Ankeny Fanatic

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Fall

Hawkettes, Jaguars suffer back-to-back losses to Valley at Centennial Invite

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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

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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

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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

Hawkettes rally past Dowling Catholic to win DC-G Invitational crown

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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

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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’

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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