

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: JJ Kohl, Ankeny football

by

Senior quarterback JJ Kohl of the Ankeny football team is considered one of the nation's top recruits in the Class of 2023. A four-star prospect, he is now the No. 5 quarterback and No. 36 overall nationally in the latest rankings by On3 Recruits. Kohl, an Under Armour All-American, helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record last season. He completed 143-of-237 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: JJ Kohl, Ankeny football

Ankeny’s Jackson commits to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato

by

Ankeny defensive end Diego Jackson has verbally committed to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato. Jackson announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday. "I'm excited to announce my commitment to @MinnStFootball!" Jackson tweeted. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound senior-to-be helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a second-place finish in Class 5A last … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Jackson commits to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato

‘STAYING HOME’: Three-star athlete Patton to play football for Cyclones

by

Ankeny defensive back Jamison Patton has verbally committed to play football for Iowa State. Patton announced his decision via Twitter on Monday. He tweeted: "STAYING HOME #CyclONEnation". Patton transferred to Ankeny in the spring from Des Moines Roosevelt, where he starred as a dual-threat quarterback. He was recruited by Power Five schools as an … [Read more...] about ‘STAYING HOME’: Three-star athlete Patton to play football for Cyclones