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
Fall
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
Walker to join Division III progam that has won 12 national titles since 1987
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
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
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 118
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. Publisher Dan Holm discusses Ankeny Fanatic's all-time Ankeny volleyball team with former Ankeny coach Terry Carlson as well as several of Ankeny's all-time greats--Jaali Winters, Kristin Belzung, Sarah Oexmann, Kylee Macke and Megan Ballenger. Amy … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 118
‘It was a no-brainer’: Ankeny linebacker Manus to play for Missouri Western
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Podcast: Episode 117
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. Activities Directors Andy Umthun of Ankeny and Scott Garvis of Ankeny Centennial discuss the financial challenges facing their departments due to the COVID-19 pandemic with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also interviews wide receiver Brady … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 117
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jase Bauer, Ankeny football
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
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
VIDEO: Hawks roll past No. 1 S.E. Polk for their third state title
HAIL TO THE VICTORS!
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
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