Ankeny Fanatic

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Hawks

Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

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Chalk up another postseason honor for the duo of Cleao Murray and Jenna Pitz. The two girls' basketball standouts have both received all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Murray, a senior guard at Ankeny Centennial, was named to the Class 5A second team. Pitz, a junior guard at Ankeny, was a third-team pick. Both players were … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

‘I’m so excited’: Kohut Lynch hired to take over Ankeny volleyball program

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Dani Kohut Lynch has some big shoes to fill. Fortunately, she has some big shoes of her own. Kohut Lynch, a former St. Cloud State player and Luther College head coach, has been hired to replace legendary Ankeny volleyball coach Dave Whims. "I'm so excited," said Kohut Lynch. "The tradition at Ankeny is so rich. I don't have to re-invent the wheel … [Read more...] about ‘I’m so excited’: Kohut Lynch hired to take over Ankeny volleyball program

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

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When the Class 4A state tournament tips off on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena, a lot of eyes will be focused on standout point guard Tamin Lipsey of Ames. The top-ranked Little Cyclones were a prohibitive favorite to capture the Class 4A crown before Lipsey suffered a hamstring injury during a win at Marshalltown on Feb. 1. The Iowa State recruit then sat … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 4A quarterfinals

Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association

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Girls' basketball standouts Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny have received all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. Murray, a senior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. Pitz, a junior guard, was a third-team selection. Murray led the Jaguars to a 20-4 record and a repeat appearance in the Class … [Read more...] about Murray, Pitz earn all-state honors from Iowa Print Sports Writers Association

Elite sprinter Miller one of many strengths for Ankeny boys’ track team

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Tyrese Miller and the Ankeny boys' track team are ready to make some noise this season. Miller, one of the state's top sprinters, helped the Hawks to a 15th-place finish in last year's Class 4A state meet. He is among the team's 11 returning state qualifiers. "Tyrese had a great junior season and is poised to have a great senior campaign," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Elite sprinter Miller one of many strengths for Ankeny boys’ track team

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior post player Braden Simonsen has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 19-4 record and a berth in this week's Class 4A state tournament. He had four points, five rebounds and two blocks as the Hawks defeated Waukee, 62-57, in a substate final on Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes. Simonsen is averaging 6.3 points and 3.9 rebounds … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks

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Guards Cleao Murray of Ankeny Centennial and Jenna Pitz of Ankeny were both unanimous picks to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's girls' basketball coaches. Murray and Pitz led their teams to a share of the conference title this season. Ankeny and Centennial tied for the crown with Waukee Northwest. Murray, a senior, helped … [Read more...] about Unanimous picks Murray, Pitz joined on all-conference first team by White, Jacks

‘It was a grind’: Ankeny boys top Warriors, will play Johnston in 4A quarterfinals

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A year ago, the Waukee boys' basketball team ended Ankeny's bid for a second consecutive Class 4A state title with a 74-54 victory in a substate final. On Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes, the ninth-ranked Hawks returned the favor. Ankeny pulled away in the third quarter and then held on to beat the defending state champion Warriors, 62-57, in a … [Read more...] about ‘It was a grind’: Ankeny boys top Warriors, will play Johnston in 4A quarterfinals

‘It feels so good’: Hawks hold off Waukee, advance to state tourney for 17th time

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the 17th time. The ninth-ranked Hawks posted a 62-57 victory over Waukee in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Dallas Center-Grimes. The game featured 13 lead changes. "It feels so good going back to state," said Ankeny junior Karson Wehde, whose basket early in the third … [Read more...] about ‘It feels so good’: Hawks hold off Waukee, advance to state tourney for 17th time

‘We’re excited to move on’: Hawks get off to fast start, roll past Sioux City West

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There were several upsets on Friday night in the semifinal round of the boys' Class 4A substate basketball tournaments. Ninth-ranked Ankeny refused to be one of the victims. The Hawks jumped out to a 24-7 lead in the first quarter and went on to defeat visiting Sioux City West, 83-48, in a Substate 1 matchup. "You've really got to establish who you … [Read more...] about ‘We’re excited to move on’: Hawks get off to fast start, roll past Sioux City West

Centennial’s Murray joins Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz on Class 5A West all-district team

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Ankeny Centennial senior Cleao Murray has been named to the Class 5A West all-district girls' basketball team along with Ankeny standouts Savannah Gage and Jenna Pitz. The teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Murray, a 5-foot-8 guard, has helped the Jaguars to a 20-3 record and a berth in next week's Class 5A state tournament at … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Murray joins Ankeny’s Gage, Pitz on Class 5A West all-district team

HAWKETTE HEARTBREAK: Davison’s buzzer-beater ends Ankeny’s season

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Dru McAnelly is going to remember the journey more than the end result. The Ankeny girls' basketball coach tried to keep his emotions in check after his team closed out an historic season with a heartbreaking loss on Wednesday. "I told (the players) after the game that this is the group that got this program over the hump," said McAnelly. "We've … [Read more...] about HAWKETTE HEARTBREAK: Davison’s buzzer-beater ends Ankeny’s season

Jaguars earn another trip to state; Ankeny falls to Roughriders on buzzer-beater

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is headed to Wells Fargo Arena for the second straight year. The Jaguars were nearly joined by crosstown rival Ankeny. Third-ranked Centennial held off No. 13 Sioux City East, 46-41, in a Class 5A regional final on Wednesday at Centennial. The Jaguars (20-3) advanced to the state tournament for the fourth … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn another trip to state; Ankeny falls to Roughriders on buzzer-beater

‘They consistently win’: Ankeny lineman Thomas to play football at Central

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Ankeny lineman Ethan Thomas has committed to play football at Central College. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Thomas announced his decision via Twitter on Tuesday. He helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A last season. "I looked at Morningside, St. Ambrose and Loras as well as Central," said Thomas. "I liked the facilities, both … [Read more...] about ‘They consistently win’: Ankeny lineman Thomas to play football at Central

Doruska bowls 632 series, places 19th in Class 3A individual state tournament

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Ankeny's Aidan Doruska finished in 19th place in the Class 3A individual boys' state bowling tournament on Monday at Maple Lanes Bowling Center in Waterloo. Doruska rolled a three-game series of 632 in the preliminaries. After bowling a 183 in his first game, he improved to a 215 in his second game and to a 234 in his final game. "Aidan bowled amazing, … [Read more...] about Doruska bowls 632 series, places 19th in Class 3A individual state tournament

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jace Anderson, Ankeny wrestling

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Ankeny junior Jace Anderson placed fourth at 145 pounds in the Class 3A state wrestling tournament on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. He finished the season with a 36-8 record. Anderson is a three-time state qualifier and a two-time placewinner for the Hawks. He took seventh at 138 as a sophomore. Here is some inside info on Anderson: Congratulations … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jace Anderson, Ankeny wrestling

‘It just didn’t work out’: Anderson’s quest to make history ends with overtime loss

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More often than not, Ankeny wrestler Trever Anderson finds a way to come out on top. On Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena, Anderson was looking to become the first three-time state champion in school history. But for one of the few times in his high school career, he couldn't find the answers he needed. Top-ranked Carter Freeman of Waukee … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t work out’: Anderson’s quest to make history ends with overtime loss