Despite some heavy losses to graduation, the Ankeny football team isn't starting over from scratch. The Hawks return several key players from a team that posted a 6-5 record and reached the Class 5A quarterfinals, including a trio of all-staters. "This might be the best looking team I've had getting off the bus, but we've got a lot of guys who haven't … [Read more...] about All-staters Clark, Larmie, Whitinger give Ankeny football team strong nucleus
Fall
‘I think we will surprise a lot of people’: Hawks boast high hopes despite losses
Ankeny boys' cross country coach Jon Lindaman has been in this situation before. Lindaman will have to replace two-time Class 4A state champion Ethan Zuber, who is now competing for Missouri. Zuber led the Hawks to an eighth-place finish a year ago after helping them to back-to-back third-place finishes in 2022-23. It won't be easy, but at least … [Read more...] about ‘I think we will surprise a lot of people’: Hawks boast high hopes despite losses
‘You go, I go’: Hawkettes hope to continue recent success by stressing teamwork
The Ankeny girls' cross country team has been remarkably consistent over the last few years. The Hawkettes placed seventh in last year's Class 4A state meet with 195 points. It was the team's third straight seventh-place finish after placing sixth in 2021, which was the program's highest finish since taking fifth in 1988. However, Ankeny coach TJ … [Read more...] about ‘You go, I go’: Hawkettes hope to continue recent success by stressing teamwork
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Daniel Larmie, Ankeny football
Senior running back Daniel Larmie is one of three returning all-state players for the Ankeny football team. He helped the Hawks to a 6-5 record and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals last season. Larmie rushed for 1,208 yards and 11 touchdowns on 186 carries while also catching 11 passes for 56 yards as a junior. He was named to the Class 5A second team … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Daniel Larmie, Ankeny football
‘I see great things to come’: Hawkettes to rebuild around Ellison, Risk, Steinkamp
The Ankeny volleyball team has been a perennial contender in Class 5A. The Hawkettes advanced to the state tournament last season for the seventh consecutive year. They lost in the quarterfinals to CIML Conference rival Waukee Northwest, which then outlasted Ankeny Centennial in the semifinals before falling to Pleasant Valley in four sets in the Class 5A … [Read more...] about ‘I see great things to come’: Hawkettes to rebuild around Ellison, Risk, Steinkamp
Jaguars are No. 4, Hawkettes No. 9 in Class 5A preseason volleyball rankings
Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are ranked in the top 10 of the Class 5A preseason volleyball rankings from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Jaguars, who will host Indianola in their season opener on Monday, are ranked fourth. The Hawkettes, who will kick off the season by hosting the Ankeny Quadrangular on Tuesday, are ninth. Here is … [Read more...] about Jaguars are No. 4, Hawkettes No. 9 in Class 5A preseason volleyball rankings
Valley shoots 286 to beat Centennial, AHS golfers in triangular meet at Willow Creek
The Valley boys' golf team capitalized on a home-course advantage to win a CIML Conference triangular meet against Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial on Wednesday at Willow Creek. The Tigers posted a 286 total, while Centennial shot a 298 and earned a win over Ankeny, which finished with a score of 312. The Jaguars are now 1-3 in the conference, and the Hawks … [Read more...] about Valley shoots 286 to beat Centennial, AHS golfers in triangular meet at Willow Creek
Centennial golfers place 3rd, Hawks open season with 6th-place finish at Peck Invite
The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf squad placed third in the Jesse Peck Invitational on Monday at Briarwood Golf Club, while defending champion Ankeny finished sixth in the eight-team field. The Jaguars posted a 300 total on their home course. Indianola won the meet with a 294, while Dallas Center-Grimes took second with a 297. "I have so many positive … [Read more...] about Centennial golfers place 3rd, Hawks open season with 6th-place finish at Peck Invite
Iowa Association of Track Coaches’ preseason cross country rankings are out
The preseason cross country rankings have been released by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. Here is the complete top 20 for both the girls and boys in Class 4A: Girls 1. Johnston 2. Pleasant Valley 3. Waukee Northwest 4. Waukee 5. Iowa City High 6. Cedar Falls 7. Dubuque Senior 8. ANKENY 9. Valley 10. Dubuque … [Read more...] about Iowa Association of Track Coaches’ preseason cross country rankings are out
‘This team has a lot of potential’: Ankeny golfers lack experience but not talent
Longtime Ankeny boys' golf coach Mike Weddingfeld faces a major rebuilding task in 2025. Weddingfeld will have to replace several seniors from last year's team, including a trio of standouts in Duncan Beelner, Evan Hodapp and his son, Caden. Those three were stalwarts on the varsity squad over the last few seasons. Beelner tied for 12th in last year's … [Read more...] about ‘This team has a lot of potential’: Ankeny golfers lack experience but not talent
IHSAA announces football schedules for 2025, 2026: Hawks, Jags to play in Week 4
The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced the football schedules for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will play each other in Week 4 both years. Here are the complete schedules for both the Hawks and Jaguars: 2025 Ankeny (Group 3) Aug. 29: Waukee Northwest Sept. 5: at Waukee Sept. 12: Des Moines … [Read more...] about IHSAA announces football schedules for 2025, 2026: Hawks, Jags to play in Week 4
A CHANGE OF PLANS: Ankeny’s Lindaman to join women’s rowing program at Kansas
When Ankeny swimmer Gracie Lindaman committed to join the women's rowing program at Iowa, she thought she'd be spending the next four years of her life in Iowa City. "I loved their staff, had some great connections with some of the other freshmen recruits, and I was familiar with campus," Lindaman said. Everything changed, though, just 24 hours before … [Read more...] about A CHANGE OF PLANS: Ankeny’s Lindaman to join women’s rowing program at Kansas
Ankeny’s Bernholtz to join teammate Hill in Iowa Central’s football recruiting class
Karsten Bernholtz didn't join the Ankeny football team until his senior year. The defensive end made enough of an impact, though, to earn an opportunity to take his skills to the next level. Bernholtz has committed to play next year for Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. He becomes the second Hawk in the Tritons' recruiting class, following … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Bernholtz to join teammate Hill in Iowa Central’s football recruiting class
‘They all showed they cared’: Iowa Central coaches convince Hill to become a Triton
Ankeny linebacker Tristan Hill has committed to play football at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Hill helped the Hawks to a 6-5 record and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals last season. "I looked at quite a few schools all the way from JUCO and NAIA up to D2 so I got to experience the different levels a little bit throughout my … [Read more...] about ‘They all showed they cared’: Iowa Central coaches convince Hill to become a Triton
Group assignments for 2025 and 2026 football seasons announced by IHSAA
Following Wednesday morning’s Zoom meeting of the IHSAA Board of Control, district and group assignments for the 2025 and 2026 football seasons are now available. Districts and Class 5A groups are effective for a two-year cycle. This will be the second cycle with a socioeconomic factor added for football classifications. Approved in 2023 by the State … [Read more...] about Group assignments for 2025 and 2026 football seasons announced by IHSAA
‘I really like the culture that Central has’: Ankeny’s Dorfler to play football for Dutch
Ankeny offensive lineman Jack Dorfler has committed to play football next year at Central College. Dorfler announced his future plans on social media Friday. "It's a relief that I made my decision," he said. Dorfler helped Ankeny to a 6-5 record last season. The Hawks reached the Class 5A quarterfinals. Dorfler, who was named to the District 6 … [Read more...] about ‘I really like the culture that Central has’: Ankeny’s Dorfler to play football for Dutch
Missouri recruit Zuber repeats as Iowa’s Gatorade cross country runner of the year
Two-time state champion Ethan Zuber of Ankeny has been named Iowa's Gatorade cross country runner of the year for the second straight season. The senior pulled away in the final half mile to defend his boys' Class 4A title on Nov. 1 at Fort Dodge. He posted a time of 15:01.2 in the 5K race. Zuber was part of the lead pack for the first two miles before … [Read more...] about Missouri recruit Zuber repeats as Iowa’s Gatorade cross country runner of the year
‘Coe checked all my boxes’: Ankeny’s Weddingfeld to play golf for Kohawks
Ankeny senior Caden Weddingfeld will continue his golf career at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. Weddingfeld, the son of longtime Ankeny coach Mike Weddingfeld, said he was really impressed by Eric Karius--who coaches both the men's and women's teams at Coe. "I had talked to several different coaches, but just found that the Coe coach was the most active … [Read more...] about ‘Coe checked all my boxes’: Ankeny’s Weddingfeld to play golf for Kohawks
‘It’s super nice to stay close to home’: Randolph commits to play for Grand View
Ankeny senior Mason Randolph played on both sides of the ball during his high school football career. His future, though, appears to be as a defensive back. Randolph has verbally committed to play for Grand View, which recruited him to become a part of the Vikings' secondary. "It was a tough decision, but the right one," said … [Read more...] about ‘It’s super nice to stay close to home’: Randolph commits to play for Grand View
‘I loved the bond that their players have’: Ankeny’s Johnson commits to Quincy
"Once a Hawk, Always a Hawk." For Ankeny defensive back Mykal Johnson, that phrase actually describes his transition next year to the collegiate level. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound senior has announced his verbal commitment to play football for the Quincy University Hawks of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the bond that their players have’: Ankeny’s Johnson commits to Quincy