Ankeny Fanatic

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‘Having fresh legs is a huge benefit’: Ankeny gets some rest in rout over Rails

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It took just a tick under 7 minutes into the game for Alli Macke to score off a corner kick, and the rest was history. The fifth-ranked and top-seeded Ankeny girls' soccer team set a new season-high in goals after seven different players combined for nine goals in a shutout victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in a Class … [Read more...] about ‘Having fresh legs is a huge benefit’: Ankeny gets some rest in rout over Rails

‘We came out strong right away’: Ankeny takes 4-0 lead before Dragons rally to win

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The seventh-ranked Ankeny softball team jumped out to a 4-0 lead before No. 10 Johnston rallied for a 6-4 victory in a CIML Conference game on Wednesday at Ankeny. It was the season opener for both squads. "That's what it's going to be like every night," said first-year Ankeny coach Sarah Saladino. "Whether it's a single (game) or a doubleheader, … [Read more...] about ‘We came out strong right away’: Ankeny takes 4-0 lead before Dragons rally to win

No. 2 Dragons edge Davies, Ankeny to win pitchers’ duel in CIML Conference opener

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The Ankeny baseball team took a big step forward on Wednesday. The Hawks opened CIML Conference play with a 3-1 loss to visiting Johnston, the No. 2 team in Class 4A. The Dragons (5-1) scored the go-ahead runs in the sixth inning. "It was a very well-played high school baseball game," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz, whose team dropped to 0-5 on the … [Read more...] about No. 2 Dragons edge Davies, Ankeny to win pitchers’ duel in CIML Conference opener

‘We deserve it’: Ankeny boys roll past Cedar Falls behind Benge, Wahlberg

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Cal Wahlberg and Landon Benge each scored a pair of goals to lead the Ankeny boys' soccer team to a 6-2 victory over visiting Cedar Falls in a Class 4A substate semifinal on a rainy Tuesday night. Austin Lundberg and Andrew Loder also found the net for the eighth-ranked Hawks, who matched their season-high of six goals in a win over Ames on April … [Read more...] about ‘We deserve it’: Ankeny boys roll past Cedar Falls behind Benge, Wahlberg

Petersen to resign as Centennial girls’ golf coach; Smith exits from AHS girls’ tennis

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John Petersen and Steve Smith were both hired for head coaching positions in the Ankeny school district in the spring of 2019. Now, several years later, they are both departing at the same time. Petersen is planning to resign as the Ankeny Centennial girls' golf coach. He has yet to officially submit his resignation letter, but has told his golfers of … [Read more...] about Petersen to resign as Centennial girls’ golf coach; Smith exits from AHS girls’ tennis

Centennial is No. 2, Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A in first softball rankings of season

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The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union released its first softball rankings of the season on Tuesday. Ankeny Centennial is No. 2 in Class 5A behind CIML Conference rival Waukee Northwest. The Jaguars will open their season on Tuesday night with a non-conference game at Norwalk, the No. 7 team in Class 4A. Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Centennial is No. 2, Ankeny is No. 7 in Class 5A in first softball rankings of season

Ankeny’s Victor, Weichers eliminated from boys’ Class 2A state doubles tournament

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The Ankeny doubles team of Dylan Victor and Garrett Weichers was eliminated from the boys' Class 2A state tennis tournament on Tuesday at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City. Victor and Weichers opened the tournament with a 6-1, 6-4 loss to Brock Davis and Preston Haefner of Cedar Rapids Washington. The Hawks played their best tennis in … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Victor, Weichers eliminated from boys’ Class 2A state doubles tournament

‘We’ve played some good teams’: City High, C.R. Kennedy extend Hawks’ skid

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The slow start has continued for the Ankeny baseball team. After dropping both games of a doubleheader against fifth-ranked Pleasant Valley on Thursday, the Hawks traveled to Cedar Rapids on Saturday to face two more ranked opponents. Ankeny dropped an 8-1 decision to Iowa City High, the No. 1 team in the preseason rankings. The Hawks then fell to 0-4 … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve played some good teams’: City High, C.R. Kennedy extend Hawks’ skid

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Morgan Fisher, Ankeny girls’ track

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Morgan Fisher helped the Ankeny girls' track team to a fifth-place finish in the Class 4A state meet Thursday through Saturday at Drake Stadium. Fisher placed fourth in the 400 in 56.61 seconds and finished 11th in the 200 in 25.58. She also ran on the runner-up distance medley and fourth-place 4x400 relays. As she now makes the transition to the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Morgan Fisher, Ankeny girls’ track

‘I love these guys to death’: Ankeny boys overcome adversity to defend 4A crown

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Landon Pote proudly held on to the Class 4A championship trophy as his teammates on the Ankeny boys' track squad crowded around him on the infield turf at Drake Stadium. The Hawks had just won a second consecutive state title on Saturday in emphatic fashion. "I asked God for three things: for high jump to go better than last year, for shuttle hurdle to … [Read more...] about ‘I love these guys to death’: Ankeny boys overcome adversity to defend 4A crown

‘We could not be more proud’: Coaches praise efforts by Hawkettes, Jaguars

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Senior Drew Beason and her Ankeny teammates left it all out on the track Saturday. Their crosstown rivals from Ankeny Centennial did the same. Both the Hawkettes and Jaguars walked away from the girls' Class 4A state meet at Drake Stadium feeling good about what they accomplished. "We could not be more proud of this team and how they performed," … [Read more...] about ‘We could not be more proud’: Coaches praise efforts by Hawkettes, Jaguars

Several starters are back as Saladino takes over Hawkettes’ softball program

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The move across the diamond to the third base coach's box has been a smooth one for Ankeny softball coach Sarah Saladino. Before taking over the Hawkettes' program last fall, Saladino had served as the assistant for coach Dave Bingham since 2019. She previously had been a head coach at Waterloo West for four years. "Overall, I think that it has been a … [Read more...] about Several starters are back as Saladino takes over Hawkettes’ softball program

Jaguars defend state title in 4×200 relay, break all-time mark in 4×100 preliminaries

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Noah Ross, Robert McGhee, Caleb Reed and Braeden Jackson got their all-time state record, but just not the one they were on the hunt for. The Ankeny Centennial quartet was on the cusp of setting the all-time record in the 4x200 relay after becoming the second team in Iowa high school history to run a time that was sub-1:26 … [Read more...] about Jaguars defend state title in 4×200 relay, break all-time mark in 4×100 preliminaries

‘I’m super proud of this team’: Hawkettes earn runner-up finish in distance medley

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) As it turns out, the Ankeny grouping of Charlee Cibula, Lillian Buckley, Morgan Fisher and Makenna Madetzke make for a pretty good distance medley relay team. The Hawkettes were looking to follow up a strong Thursday showing that helped them hold the top spot in Class 4A after the first day of the girls' state track meet, … [Read more...] about ‘I’m super proud of this team’: Hawkettes earn runner-up finish in distance medley

‘Tip of the cap to Pleasant Valley’: No. 5 Spartans sweep doubleheader at Ankeny

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The 2025 baseball season hasn’t gotten off to the most ideal start for the Ankeny Hawks. After having two different delays earlier in the week, the Hawks officially opened the year with an 0-2 record after falling 13-0 and 5-0 in a doubleheader against visiting Pleasant Valley on Thursday. The Spartans are No. 5 in the Class … [Read more...] about ‘Tip of the cap to Pleasant Valley’: No. 5 Spartans sweep doubleheader at Ankeny

Hawks defend their crown in 4×800 relay, score points in 3 other events to take lead

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The Ankeny boys' quest for a second consecutive Class 4A track championship got off to a good start Thursday at Drake Stadium. The Hawks defended their title in the 4x800 relay, scored points in three other events and set a meet record in the preliminaries of the shuttle hurdle relay on the opening day of the coed state meet. Those efforts allowed … [Read more...] about Hawks defend their crown in 4×800 relay, score points in 3 other events to take lead

Hanfelt captures state title in high jump; Hawkettes take early lead in 4A team race

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Ankeny's Reagan Hanfelt finally made it to the top of the awards podium. The senior won a Class 4A title in the high jump during the opening day of the coed state track meet on Thursday at Drake Stadium. She had tied for third twice and placed second in the event in the previous three years. "It feels amazing," said Hanfelt. "I just trusted my mom … [Read more...] about Hanfelt captures state title in high jump; Hawkettes take early lead in 4A team race

Smith earns No. 1 seed for 2A singles, could meet Peterson in quarterfinals

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The pairings for next week's boys' and girls' state tennis tournaments have been announced. Ankeny's Kira Smith is the No. 1 seed for the girls' Class 2A singles tournament, which will be held on Friday and Saturday at Iowa City. She will face Addison King of Cedar Falls in the opening round. Smith could potentially meet Ankeny Centennial's Samara … [Read more...] about Smith earns No. 1 seed for 2A singles, could meet Peterson in quarterfinals

Geiselhart nearly qualifies for state while Jaguars place 4th, Hawkettes finish 5th

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' golf teams were hoping to pull off a surprise during a Class 4A regional meet on Wednesday at Marshalltown. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. The 19th-ranked Jaguars shot a 388 on the Elmwood Country Club course and placed fourth in the 10-team field. Ankeny finished fifth with a 403 total and also saw its … [Read more...] about Geiselhart nearly qualifies for state while Jaguars place 4th, Hawkettes finish 5th