Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Fall

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

‘They believed in me before anyone else did’: Four-star QB Kohl picks Cyclones

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Ankeny quarterback JJ Kohl had scholarship offers from schools all over the country. In the end, he decided to stay close to home. The junior announced his verbal commitment on Monday night to play football at Iowa State, beginning in the fall of 2023. "It wasn’t an easy decision," said Kohl. "I had some other schools that I was considering, and I … [Read more...] about ‘They believed in me before anyone else did’: Four-star QB Kohl picks Cyclones

Ankeny lineman Monsivais to play football at Northwest Missouri State

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Ankeny offensive lineman Drew Monsivais has verbally committed to play football at Northwest Missouri State. Monsivais, a junior, helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A last season. "It was a pretty easy decision," said Monsivais. "There’s a certain feeling I got the first time I was there and have had every time I’ve been … [Read more...] about Ankeny lineman Monsivais to play football at Northwest Missouri State

‘Luckily, the coaches agreed!’: Henning reaches out to SDSU, will swim for Jacks

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Ankeny swimming standout Alexis Henning has verbally committed to join the women's swimming and diving program at South Dakota State. Henning said she visited only a few schools before making her decision. "I had a small number of schools I was focused on to study architecture. I was lucky to find the type of school I was looking for that also had a … [Read more...] about ‘Luckily, the coaches agreed!’: Henning reaches out to SDSU, will swim for Jacks

Ankeny girls’ swimming coach Stout announces retirement after 15 seasons

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Ankeny girls' swimming coach Michelle Stout wanted to leave her program in a good place. She has certainly done that. The longtime coach of the Hawkettes has announced her retirement. "I always knew I wanted to be sure I retired at a time when the team was in a position to succeed after my departure," said Stout, who has also been an assistant … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ swimming coach Stout announces retirement after 15 seasons

Roosevelt’s Patton to transfer to Ankeny, will play safety to prepare for next level

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One of the state's top football players in the Class of 2023 is headed to Ankeny High School. Des Moines Roosevelt star Jamison Patton, who is being recruited by Power Five schools as an athlete, announced on Sunday via Twitter that he will play for the Hawks in the fall. "After a lot of thought and talking it over with my family I will be transferring … [Read more...] about Roosevelt’s Patton to transfer to Ankeny, will play safety to prepare for next level

‘I’m so excited’: Kohut Lynch hired to take over Ankeny volleyball program

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Dani Kohut Lynch has some big shoes to fill. Fortunately, she has some big shoes of her own. Kohut Lynch, a former St. Cloud State player and Luther College head coach, has been hired to replace legendary Ankeny volleyball coach Dave Whims. "I'm so excited," said Kohut Lynch. "The tradition at Ankeny is so rich. I don't have to re-invent the wheel … [Read more...] about ‘I’m so excited’: Kohut Lynch hired to take over Ankeny volleyball program