Ankeny Fanatic

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Fall

‘They consistently win’: Ankeny lineman Thomas to play football at Central

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Ankeny lineman Ethan Thomas has committed to play football at Central College. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Thomas announced his decision via Twitter on Tuesday. He helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A last season. "I looked at Morningside, St. Ambrose and Loras as well as Central," said Thomas. "I liked the facilities, both … [Read more...] about ‘They consistently win’: Ankeny lineman Thomas to play football at Central

Ankeny’s Cornwell signs letter of intent to play football at Colgate University

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Ankeny defensive back Will Cornwell was among the state's leaders in interceptions last season. Plenty of college football coaches recognized Cornwell's play-making ability. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior has signed a letter of intent to play for Colgate University, a Division I school located in Hamilton, N.Y. The Raiders are members of the Patriot … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Cornwell signs letter of intent to play football at Colgate University

Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois

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Ryan Crandall has decided to wear different shades of purple and gold. After earlier committing to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato, the Ankeny defensive back has signed a letter of intent to play for Western Illinois next year. "It was a hard decision, but it's always been a dream of mine to play at the highest level I can possibly play at," … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois

‘This was a good time to step away’: State’s all-time winningest coach retires

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Ankeny volleyball coach Dave Whims has retired again. Whims, who came out of retirement to coach the Hawkettes for a second stint in 2019, said this time he won't be coming back. "I'll do some consulting with coaches, and I'll share videos and drills with them," Whims said. "I think that'll keep me busy. But as far as being a head coach somewhere, I … [Read more...] about ‘This was a good time to step away’: State’s all-time winningest coach retires

Crandall picks football, will join Kadolph, Pelham at Minnesota State-Mankato

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Ankeny senior Ryan Crandall is among the best three-sport athletes the school has ever produced. Deciding which of his three sports to play in college was not an easy choice. In the end, though, Crandall chose football over baseball and basketball. On Friday, the defensive back verbally committed to play for Minnesota State-Mankato, joining two of his … [Read more...] about Crandall picks football, will join Kadolph, Pelham at Minnesota State-Mankato

‘When I went to Kearney, it felt like home’: Stephens to play volleyball for Lopers

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It took awhile, but Lexi Stephens finally found the college that was the right fit for her. Ankeny's senior libero has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball next year at Nebraska-Kearney, an NCAA Division II program. "When I went to Kearney and met the team, it felt like home," said Stephens. "They welcomed me and made me feel extremely … [Read more...] about ‘When I went to Kearney, it felt like home’: Stephens to play volleyball for Lopers

Ankeny kicker/punter Pelham to join Kadolph at Minnesota State-Mankato

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The Minnesota State-Mankato football team has landed a second recruit from Ankeny High School. Senior place-kicker and punter Max Pelham verbally committed to the Mavericks on Friday. He joins his teammate Colin Kadolph, a running back who committed to Mankato earlier this fall. "I looked at about seven to eight schools seriously, but I didn't think … [Read more...] about Ankeny kicker/punter Pelham to join Kadolph at Minnesota State-Mankato

Four-star recruit: Ankeny QB Kohl ranked No. 223 nationally by Rivals

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Ankeny quarterback JJ Kohl is now listed as a four-star recruit on Rivals. Kohl, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound junior, is ranked No. 223 nationally in the Class of 2023. He is the No. 5 prospect in the state of Iowa and No. 14 nationally at his position. Kohl helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A this season. He completed … [Read more...] about Four-star recruit: Ankeny QB Kohl ranked No. 223 nationally by Rivals

Seven Ankeny players named to Class 5A all-state first team by IPSWA

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Thirteen Ankeny football players have received all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Two Ankeny Centennial standouts were also honored. The Hawks, who posted a 10-3 record and earned a runner-up finish in Class 5A, placed seven players on the … [Read more...] about Seven Ankeny players named to Class 5A all-state first team by IPSWA

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Tamden Webb-Tate, Ankeny football

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Senior linebacker Tamden Webb-Tate helped the Ankeny football team to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A. He has been named to the all-district first team for the second year in a row. Webb-Tate made eight tackles in the Hawks' 24-7 loss to Southeast Polk in the Class 5A championship game on Friday at the UNI-Dome. He led the team this … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Tamden Webb-Tate, Ankeny football

Kadolph, Webb-Tate, Porter earn repeat all-district first-team honors

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The state runner-up Ankeny football team landed eight players on the all-district first team and eight more on the second team. Ankeny Centennial, meanwhile, had six first-team selections and six second-team picks. The all-district teams were selected by the coaches from the following teams: Ankeny, Centennial, Ames, Marshalltown and Waukee … [Read more...] about Kadolph, Webb-Tate, Porter earn repeat all-district first-team honors

‘They played better than us on this night’: Hawks fall short in title game rematch

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(Story by Rob Gray) It hurts to watch. You’re helpless. The game is essentially decided and the opposing team is flexing and raising its arms on the sideline with 3-plus minutes left. That’s where Ankeny’s football players found themselves late in Friday night’s 24-7 rematch loss to Southeast Polk in the Class 5A championship game and — you … [Read more...] about ‘They played better than us on this night’: Hawks fall short in title game rematch

Back-to-back crowns?: Ankeny Fanatic’s prediction for the Class 5A title game

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If you missed this week's Ankeny Fanatic podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, check it out. We broke down Friday night's Class 5A championship game with seven different guests. So will Ankeny capture its second straight title and the fourth in school history? Or will Southeast Polk claim its first championship? The Hawks have won the last … [Read more...] about Back-to-back crowns?: Ankeny Fanatic’s prediction for the Class 5A title game

Reynolds earns repeat all-state honors; ACA’s Quick named to Class 1A 3rd team

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Ankeny volleyball standout Ava Reynolds has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association for the second year in a row. Reynolds,a senior outside hitter, led the Hawkettes to a 40-6 record and a semifinal appearance in the Class 5A state tournament. She racked up a team-high 435 kills while posting a .341 hitting … [Read more...] about Reynolds earns repeat all-state honors; ACA’s Quick named to Class 1A 3rd team

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sophie Loeffler, Ankeny girls’ swimming

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Freshman Sophie Loeffler helped the Ankeny girls' swimming to a fifth-place finish in the state meet on Saturday at Marshalltown. She placed sixth in the 200 freestyle (1:55.68) and 11th in the 500 freestyle (5:13.43). Loeffler helped the Hawkettes to a ninth-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay, swimming the anchor leg in 24.42 seconds. She swam the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sophie Loeffler, Ankeny girls’ swimming

Stout: 5th-place finish at state ‘a huge accomplishment’ for Ankeny swimmers

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team has been ranked among the top five squads in the state most of the season. The Hawkettes capped off a successful campaign with a fifth-place finish in the state meet on Saturday at Marshalltown. They finished with 168 points, edging CIML rival Johnston by six points for fifth place. "Finishing fifth was a huge … [Read more...] about Stout: 5th-place finish at state ‘a huge accomplishment’ for Ankeny swimmers

‘We just wanted to avenge that loss’: Hawks pound Valley, soar into title game

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Nobody can blame Mason Morrow if he has some nightmares this week. The Valley quarterback was running for his life Friday all over the UNI-Dome turf. Ankeny used a suffocating defensive effort to limit Morrow and the Tigers to 248 total yards and rolled to a 35-13 victory in the Class 5A semifinals at Cedar Falls. The Hawks avenged an earlier 38-35 … [Read more...] about ‘We just wanted to avenge that loss’: Hawks pound Valley, soar into title game