A fast start helped the third-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a 25-14, 25-20, 25-21 victory at No. 10 Johnston on Tuesday. After a sideout by the Hawkettes, Lexi Stephens and her teammates reeled off 10 straight points for an 11-1 lead and never looked back. They improved their record to 14-1, while the Dragons dropped to 8-4. "This was a big win in … [Read more...] about Hawkettes get off to fast start, sweep to victory at No. 10 Johnston
Fall
Ankeny swimmers win all 12 events, cruise to 150-32 victory over Ottumwa
Tuesday's dual meet against visiting Ottumwa turned out to be more of an intrasquad scrimmage for the Ankeny girls' swimming team. The Hawkettes dominated the non-conference meet, winning every event en route to a 150-32 victory at Trail Point Aquatics Center. They evened their record at 1-1. Ankeny swept the top two or three places in most of the … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers win all 12 events, cruise to 150-32 victory over Ottumwa
Hawk golfers fall to Waukee Northwest, will host Ankeny Invite Wednesday
The Ankeny boys' golf team dropped a 158-165 decision to Waukee Northwest in a CIML Iowa Conference dual meet on Tuesday at The Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk. The Hawks dropped to 2-2 in the conference. "We played OK on a tough golf course," said Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld. "We didn’t do a very good job of eliminating the bigger numbers--we had … [Read more...] about Hawk golfers fall to Waukee Northwest, will host Ankeny Invite Wednesday
Hawkettes knock off No. 1 IC Liberty, No. 2 Valley to win Marj White Classic
There will likely be a new No. 1 team in Class 5A when the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announces its volleyball rankings later this week. And it will be the same squad that raised the state championship trophy last November. Third-ranked Ankeny knocked off the top two teams in Class 5A to win the Marj White Classic on Saturday at Valley. The … [Read more...] about Hawkettes knock off No. 1 IC Liberty, No. 2 Valley to win Marj White Classic
GOODE ENOUGH: Jaguars shock Ankeny behind QB’s 2 TD runs, strong defense
There wasn't much belief in the Ankeny Centennial football team following the Jaguars' 42-13 loss at Indianola in their season opener. But the players in the locker room never lost faith in themselves. "We just had some small mistakes that we had to fix," said Centennial senior Trey Porter. Porter intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble, while … [Read more...] about GOODE ENOUGH: Jaguars shock Ankeny behind QB’s 2 TD runs, strong defense
CENTENNIAL 14, ANKENY 7: Pezzetti ties all-time record in stunning fashion
Jerry Pezzetti stood at midfield and watched as his Ankeny Centennial football players celebrated a huge win over their crosstown rival. He wiped a tear out of his eye after reaching a coaching milestone. "You've got to hand it to these kids," Pezzetti said following the Jaguars' 14-7 victory over second-ranked Ankeny on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "They … [Read more...] about CENTENNIAL 14, ANKENY 7: Pezzetti ties all-time record in stunning fashion
A REVERSAL OF FORTUNE: Jags place 4th, Hawks finish 7th at Schmaltz Invite
On Saturday, the Ankeny boys' cross country team finished 34 points ahead of Ankeny Centennial in the Dragon Twilight Invitational at Johnston High School. Five days later, the Jaguars reversed the outcome against their crosstown rival. Fifteenth-ranked Centennial placed fourth among 14 teams in the Kirk Schmaltz Invitational on Thursday at the Iowa … [Read more...] about A REVERSAL OF FORTUNE: Jags place 4th, Hawks finish 7th at Schmaltz Invite
FRESHMAN PHENOM: Ankeny’s Macke smashes 5K school record by 26 seconds
Ankeny freshman Alli Macke didn't realize how fast she was running. The clock showed that she was having an incredible race. Macke placed second in the Kirk Schmaltz Invitational on Thursday at the Iowa State cross country course in Ames. She posted a time of 17:48 in the 5K race, smashing the previous school record by 26 seconds. "I don’t normally … [Read more...] about FRESHMAN PHENOM: Ankeny’s Macke smashes 5K school record by 26 seconds
Hawkettes drop 104-82 decision to Johnston in their dual-meet opener
The Ankeny girls' swimming team has had some good battles with Johnston over the last couple of years. The Hawkettes opened last season with a 102-84 victory over Johnston before the Dragons later edged Ankeny by four points to win the regional meet at Johnston. The Dragons then placed fifth at the state meet with 173 points, while Ankeny finished seventh … [Read more...] about Hawkettes drop 104-82 decision to Johnston in their dual-meet opener
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 151
Ankeny Centennial volleyball coach Jessica Rinehart joined assistant coach Sam Sheldon and senior outside hitter Ava Reynolds of Ankeny as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 151
Hawkettes rebound from first loss, roll past Fort Dodge in conference opener
Once the Ankeny volleyball team got rolling on Tuesday, there wasn't much that Fort Dodge could do to stop the Hawkettes. Third-ranked Ankeny posted a 25-14 victory in the first set of its CIML Iowa Conference opener. The visiting Hawkettes then rolled in the next two sets, 25-5, 25-1, to complete a sweep. "We got warmed up in the first set," said … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rebound from first loss, roll past Fort Dodge in conference opener
Jaguars take 3rd at Fort Dodge Invite; Hensen leads Hawks to 5th-place finish
The first matchup this season between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' golf teams turned out to be a close one. Both squads competed in the 20-team Fort Dodge Invitational on Tuesday at the Fort Dodge Country Club. Centennial placed third with a 315 total, while Ankeny finished fifth with a 317. "We had a decent day overall," said Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars take 3rd at Fort Dodge Invite; Hensen leads Hawks to 5th-place finish
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Hannah Baier, Ankeny volleyball
Junior outside hitter Hannah Baier has helped the third-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a 7-1 record. She had 19 kills and 11 digs as the Hawkettes opened their season on Tuesday by winning the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. Ankeny then competed in the Ankeny Centennial Invitational on Saturday. The Hawkettes swept all three of their opponents during … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Hannah Baier, Ankeny volleyball
Ankeny boys, girls earn runner-up finish at Dragon Twilight Invitational
It appears that the Ankeny boys' and girls' cross country teams may have been underrated in the Class 4A preseason rankings. Both squads opened their season on Saturday night by placing second in the Dragon Twilight Invitational at Johnston High School. The Hawks and Hawkettes defeated multiple higher-ranked teams, including Ankeny Centennial. "I'm … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys, girls earn runner-up finish at Dragon Twilight Invitational
Hawkettes, Jaguars suffer back-to-back losses to Valley at Centennial Invite
For the second time in five days, a potential matchup between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial volleyball teams was spoiled by one of the schools' CIML rivals. On Saturday at the Centennial Invitational, sixth-ranked Valley posted a 25-21, 25-17 victory over No. 3 Ankeny in the quarterfinals. It was the first loss of the season for the Hawkettes (7-1) and … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars suffer back-to-back losses to Valley at Centennial Invite
OPENING STATEMENT: Hawks’ defense shines in 49-0 win over Waukee
Braden Simonsen will have a lot to celebrate Saturday on his birthday. Simonsen returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and the third-ranked Ankeny football team rolled to a 49-0 victory over visiting Waukee in the season opener for both squads on Friday. "Scoring the touchdown was a great early birthday present!" Simonsen said. It was an … [Read more...] about OPENING STATEMENT: Hawks’ defense shines in 49-0 win over Waukee
‘It’ll be fun to watch’: No. 3 Hawks look to contend for first Class 5A crown
The cupboard is hardly bare for the Ankeny football team. The Hawks suffered heavy losses to graduation after winning the Class 4A state title last fall, but several standouts are back from the squad that finished with an 11-1 record. Some talented newcomers have joined the roster as well. Ankeny is third in the new Class 5A division in the preseason … [Read more...] about ‘It’ll be fun to watch’: No. 3 Hawks look to contend for first Class 5A crown
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 150
Publisher Dan Holm previews the high school football season in this edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America as he stopped by practice to interview seniors Braden Simonsen and Brady McCullough along with head coach Rick Nelson of Ankeny, and seniors Trey Porter and Carter Cahill along with co-head coach Jerry … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 150
Hawkettes rally past Dowling Catholic to win DC-G Invitational crown
The Ankeny volleyball team has picked up right where it left off a year ago. The defending Class 5A state champions opened their season on Tuesday by winning the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. Third-ranked Ankeny rallied to beat No. 10 Dowling Catholic, 18-21, 21-10, 15-10, in the championship match. "The last match was the best one," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally past Dowling Catholic to win DC-G Invitational crown
Peters, Ankeny divers defend their titles at Johnston Invitational
Last year, the Ankeny girls' swimming team had three divers among the top 13 finishers at the state meet. The Hawkettes might be able to duplicate that feat this season. Even though Dasha Toth has graduated, Ankeny showed off its diving depth on Monday at the Johnston Invitational. The Hawkettes placed three girls among the top six finishers in the … [Read more...] about Peters, Ankeny divers defend their titles at Johnston Invitational