Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Fall

Ankeny’s Zuber named Iowa’s Gatorade cross country runner of the year

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Ankeny junior Ethan Zuber has been named Iowa's Gatorade cross country runner of the year. Zuber won the Class 4A state title last fall, posting a time of 15 minutes 7.7 seconds on the 5k course at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. He pulled away from Jaden Merrick of Cedar Falls in the final mile to win the race by about 6 seconds. Zuber had lost to … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Zuber named Iowa’s Gatorade cross country runner of the year

Bauer named Class 5A Coach of the Year by Iowa Football Coaches Association

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With only five returning starters, the Ankeny football team entered last season with some tempered expectations. Coach Jeff Bauer never believed them, though. Bauer guided the Hawks to a 9-4 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A in his first season as head coach. Now, he has been named the Class 5A Coach of the Year by the Iowa Football Coaches … [Read more...] about Bauer named Class 5A Coach of the Year by Iowa Football Coaches Association

Ex-Ankeny setter Wallace transfers from William Jewell to Pittsburg State

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By all accounts, former Ankeny volleyball standout Jesa Wallace had a productive freshman season at William Jewell College. She wasn't sure, though, if the Cardinals would even field a team next year. "Entering the transfer portal definitely wasn’t on my radar, but there was a lot of things going on that were out of my control at Jewell," said Wallace, … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny setter Wallace transfers from William Jewell to Pittsburg State

‘I love the coaching staff’: Parton to join former teammates on UNI swim squad

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Ankeny swimmer Josie Parton will be joining some of her former teammates on the Northern Iowa women's swimming and diving squad. Parton's decision was announced on Sunday on social media. "I love the coaching staff, and the girls on the team are all so welcoming," said Parton. "I also loved the size of the campus and what it has to offer academically … [Read more...] about ‘I love the coaching staff’: Parton to join former teammates on UNI swim squad

‘I felt like that’s where I belonged’: Squires to run for Dordt University

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Ankeny senior Abel Squires will be taking his talents to Sioux Center. The boys' cross country and track standout announced his commitment to Dordt University on Monday. "I've been thinking and praying a lot about this decision and Dordt is where I feel God is leading me for the next step of my academic, spiritual and athletic journey," Squires tweeted … [Read more...] about ‘I felt like that’s where I belonged’: Squires to run for Dordt University

Six Ankeny players, four Centennial stars earn IPSWA all-state football honors

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Six Ankeny football players and four more from Ankeny Centennial have earned all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. The teams were selected by the IPSWA in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Senior receiver Devon Akers, junior offensive lineman Lukis Beroth, senior linebacker Connor Kayser and senior … [Read more...] about Six Ankeny players, four Centennial stars earn IPSWA all-state football honors

‘There wasn’t anything about NIU that I didn’t like’: Akers commits to Huskies

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Ankeny wide receiver Devon Akers has verbally committed to play football at Northern Illinois. The 6-foot-6 Akers blossomed into one of the state's best deep-ball threats this season, catching 52 passes for 959 yards and eight touchdowns. He ranked second in Class 5A and 12th in the entire state in receiving yards. Akers helped Ankeny to a 9-4 record … [Read more...] about ‘There wasn’t anything about NIU that I didn’t like’: Akers commits to Huskies

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caden Henkes, Ankeny football

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Junior running back Caden Henkes accounted for 105 total yards and two touchdowns in the Ankeny football team's 49-21 loss to top-ranked Southeast Polk in the Class 5A championship game on Friday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. He ran eight times for 28 yards, including an 8-yard score late in the third quarter, and also caught four passes for 77 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Caden Henkes, Ankeny football

Hawks finish memorable postseason journey with 49-21 loss in 5A title game

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Ankeny couldn't have asked for a better start in Friday's Class 5A championship football game. Unfortunately, the Hawks needed a lot more than a 90-yard kickoff return from Evan Irlmeier to knock off mighty Southeast Polk at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The top-ranked Rams got five touchdown runs from CJ Phillip, forced six Ankeny turnovers and rolled … [Read more...] about Hawks finish memorable postseason journey with 49-21 loss in 5A title game

Can Hawks dethrone S.E. Polk? Here is Fanatic’s prediction for Class 5A final

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If you missed this week's Ankeny Fanatic podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, check it out. We broke down Friday night's Class 5A championship game with eight different guests, including both of Ankeny's coordinators, offensive tackle Lukis Beroth and defensive back Kinnick Vos. So will the Hawks capture their second title in four years and … [Read more...] about Can Hawks dethrone S.E. Polk? Here is Fanatic’s prediction for Class 5A final

Centennial trio, Ankeny quartet receive all-state volleyball honors from IGCA

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Several volleyball players from Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have received postseason honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association and the coaches in the CIML Conference. Centennial standouts Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt were both selected to the Class 5A all-state first team by the IGCA. The junior outside hitters led the Jaguars to a 31-7 record … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny quartet receive all-state volleyball honors from IGCA

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jacob Mohrfeld, Ankeny football

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Senior defensive back Jacob Mohrfeld made four tackles, blocked a field goal and intercepted a pass to help the Ankeny football team to a 10-7 victory over Ankeny Centennial in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday at the UNI-Dome. For the season, Mohrfeld has racked up 36.5 tackles for the 9-3 Hawks, including 28 solo stops. He has recorded six … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Jacob Mohrfeld, Ankeny football

Ankeny’s Peck takes 3rd in 200 individual medley, leads team to 9th-place finish

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In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes. It might be time to add a top-10 finish for the Ankeny girls' swimming team to that famous quote by Benjamin Franklin. Ankeny placed ninth in the state meet on Saturday at the Marshalltown YMCA with 105 points. It was the team's 10th consecutive top-10 finish and its first under coach Dustin … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Peck takes 3rd in 200 individual medley, leads team to 9th-place finish

‘THAT WAS A BATTLE’: Ankeny edges Jaguars again, earns shot to play for title

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Ankeny's Jacob Mohrfeld couldn't believe what had just happened at the UNI-Dome. "It doesn't feel real," Mohrfeld said. "I can't believe it, man. It's crazy." The senior defensive back blocked a field goal and had one of his team's three interceptions as the Hawks knocked off crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, 10-7, in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday … [Read more...] about ‘THAT WAS A BATTLE’: Ankeny edges Jaguars again, earns shot to play for title

Ankeny swimmers advance to state meet finals in 5 of 8 individual events

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team advanced to Saturday's finals at the state meet in five of the eight individual events. Seniors Anja Peck and Josie Parton both qualified in two events during Friday's preliminaries at the Marshalltown YMCA. Junior Sophie Loeffler was the Hawkettes' other individual qualifier. Peck qualified for the "A" final in the 200 … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers advance to state meet finals in 5 of 8 individual events

An analysis of the Jag-Hawk showdown in Class 5A semifinals at UNI-Dome

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For only the second time ever, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial football teams will meet in the playoffs. In 2016, the Jaguars posted a 34-24 victory in the opening round. This time, the stakes will be considerably higher. The crosstown rivals will collide under the bright lights of the UNI-Dome in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday. Kickoff is at 7 … [Read more...] about An analysis of the Jag-Hawk showdown in Class 5A semifinals at UNI-Dome

Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 239 (Part 2)

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In part two of the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down Friday's Jag-Hawk showdown in the Class 5A semifinals at the UNI-Dome with junior running back Braeden Jackson and senior defensive back Nate Christiansen of Ankeny Centennial and junior quarterback Luke Anderson and … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 239 (Part 2)