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
Fall
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
Defending champs look to ‘maintain high expectations program has reached’
The goals haven't changed for the Ankeny volleyball team, even after losing Class 5A player of the year Phyona Schrader and fellow all-stater McKenna Scheib from last year's state championship squad. Ankeny coach Dave Whims thinks the Hawkettes can contend for another crown. "My goal is to get the players to play the best they can play as an individual … [Read more...] about Defending champs look to ‘maintain high expectations program has reached’
After McMahon’s departure, Hawkettes look to rebuild around Dosh, Beason
A year ago, Ankeny's Lauren McMahon emerged from out of nowhere to become one of the state's top girls' cross country runners. Now, as quickly as she arrived on the scene, she is gone. McMahon went out for the sport for the first time and won six of her first seven races before placing sixth in the Class 4A state meet, where she led the Hawkettes to a … [Read more...] about After McMahon’s departure, Hawkettes look to rebuild around Dosh, Beason
A strong group of senior runners to lead the way for Ankeny boys’ squad
The Ankeny boys' cross country team came up three points shy of qualifying for last year's Class 4A state meet. The Hawks' fourth-place finish in a district meet at Marshalltown has provided a lot of motivation in the offseason. "After a somewhat disappointing finish to our varsity season last year, our guys are really locked in to having a great … [Read more...] about A strong group of senior runners to lead the way for Ankeny boys’ squad
‘We have a great pool of athletes’: AHS swimmers return 10 state qualifiers
Many of the top performers from last year's Ankeny girls' swimming team are back this season. The Hawkettes have also added some talented newcomers. "We have one of the largest teams I've coached," said longtime Ankeny coach Michelle Stout, who has 45 girls on the roster. "It's common to get a spike in interest in an Olympic year, and this (year) was … [Read more...] about ‘We have a great pool of athletes’: AHS swimmers return 10 state qualifiers
‘The kids were less nervous’: Hawk golfers top Ames behind Hensen, Legg
Playing on its home course proved to be just what the Ankeny boys' golf team needed. After opening the season on Tuesday with a loss at Marshalltown, the Hawks returned home and posted a 312-323 victory over visiting Ames on Thursday at Otter Creek Golf Course. They evened their record at 1-1 in the CIML Iowa Conference. "It was good to get one in the … [Read more...] about ‘The kids were less nervous’: Hawk golfers top Ames behind Hensen, Legg
Hawk golfers open season with loss to Marshalltown on Bobcats’ home course
Ankeny boys' golf coach Mike Weddingfeld said last week that he was looking for day-to-day improvement from his inexperienced squad this season. The Hawks certainly have a lot of room for improvement. Ankeny opened its season on Tuesday with a 303-336 loss to Marshalltown in a CIML Iowa Conference dual meet at Elmwood Country Club. The Bobcats have won … [Read more...] about Hawk golfers open season with loss to Marshalltown on Bobcats’ home course