Ankeny Fanatic

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Hawks

Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, including a pair of all-Americans

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The cupboard is hardly bare, but the Ankeny boys' swimming team faces what appears to be a rebuilding season this winter. The Hawks have been one of the state's top programs in recent years, capturing a state title in 2019 before two consecutive runner-up finishes. But many of the standouts from those teams are gone, including Trent Frandson, an … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, including a pair of all-Americans

Kadolph, Webb-Tate, Porter earn repeat all-district first-team honors

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The state runner-up Ankeny football team landed eight players on the all-district first team and eight more on the second team. Ankeny Centennial, meanwhile, had six first-team selections and six second-team picks. The all-district teams were selected by the coaches from the following teams: Ankeny, Centennial, Ames, Marshalltown and Waukee … [Read more...] about Kadolph, Webb-Tate, Porter earn repeat all-district first-team honors

‘They played better than us on this night’: Hawks fall short in title game rematch

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(Story by Rob Gray) It hurts to watch. You’re helpless. The game is essentially decided and the opposing team is flexing and raising its arms on the sideline with 3-plus minutes left. That’s where Ankeny’s football players found themselves late in Friday night’s 24-7 rematch loss to Southeast Polk in the Class 5A championship game and — you … [Read more...] about ‘They played better than us on this night’: Hawks fall short in title game rematch

Back-to-back crowns?: Ankeny Fanatic’s prediction for the Class 5A title game

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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 seven different guests. So will Ankeny capture its second straight title and the fourth in school history? Or will Southeast Polk claim its first championship? The Hawks have won the last … [Read more...] about Back-to-back crowns?: Ankeny Fanatic’s prediction for the Class 5A title game

Reynolds earns repeat all-state honors; ACA’s Quick named to Class 1A 3rd team

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Ankeny volleyball standout Ava Reynolds has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association for the second year in a row. Reynolds,a senior outside hitter, led the Hawkettes to a 40-6 record and a semifinal appearance in the Class 5A state tournament. She racked up a team-high 435 kills while posting a .341 hitting … [Read more...] about Reynolds earns repeat all-state honors; ACA’s Quick named to Class 1A 3rd team

‘I felt so at peace with Northwestern’: Ankeny’s Billings to play for Red Raiders

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Ankeny softball player Ashtyn Billings is headed to Orange City. The senior pitcher has verbally committed to play for Northwestern College. She picked the Red Raiders over Simpson College and a few junior colleges. "It was not a tough decision for me," said Billings. "I felt so at peace with Northwestern the second I set foot on campus!" Billings … [Read more...] about ‘I felt so at peace with Northwestern’: Ankeny’s Billings to play for Red Raiders

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sophie Loeffler, Ankeny girls’ swimming

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Freshman Sophie Loeffler helped the Ankeny girls' swimming to a fifth-place finish in the state meet on Saturday at Marshalltown. She placed sixth in the 200 freestyle (1:55.68) and 11th in the 500 freestyle (5:13.43). Loeffler helped the Hawkettes to a ninth-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay, swimming the anchor leg in 24.42 seconds. She swam the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Sophie Loeffler, Ankeny girls’ swimming

Stout: 5th-place finish at state ‘a huge accomplishment’ for Ankeny swimmers

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team has been ranked among the top five squads in the state most of the season. The Hawkettes capped off a successful campaign with a fifth-place finish in the state meet on Saturday at Marshalltown. They finished with 168 points, edging CIML rival Johnston by six points for fifth place. "Finishing fifth was a huge … [Read more...] about Stout: 5th-place finish at state ‘a huge accomplishment’ for Ankeny swimmers

‘We just wanted to avenge that loss’: Hawks pound Valley, soar into title game

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Nobody can blame Mason Morrow if he has some nightmares this week. The Valley quarterback was running for his life Friday all over the UNI-Dome turf. Ankeny used a suffocating defensive effort to limit Morrow and the Tigers to 248 total yards and rolled to a 35-13 victory in the Class 5A semifinals at Cedar Falls. The Hawks avenged an earlier 38-35 … [Read more...] about ‘We just wanted to avenge that loss’: Hawks pound Valley, soar into title game

Kadolph, Hawks avenge loss to Valley, will play S.E. Polk for Class 5A crown

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Colin Kadolph and the Ankeny football team are one win away from defending their state title. Kadolph rushed for 183 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead the Hawks to a 35-13 victory over Valley in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. "He makes me so proud," Ankeny defensive lineman Braden Simonsen said of Kadolph. "He … [Read more...] about Kadolph, Hawks avenge loss to Valley, will play S.E. Polk for Class 5A crown

‘I just loved the coaching staff’: Ankeny’s Anderson to wrestle for Northern Iowa

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Two-time state wrestling champion Trever Anderson of Ankeny has made his college plans. Anderson verbally committed to Northern Iowa on Friday. He picked the Panthers over Iowa, Northern Illinois and Edinboro. "It was a tough decision at first because I really liked all the programs that were recruiting me," Anderson said. Anderson boasts a career … [Read more...] about ‘I just loved the coaching staff’: Ankeny’s Anderson to wrestle for Northern Iowa

Peters dives to 6th-place finish; 4 Ankeny swimmers advance to finals in 2 events

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The Ankeny girls' swimming team sits in eighth place with 13 points after the diving portion of the state meet on Friday at Marshalltown. Senior Erica Peters capped off her high school career with a second consecutive sixth-place finish. She scored a total of 447.55 points in the 11-dive event. "I'm pretty happy," said Peters. "I definitely wanted a … [Read more...] about Peters dives to 6th-place finish; 4 Ankeny swimmers advance to finals in 2 events

Ankeny is No. 9 in Class 3A preseason rankings from IAwrestle.com

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The Ankeny wrestling team is ninth in Class 3A in the preseason rankings from IAwrestle.com. The Hawks boast eight ranked individuals, while Ankeny Centennial has six. Ankeny's highest ranked wrestler is two-time state champion Trever Anderson. Anderson, who won the 106-pound title as a freshman in 2019 and the 120-pound crown last season, is ranked … [Read more...] about Ankeny is No. 9 in Class 3A preseason rankings from IAwrestle.com

Ankeny swimmers could battle CIML rival Dowling for 4th place at state meet

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It appears that this year's girls' state swimming meet is shaping up to be a three-team race. On paper, anyway. Based on the seeds going into the state meet--which will be held on Friday and Saturday at Marshalltown--it looks like Ames, Iowa City West and Waukee will fight for the crown. Ankeny could battle CIML rival Dowling Catholic for fourth … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers could battle CIML rival Dowling for 4th place at state meet

A title game rematch?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

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The Class 5A football playoffs are down to the Final Four, and that means it's time to head to the Dome. Ankeny, last year's Class 4A champion, is back in the semifinals for the second straight year along with Southeast Polk, last year's runner-up. The Hawks and Rams will be joined at the Dome by two other traditional powers, Valley and Iowa City … [Read more...] about A title game rematch?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Olivia Harpenau, Ankeny volleyball

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Senior middle hitter Olivia Harpenau helped the Ankeny volleyball team to a 40-6 record this season. She had three kills and a match-high five blocks on Wednesday in the Hawkettes' loss to Pleasant Valley in the Class 5A semifinals at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids. Harpenau placed third on the team with 195 kills. She was second among the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Olivia Harpenau, Ankeny volleyball