Ankeny Fanatic

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Hawks

Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes

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A few days ago, Ankeny girls' basketball coach Dru McAnelly said he thought he could have a pretty good basketball team by mid-January. If Tuesday's season opener against fifth-ranked Southeast Polk was any indication, it's not going to take that long. Ankeny battled the visiting Rams on even terms for much of the game before Southeast Polk pulled away … [Read more...] about Valiant effort falls short as S.E. Polk’s late run foils upset bid by Hawkettes

Hawk tankers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invitational

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Tuesday's Ankeny Sprint Invitational gave the Ankeny boys' swimming team an early chance to see how the Hawks stack up against some of the state's top squads. Defending state champion Waukee won the six-team meet with 473 points. Valley placed second with 405 points, followed by Ankeny with 373. "There definitely was a lot of fast swimming in the pool … [Read more...] about Hawk tankers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invitational

Seven Ankeny players named to Class 5A all-state first team by IPSWA

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Thirteen Ankeny football players have received all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Two Ankeny Centennial standouts were also honored. The Hawks, who posted a 10-3 record and earned a runner-up finish in Class 5A, placed seven players on the … [Read more...] about Seven Ankeny players named to Class 5A all-state first team by IPSWA

Challenging season ahead for Richtsmeier, Ankeny bowling teams

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Ankeny bowling coach Lane Richtsmeier is still trying to determine his lineups for Tuesday's season opener against visiting Dowling Catholic at Great Escape. Right now, Richtsmeier doesn't have enough female bowlers for a full girls' varsity squad. "We have 27 total kids out but only four girls at the moment--with some possible late arrivals, hopefully … [Read more...] about Challenging season ahead for Richtsmeier, Ankeny bowling teams

Hawkettes could experience growing pains, but McAnelly sees some potential

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It might take awhile for the Ankeny girls' basketball team to reach its potential. The Hawkettes return only two starters from a squad that posted a 10-7 record last year for the program's first winning season since the split into two high schools. "We are extremely young with only two seniors, and both of them have not played very many varsity minutes … [Read more...] about Hawkettes could experience growing pains, but McAnelly sees some potential

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Tamden Webb-Tate, Ankeny football

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Senior linebacker Tamden Webb-Tate helped the Ankeny football team to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A. He has been named to the all-district first team for the second year in a row. Webb-Tate made eight tackles in the Hawks' 24-7 loss to Southeast Polk in the Class 5A championship game on Friday at the UNI-Dome. He led the team this … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Tamden Webb-Tate, Ankeny football

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