Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Fall

Walker to join Division III progam that has won 12 national titles since 1987

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A second member of the Ankeny boys' golf team has decided to take his game to the collegiate level. Corbin Walker has verbally committed to play for Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. Methodist is an NCAA Division III school and a member of the USA South Athletic Conference. Walker's teammate, Hunter Johnson, previously committed to Iowa … [Read more...] about Walker to join Division III progam that has won 12 national titles since 1987

‘I had a really good feeling about Grand View’: Somers to play for Vikings

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One of the best big-play receivers in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League has decided to stay close to home. Ankeny senior Kade Somers has committed to play for Grand View University, one of the top NAIA programs in the nation. He picked the Vikings over Iowa Western Community College and Morningside. "It was really tough to decide on whether I should … [Read more...] about ‘I had a really good feeling about Grand View’: Somers to play for Vikings

‘It was a no-brainer’: Ankeny linebacker Manus to play for Missouri Western

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Ankeny football standout Brecken Manus is headed to the Show-Me state. The senior linebacker announced on Monday that he has verbally committed to play for Missouri Western. "It was not a hard decision at all," said Manus. "The first time I got to the campus, I knew I could see myself at Missouri Western." Manus also had offers from Wayne State and … [Read more...] about ‘It was a no-brainer’: Ankeny linebacker Manus to play for Missouri Western

State champion Hawks are No. 9 in Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today

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A 10-game winning streak to close out the season has vaulted the Ankeny football team into the Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today. The Hawks are ninth in the latest rankings. They capped off an 11-1 season with a 42-14 victory over top-ranked Southeast Polk in the Class 4A championship game last month at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Ankeny has racked … [Read more...] about State champion Hawks are No. 9 in Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny volleyball team

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Perhaps no high school sport has been more synonymous with the community of Ankeny than the game of volleyball. Ankeny High School captured four state championships in a six-year period from 2004-09. Following the split into two high schools in 2013, Ankeny Centennial quickly claimed four titles in a five-year stretch from 2014-18. "It's fantastic to … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny volleyball team

COMMITTED: Ankeny QB Bauer to play for Central Michigan

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Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer did everything he could to land a Power Five offer. He decided that he couldn't wait any longer. Bauer verbally committed to play football for Central Michigan on Tuesday. He announced his decision via Twitter. "This process has truly been a blessing for me and my family," Bauer tweeted. "I want to give thanks to the … [Read more...] about COMMITTED: Ankeny QB Bauer to play for Central Michigan

Four Ankeny players named to Register’s all-Iowa elite football team

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Four of the state's top 24 football players--according to The Des Moines Register--played for Class 4A state champion Ankeny. A quartet of seniors--quarterback Jase Bauer, running back Arland Bruce IV, receiver Brody Brecht and linebacker Brecken Manus--has been named to the Register's all-Iowa elite team. They led the Hawks to an 11-1 record, capped off … [Read more...] about Four Ankeny players named to Register’s all-Iowa elite football team

Johnson named player of the year by Iowa Golf Coaches Association

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Ankeny senior Hunter Johnson has been named the state's player of the year by the Iowa Golf Coaches Association. Johnson enjoyed a tremendous season for the Hawks. He finished the 2020 campaign ranked first in the individual season rankings. Johnson tied for third place and finished fourth after a cardoff in the Class 4A state meet. He posted a two-day … [Read more...] about Johnson named player of the year by Iowa Golf Coaches Association

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny football

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Junior defensive lineman Braden Simonsen played a key role in the Ankeny football team's run to the Class 4A state title last month. Simonsen made 37 tackles for the Hawks, who boasted one of the state's best defensive units. He had 16 solo tackles, 14.5 for losses and four sacks. Simonsen also filled in at tight end during the playoffs when teammate … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny football

Bauer named captain of Class 4A all-state team by Iowa Print Sports Writers

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Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer is no longer flying under the radar. His performances throughout the Class 4A playoffs changed all that. Bauer has been named the captain of the Class 4A all-state team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. He was among 10 Ankeny … [Read more...] about Bauer named captain of Class 4A all-state team by Iowa Print Sports Writers

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jase Bauer, Ankeny football

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Senior quarterback Jase Bauer played a starring role as the Ankeny football team routed top-ranked Southeast Polk, 42-14, in the Class 4A championship game on Friday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. He accounted for 259 total yards and three touchdowns in the win, and was named Player of the Game by the Iowa High School Sports Network. Bauer completed … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jase Bauer, Ankeny football

KINGS OF THE DOME: Ankeny soars to Class 4A crown with rout over Rams

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When Arland Bruce IV transferred to Ankeny earlier this fall, the Iowa recruit didn't know he was joining a state championship football squad. "I knew the talent we had was pretty scary," Bruce said. "But I really didn't look too far into it. I was just worried about trying to get onto the field with the guys." Bruce sat out the first five games of the … [Read more...] about KINGS OF THE DOME: Ankeny soars to Class 4A crown with rout over Rams

HAIL TO THE VICTORS!

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The trophy case at Ankeny High School might be getting a little crowded. For the third time since March, Ankeny came away with a state championship trophy on Friday night--this time courtesy of the football team. The second-ranked Hawks rolled to a 42-14 victory over No. 1 Southeast Polk in the Class 4A title game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. It's … [Read more...] about HAIL TO THE VICTORS!

Unstoppable force vs. Immovable object? Here is Fanatic’s prediction

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Well, my predictions for last week's Class 4A semifinals were right on the mark, so I'm going to tempt fate and try to make another good call. So here we go. Here's my analysis of Friday's state championship game at the UNI-Dome: Southeast Polk (10-0) vs. Ankeny (10-1): This is the matchup that many people have wanted to see all season long, because … [Read more...] about Unstoppable force vs. Immovable object? Here is Fanatic’s prediction

‘I grew up with all of those kids’: Ankeny’s Cox to face former classmates in 4A final

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Keeping his emotions in check will be a challenge for Ankeny defensive back Cooper Cox during Friday's Class 4A championship game. Cox attended the Southeast Polk school district before moving to Ankeny prior to his freshman year. "I grew up with all of those kids," Cox said. "I remember playing football with all of them when I was in fourth, fifth and … [Read more...] about ‘I grew up with all of those kids’: Ankeny’s Cox to face former classmates in 4A final

Ankeny volleyball star Schrader named state’s player of the year by IGCA

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2020 has been the year of COVID-19. It has also been the year of Phyona Schrader. The senior setter led the Ankeny volleyball team to the Class 5A state championship earlier this month. She was selected the captain of the all-tournament team. Now, Schrader has received more honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. She was named to the Elite … [Read more...] about Ankeny volleyball star Schrader named state’s player of the year by IGCA