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’
Fall
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
Hawk golfers looking to rebuild after one of best seasons in school history
During the 2020 season, Ankeny boys' golf coach Mike Weddingfeld enjoyed the luxury of having five experienced seniors in his varsity lineup. That quintet--Hunter Johnson, Joey Newton, Ty Roghair, Dylan Taylor and Corbin Walker--led the Hawks to one of the best seasons in school history. Ankeny went undefeated in conference dual meets for the second … [Read more...] about Hawk golfers looking to rebuild after one of best seasons in school history
Ankeny star Schrader named Gatorade Iowa Volleyball Player of the Year
Ankeny volleyball star Phyona Schrader has added another huge award to her collection of trophies. The senior setter has been named the Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year for 2020-21, becoming only the second Ankeny player to receive the award. Chelsey Semprini also earned the honor in 2008. "I was sitting drinking tea with my mom this morning when … [Read more...] about Ankeny star Schrader named Gatorade Iowa Volleyball Player of the Year
Class 5A football schedules announced for 2021-22 seasons by IHSAA
The Class 5A football schedules have been announced for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. District and group assignments were posted in March following Board of Control approval. After a unique one-year cycle and adjusted playoff format in 2020, these schedules are in place for two years and include a new seventh … [Read more...] about Class 5A football schedules announced for 2021-22 seasons by IHSAA
Kohl named Quarterback MVP at Under Armour All-America Camp
Ankeny sophomore JJ Kohl was named the Quarterback MVP at the Midwest stop of the Under Armour All-America Camp Series on Sunday at Obetz, Ohio. According to Allen Trieu of 247Sports, Kohl's performance likely raised his recruiting profile. "It was a good group of quarterbacks and Kohl may not have come in with offers like some of them did but he is a … [Read more...] about Kohl named Quarterback MVP at Under Armour All-America Camp
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Ankeny’s Bosch to follow in her sisters’ footsteps
Megan Bosch has decided to follow in her sisters' footsteps. The Ankeny senior has signed a letter of intent to join the Northwestern College women's track and field and cross country programs. Her sister Katie was a standout runner for the Red Raiders, and another sister--Emily--is currently a senior on the Northwestern softball team. "My three older … [Read more...] about ALL IN THE FAMILY: Ankeny’s Bosch to follow in her sisters’ footsteps
‘I felt like Wartburg was the best fit for me’: Ankeny’s Poock commits to Knights
Ankeny distance runner Andrew Poock has committed to Wartburg College. Poock picked the Knights over Central and Simpson. All three schools are members of the NCAA Division III American Rivers Conference. "I looked at Iowa State first, but after looking at Central, Simpson and Wartburg I liked the feel of the smaller schools better," Poock said. "I … [Read more...] about ‘I felt like Wartburg was the best fit for me’: Ankeny’s Poock commits to Knights
Nelson named Coach of the Year by FNF Coaches after leading Hawks to title
Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson has been named the Coach of the Year for the state of Iowa by FNF Coaches. He was one of 33 coaches from across the country to be honored. Nelson guided Ankeny to the Class 4A state title last fall. The Hawks posted a 31-24 victory over Dowling Catholic in double overtime in the semifinals, ending the Maroons' seven-year … [Read more...] about Nelson named Coach of the Year by FNF Coaches after leading Hawks to title
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 128
Publisher Dan Holm talks to Ankeny volleyball standout McKenna Scheib about her verbal commitment to Bradley, breaks down the boys' state basketball tournament with Ankeny assistant coach Nate Tobey and Dowling Catholic head coach Mike O'Connor, and recaps the girls' state tournament with assistant coach Todd Schneiter of Class 5A state champion Waukee. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 128
‘It felt like a second home’: Ankeny’s Riggs to play football at St. Ambrose
As the backup quarterback for the Ankeny football team, Colin Riggs didn't see a lot of playing time during the Hawks' run to the Class 4A state championship last fall. However, he still did enough on the field to catch the attention of college coaches. Riggs has verbally committed to play for St. Ambrose University in Davenport. He announced his … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like a second home’: Ankeny’s Riggs to play football at St. Ambrose
‘Bradley was the perfect fit for me!’: Ankeny’s Scheib to play for Braves
Ankeny volleyball standout McKenna Scheib will be taking her talents to Peoria, Ill. The senior middle hitter has committed to play for Bradley University. "My decision wasn’t very hard," Scheib said. "It is coming to the end of my high school career and I needed to move on, and Bradley was the perfect fit for me! From the first time I talked to the … [Read more...] about ‘Bradley was the perfect fit for me!’: Ankeny’s Scheib to play for Braves
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ cross country team
During his long tenure as the Ankeny boys' cross country coach, Steve Arneson guided dozens of runners to an appearance in the state meet. Ankeny qualified for state for 22 consecutive years from 1990-2011, the third-longest streak in state history. Only Cedar Falls (1992-2016) and Monticello (1997-2019) have had longer streaks. Arneson coached the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ cross country team
‘I would feel regret if I didn’t at least try’: Peterson to play for Grand View
Brice Peterson has decided that he isn't ready to hang up his cleats. The Ankeny linebacker has verbally committed to play football at Grand View University. He becomes the sixth player from Ankeny in the Vikings' Class of 2021, joining teammates Justice Miller and Kade Somers as well as the trio of Tyler Johnson, Jackie Wells and Nathan Wilde of Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘I would feel regret if I didn’t at least try’: Peterson to play for Grand View
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ cross country team
Craig Doocy coached a lot of talented runners during his 28 years as the head coach of the Ankeny girls' cross country team. Doocy took over the program in 1989 and guided the Hawkettes to 15 state-meet appearances before retiring after the 2016 season. "I was blessed with coaching so many awesome, hard-working, dedicated student-athletes that I was … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ cross country team
Ankeny’s Miller to play two sports–football and track–at Grand View
Sometimes, everything falls into place for a high school athlete in pursuit of a collegiate career. That's what happened with Ankeny senior Justice Miller, who has committed to play two sports--football, and track and field--at Grand View University. "I was looking for a school I could do track at and Grand View offered me for track, but after our … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Miller to play two sports–football and track–at Grand View