Ankeny football star Brody Brecht has verbally committed to play for Iowa. Brecht, a junior wide receiver, announced his decision via Twitter on Friday. "This process has been truly amazing and unforgettable," Brecht tweeted. "I would first like to thank God. Without him none of this would be possible. I would then like to thank my parents, sister and … [Read more...] about COMMITTED: Brecht chooses Hawkeyes
Fall
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Malea Daugherty, Ankeny senior
Ankeny senior Malea Daugherty has been a standout in three sports--track, volleyball and softball--during her high school career. She helped the Hawkettes reach the semifinals of the Class 5A state volleyball tournament last fall. On the track, Daugherty ran on Ankeny's eighth-place shuttle hurdle relay at last year's Class 4A state meet. She also ran on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Malea Daugherty, Ankeny senior
Prized Ankeny football recruit Brecht plans to make decision by end of June
Ankeny football star Brody Brecht has narrowed his list of schools down to Iowa and Iowa State. Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm caught up with the junior receiver, who is one of the state's top prospects in the Class of 2021, to get an update on his recruitment. Well Brody, you previously said you were hoping to commit after taking your official visits … [Read more...] about Prized Ankeny football recruit Brecht plans to make decision by end of June
Ankeny’s Kriebs to join Northern Iowa’s football program as preferred walk-on
Ankeny defensive lineman Jack Kriebs wanted to play football at the highest level that he could. That's why Kriebs turned down offers from some smaller schools and accepted an invitation to join Northern Iowa's program as a preferred walk-on. "I had some offers from jucos like Iowa Western and Iowa Central and NAIA but nothing DI," said Kriebs. "I … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Kriebs to join Northern Iowa’s football program as preferred walk-on
Ankeny, Dowling share No. 1 spot in Gazette’s offseason football rankings
The expectations for the Ankeny football team in the 2020 season were already going to be high. Now, they might be going through the roof. Ankeny has earned a co-No. 1 ranking along with seven-time defending state champion Dowling Catholic in Class 4A in the Cedar Rapids Gazette's offseason rankings. Both teams scored 54 poll points from a panel of six … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Dowling share No. 1 spot in Gazette’s offseason football rankings
Ankeny two-sport star Brecht narrows his list of schools to Iowa, Iowa State
Ankeny football and baseball star Brody Brecht has decided to stay close to home. The junior wide receiver and hard-throwing pitcher announced on Twitter Thursday that he has narrowed his list of schools to Iowa and Iowa State. "Appreciate all the schools who have believed in me, but I will be focusing on these two," Brecht tweeted. Iowa's football … [Read more...] about Ankeny two-sport star Brecht narrows his list of schools to Iowa, Iowa State
IHSAA introduces success model for Class 4A football in 2020
The Iowa High School Athletic Association has announced some changes for the upcoming football season, including a success model that will result in Class 4A being trimmed from 42 schools down to 40. The state is hoping to provide better competitive balance among Iowa's largest schools. Des Moines Hoover, Mason City and Burlington have dropped to Class 3A … [Read more...] about IHSAA introduces success model for Class 4A football in 2020
Bauer, Brecht, Petersen named to IPSWA’s Class 4A all-state first team
Seven Ankeny players and four more from Ankeny Centennial have received all-state football honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. The teams were selected by print sports writers in Iowa during a meeting on Nov. 23. Junior wide receiver Brody Brecht and junior quarterback Jase Bauer of Ankeny were both named to the Class 4A first team along … [Read more...] about Bauer, Brecht, Petersen named to IPSWA’s Class 4A all-state first team
Centennial’s Robinson, Ankeny’s Schrader named to Elite all-state team
Volleball standouts Devyn Robinson of Ankeny Centennial and Phyona Schrader of Ankeny have been named to a pair of all-state teams by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Robinson, a senior middle hitter, was selected to the Elite all-state team and the Class 5A first team for the third consecutive year. She was joined on both squads by Schrader, a junior … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Robinson, Ankeny’s Schrader named to Elite all-state team
Gates, Bauer, Manus earn repeat all-district first-team honors
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial football teams each had 15 players receive all-district honors from the coaches in their respective districts. The Jaguars, who won the Class 4A District 2 title, had seven first-team selections and seven more on the second team. Ankeny had six first-team picks and six more on the second team in District 1. Centennial … [Read more...] about Gates, Bauer, Manus earn repeat all-district first-team honors
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 72
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. This week's guests were Ankeny girls' swimming standout Jasmine Rumley, newly inducted volleyball Hall of Famer Annie Stoessel, and head coach Dave Whims and middle hitter McKenna Scheib of the Ankeny volleyball team. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 72
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Colin Riggs, Ankeny football
Junior quarterback Colin Riggs helped the Ankeny football team to a 7-4 record this season. Riggs completed 10-of-12 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns while serving as the backup to Jase Bauer. He also ran five times for 47 yards and another score. Riggs made his presence felt during the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs, when he replaced … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Colin Riggs, Ankeny football
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Phyona Schrader, Ankeny volleyball
Junior setter Phyona Schrader led the fourth-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament last week at Cedar Rapids. She was named to the all-tournament team. Schrader racked up 511 assists this season. She also had 189 kills, 58 aces, 163 digs and 73 blocks. Schrader was unanimously selected to the CIML Central … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Phyona Schrader, Ankeny volleyball
Ankeny’s Schrader named to Class 5A all-tournament team
Ankeny's Phyona Schrader has been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team at the state volleyball tournament in Cedar Rapids. The junior setter led the fourth-ranked Hawkettes to a sweep over No. 5 Council Bluffs Lincoln in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. She had nine kills, 25 assists, six blocks, six digs and three aces in the win. Schrader had 30 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Schrader named to Class 5A all-tournament team
‘We’re proud of ourselves’: Ankeny takes first set before Cedar Falls rallies
The Ankeny volleyball players accomplished something on Thursday that very few teams have been able to do. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes put a legitimate scare into No. 1 Cedar Falls. Ankeny won the opening set and then jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the second set before the Tigers regrouped at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Falls rallied … [Read more...] about ‘We’re proud of ourselves’: Ankeny takes first set before Cedar Falls rallies
Hawkettes fall to No. 1 Cedar Falls in Class 5A semifinals
The Ankeny volleyball team fell to Cedar Falls in four sets in the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Thursday. This kill by Akacia Brown broke a 9-9 tie in the fourth set and sparked a 16-6 run by the Tigers to close out the match, even though the ball appeared to land out of bounds. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes fall to No. 1 Cedar Falls in Class 5A semifinals
‘We’re ready to take them on’: No. 1 Cedar Falls up next for confident Hawkettes
It was less than 20 minutes after the Ankeny volleyball team had defeated Council Bluffs Lincoln in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Tuesday. Phyona Schrader walked into the media interview room at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. She was ready to answer some questions about the Hawkettes' victory, but in the back of her … [Read more...] about ‘We’re ready to take them on’: No. 1 Cedar Falls up next for confident Hawkettes
‘We had a pretty good game plan’: Schrader, Ankeny dominate No. 5 Lynx
The Ankeny volleyball team played without one of its setters during the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Tuesday. For many squads, that would be a huge problem. But for the fourth-ranked Hawkettes, it turned out to be only a minor inconvenience. The team's primary setter, junior Phyona Schrader, took control of the offense and led … [Read more...] about ‘We had a pretty good game plan’: Schrader, Ankeny dominate No. 5 Lynx
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Malea Daugherty, Ankeny senior
Hawkettes sweep Council Bluffs Lincoln, will meet No. 1 Cedar Falls in semifinals
The Ankeny volleyball team cruised its way into the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes swept No. 5 Council Bluffs Lincoln, 25-20, 25-15, 25-18, in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. It was the 17th consecutive victory for Ankeny (37-5), which snapped a 21-match winning streak by … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Council Bluffs Lincoln, will meet No. 1 Cedar Falls in semifinals