Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Fall

Kingston to be reunited with Kadolph, Pelham at Minnesota State-Mankato

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Ankeny offensive lineman Joe Kingston has verbally committed to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato. Kingston picked the Mavericks over Pittsburg State (Kan.). His teammate, defensive end Diego Jackson, previously committed to the program. "It was really a two-dog race between Pitt State and Mankato for a long time," said Kingston. "My visit up to … [Read more...] about Kingston to be reunited with Kadolph, Pelham at Minnesota State-Mankato

Westover commits to Iowa Western, joining trio of Centennial recruits

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Ankeny defensive back PJ Westover has made his college choice. Westover announced on Twitter Monday that he has verbally committed to play football at Iowa Western Community College. Westover helped the Hawks to a 9-2 record last season. He made 42.5 tackles and intercepted a pair of passes. Westover was named to the Class 5A all-state second team … [Read more...] about Westover commits to Iowa Western, joining trio of Centennial recruits

Ankeny assistant Sheldon named head volleyball coach at Pella High School

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Ankeny assistant volleyball coach Sam Sheldon felt like she was ready to take over her own program. Now, she'll be able to do just that. Sheldon has been named the head coach at Pella High School, pending school board approval. "I feel very ready to serve their community and lead this program," said Sheldon. Sheldon has been an assistant coach at … [Read more...] about Ankeny assistant Sheldon named head volleyball coach at Pella High School

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (1st team)

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Jerry Pezzetti has always started his pregame speeches with the same word during his legendary career as a football coach. "Men," he says. "Just by calling us 'men' we felt big, strong and powerful," said Jon Leverenz, a star linebacker for Pezzetti in the 1980s. "And he would proceed to make us feel unstoppable regardless of the challenges ahead. But … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (1st team)

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)

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For several months, Ankeny Fanatic has been contacting the members of its all-time Ankeny football team to get a reaction from some of the players, as well as stories and favorite memories from their high school careers. One former Ankeny standout responded with a poem that he wrote. Ross Naylor entitled it, "Pezzetti's Proposal", in honor of his … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)

Nelson resigns after 8 years at Ankeny, will rejoin UNI as offensive line coach

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Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson is headed back to Cedar Falls. Nelson, who was a longtime assistant coach at Northern Iowa before taking over the Hawks' program in 2015, has announced his resignation. He will rejoin the Panthers' staff as the offensive line coach. Nelson replaces Ryan Clanton, who was the offensive line coach and offensive … [Read more...] about Nelson resigns after 8 years at Ankeny, will rejoin UNI as offensive line coach

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

‘We have a lot of opportunities to score points’: AHS advances 4 girls in 7 events

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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