Sometimes, a team can benefit from a loss. That may have been the case on Tuesday for the seventh-ranked Ankeny girls' swimming team, which dropped a 105-81 decision at No. 3 Ames in a CIML Iowa Conference dual meet. A year ago, the Little Cyclones--who have won nine of the last 11 state titles--posted a 119-67 victory over Ankeny. "Tonight we … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers make some progress despite loss to No. 3 Little Cyclones
Fall
Hawk golfers, Hensen just miss qualifying for Class 4A state meet
The season came to an end on Tuesday for the Ankeny boys' golf team. The Hawks competed in a Class 4A district meet at Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City and just missed qualifying for the state meet. They placed fifth in the 14-team field with a 335 total, finishing three strokes out of the third and final qualifying spot. "I am really proud of … [Read more...] about Hawk golfers, Hensen just miss qualifying for Class 4A state meet
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ swimming team
When the Ankeny girls' swimming program was launched in 1989, the Hawkettes suffered through some growing pains. Ankeny had three winless campaigns in its first seven seasons and went just 10-52 in dual meets through 1995. The Hawkettes had no state qualifiers in two of those years and placed no higher than 30th at the state meet during that … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ swimming team
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Hensen, Ankeny boys’ golf
Sophomore Drew Hensen carded a 75 in the CIML Iowa Conference meet on Tuesday at Otter Creek Golf Course. He placed third as an individual while leading the Ankeny boys' golf team to a fourth-place finish. Hensen is a three-time medalist this season. He leads the Hawks with a nine-hole average of 38.7 strokes. Here is some inside info on Hensen: You … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Drew Hensen, Ankeny boys’ golf
‘They made more plays than we did’: Valley’s late TD hands Hawks 38-35 loss
The Ankeny football team knows how to rebound from a tough loss. Now, the Hawks will have to do it again. Mason Morrow threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ayden Price with 13 seconds left and fifth-ranked Valley defeated No. 1 Ankeny, 38-35, on Friday at Valley Stadium. "I definitely think we will bounce back stronger," said Ankeny receiver Brady … [Read more...] about ‘They made more plays than we did’: Valley’s late TD hands Hawks 38-35 loss
COMMITTED: Centennial’s Kovacs to join Ankeny’s Gibson, Macke at Minnesota St.
Ankeny Centennial soccer standout Courtney Kovacs decided earlier this week that she wanted to continue her playing career at Minnesota State-Mankato. Ankeny players Eden Gibson and Kennedy Macke came to the same conclusion at about the same time. Kovacs announced her verbal commitment to the Mavericks via Twitter on Tuesday. Gibson and Macke then … [Read more...] about COMMITTED: Centennial’s Kovacs to join Ankeny’s Gibson, Macke at Minnesota St.
McCullough to follow sister’s footsteps, will play football at Northern Iowa
Ankeny receiver Brady McCullough has always had a tight bond with his older sister Sara. The siblings will have a chance to grow even closer over the next few years. McCullough verbally committed on Wednesday to play football at Northern Iowa, where Sara is a redshirt freshman on the women's basketball team. He announced his decision via … [Read more...] about McCullough to follow sister’s footsteps, will play football at Northern Iowa
‘We wanted it so bad’: Centennial girls sweep to victory over Hawkettes
For the last two weeks, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team focused most of its attention on third-ranked Ankeny. Not even an injury to one of their top players could prevent the No. 7 Jaguars from knocking off their crosstown rival. Centennial moved into sole possession of first place in the CIML Iowa Conference with a 28-26, 31-29, 25-23 victory at … [Read more...] about ‘We wanted it so bad’: Centennial girls sweep to victory over Hawkettes
Hawkettes win 10 of 12 events on Senior Night, cruise past Mason City
Ankeny girls' swimming coach Michelle Stout is never going to forget this year's senior class. The 14 seniors were recognized on Tuesday during the Hawkettes' 131-54 victory over visiting Mason City at Trail Point Aquatics Center. "This is one of the largest group of senior girls that I can remember," Stout said. "They have shown great leadership and … [Read more...] about Hawkettes win 10 of 12 events on Senior Night, cruise past Mason City
Anderson commits to St. Thomas, then suffers injury in Jaguars’ win over Ankeny
It's been a rollercoaster week for Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Olivia Anderson. On Monday, she verbally committed to play for the University of St. Thomas (Minn.). The Tommies are the first athletic program in the NCAA modern era to reclassify directly from Division III to Division I. "I'm super excited," Anderson said. "They're in the Summit … [Read more...] about Anderson commits to St. Thomas, then suffers injury in Jaguars’ win over Ankeny
King, Jaguars place 2nd at conference meet; Hensen takes 3rd for Hawks
During the regular season, the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team dominated the CIML Iowa Conference, defeating all six of its opponents to capture the league's dual-meet title. On Tuesday at Otter Creek Golf Course, the seventh-ranked Jaguars were unable to complete a sweep of the conference championships. No. 11 Marshalltown shot a 302 to win the Iowa … [Read more...] about King, Jaguars place 2nd at conference meet; Hensen takes 3rd for Hawks
Hawkettes race to victory at Rim Rock Farm Classic; Ankeny boys finish 14th
The Ankeny girls' cross country team picked a good time to win its first title of the season. It came on Saturday at the prestigious Rim Rock Farm Classic at the University of Kansas. The Hawkettes, who are ranked eighth in Class 4A, captured the crown in the Girls' Crimson division with 77 points. Topeka-Seaman (Kan.) placed second in the 21-team … [Read more...] about Hawkettes race to victory at Rim Rock Farm Classic; Ankeny boys finish 14th
Hawkettes capture Boone Invitational title, will host Centennial Tuesday
Dropping only one set along the way, the Ankeny volleyball team captured the championship of the Boone Invitational on Saturday. The third-ranked Hawkettes won all six of their matches in the round-robin tournament. They raised their record to 30-4 on the season. Ankeny also won the Boone Invitational in 2018 and 2019. The tournament was not held last … [Read more...] about Hawkettes capture Boone Invitational title, will host Centennial Tuesday
Ankeny divers post personal-best scores at Tiger Tanker Invitational
Three Ankeny divers competed in the Tiger Tanker Invitational on Saturday at Valley, and all of them earned top-eight finishes. "It was a nice day of diving for the girls. All three of them had a personal best," said Ankeny diving coach Mandy Parton. "We had some tough competition, which is always a great challenge!" Erica Peters placed second with … [Read more...] about Ankeny divers post personal-best scores at Tiger Tanker Invitational
Roosevelt has no answers for Hawks’ aerial attack, lousy field position
The entire first half of Friday's football game at Ankeny Stadium was played on one end of the field. Second-ranked Ankeny took advantage of great field position to build a 42-0 halftime lead and went on to defeat No. 10 Des Moines Roosevelt, 49-6, in a matchup of Group 1 teams in the new Class 5A. "I'm not shocked," said Ankeny coach Rick Nelson. "But … [Read more...] about Roosevelt has no answers for Hawks’ aerial attack, lousy field position
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: JJ Kohl, Ankeny junior
The quarterback passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns in the first half alone to lead the Hawks to a 49-6 victory over Des Moines Roosevelt. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: JJ Kohl, Ankeny junior
Winkel leads Jaguars to 3rd-place finish at S.E. Polk Invite; Ankeny takes 7th
Ankeny Centennial's Jack Winkel put another great round of golf together on Wednesday at Copper Creek. How well his teammates play the rest of the way will likely determine just how far the Jaguars go in the postseason. Winkel carded a 3-under-par 68 to earn runner-up honors in the Southeast Polk Invitational. However, none of his teammates could score … [Read more...] about Winkel leads Jaguars to 3rd-place finish at S.E. Polk Invite; Ankeny takes 7th
Hawkettes sweep Waukee Northwest, beat Wolves for 3rd time this season
The Ankeny volleyball team is hoping to get healthy before Tuesday's showdown against crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. The second-ranked Hawkettes posted a 25-14, 25-20, 25-16 victory at No. 13 Waukee Northwest on Tuesday, despite battling some illnesses. "Dealing with fall colds, flus and other things we were a little sluggish," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Waukee Northwest, beat Wolves for 3rd time this season
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 154
Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson and senior defensive lineman Braden Simonsen discuss the Hawks' victory over then-No. 1 Southeast Polk and look ahead to the rest of the season in the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 154
Hawkettes rack up season-high 3,351 power points in win at Marshalltown
The Ankeny girls' swimming team has been spending a lot of time on the bus. After traveling to Fort Dodge on Sept. 14 and then going to Iowa City on Saturday for the Little Hawk Invitational, the Hawkettes hit the road again on Tuesday and rolled to a 147-38 victory at Marshalltown. They improved their records to 2-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 4-1 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rack up season-high 3,351 power points in win at Marshalltown