Ankeny Fanatic

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Hawks

Defending champions boast high hopes despite heavy losses to graduation

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Ankeny boys' basketball coach Brandt Carlson was thrilled to see the Ankeny football team claim a state championship earlier this month, even if it meant two of his top returning players wouldn't be able to practice for awhile. "I am extremely happy for coach (Rick) Nelson, the staff and team in capturing the 2020 state championship in football," Carlson … [Read more...] about Defending champions boast high hopes despite heavy losses to graduation

Ankeny bowling teams ‘can loosen up and have a little fun’ under Richtsmeier

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For the first time in several years, the members of the Ankeny bowling teams won't have to get acquainted with a new coach. Lane Richtsmeier is back for his second season after taking over the program last year. He is Ankeny's seventh different head coach since the 2014-15 season, but is the first one of that group to return for a second campaign. "So … [Read more...] about Ankeny bowling teams ‘can loosen up and have a little fun’ under Richtsmeier

Bauer named captain of Class 4A all-state team by Iowa Print Sports Writers

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Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer is no longer flying under the radar. His performances throughout the Class 4A playoffs changed all that. Bauer has been named the captain of the Class 4A all-state team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. He was among 10 Ankeny … [Read more...] about Bauer named captain of Class 4A all-state team by Iowa Print Sports Writers

Hawks place 7 players on all-district first team, 8 more on second team

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The state champion Ankeny football team placed seven players on the all-district first team and eight more on the second team. Ankeny Centennial, meanwhile, had three first-team and three second-team selections. The all-district teams were selected by the coaches from the following teams: Ankeny, Centennial, Ames, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Indianola … [Read more...] about Hawks place 7 players on all-district first team, 8 more on second team

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jase Bauer, Ankeny football

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Senior quarterback Jase Bauer played a starring role as the Ankeny football team routed top-ranked Southeast Polk, 42-14, in the Class 4A championship game on Friday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. He accounted for 259 total yards and three touchdowns in the win, and was named Player of the Game by the Iowa High School Sports Network. Bauer completed … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jase Bauer, Ankeny football

Mayberry to join Iowa’s track program; van de Mortel headed to UNI

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Ankeny sprinters Mytika Mayberry and Eva van de Mortel are both headed to Division I track and field programs in Iowa. They could have remained teammates on the collegiate level, but van de Mortel decided to pursue a different path. While Mayberry has committed to run for Iowa, van de Mortel also considered the Hawkeyes before choosing Northern … [Read more...] about Mayberry to join Iowa’s track program; van de Mortel headed to UNI

KINGS OF THE DOME: Ankeny soars to Class 4A crown with rout over Rams

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When Arland Bruce IV transferred to Ankeny earlier this fall, the Iowa recruit didn't know he was joining a state championship football squad. "I knew the talent we had was pretty scary," Bruce said. "But I really didn't look too far into it. I was just worried about trying to get onto the field with the guys." Bruce sat out the first five games of the … [Read more...] about KINGS OF THE DOME: Ankeny soars to Class 4A crown with rout over Rams

HAIL TO THE VICTORS!

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The trophy case at Ankeny High School might be getting a little crowded. For the third time since March, Ankeny came away with a state championship trophy on Friday night--this time courtesy of the football team. The second-ranked Hawks rolled to a 42-14 victory over No. 1 Southeast Polk in the Class 4A title game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. It's … [Read more...] about HAIL TO THE VICTORS!

Unstoppable force vs. Immovable object? Here is Fanatic’s prediction

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Well, my predictions for last week's Class 4A semifinals were right on the mark, so I'm going to tempt fate and try to make another good call. So here we go. Here's my analysis of Friday's state championship game at the UNI-Dome: Southeast Polk (10-0) vs. Ankeny (10-1): This is the matchup that many people have wanted to see all season long, because … [Read more...] about Unstoppable force vs. Immovable object? Here is Fanatic’s prediction

Ankeny’s Murphy finds great fit at DMACC, will play softball for Bears

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Ankeny outfielder Madeleine Murphy will continue her softball career at DMACC (Boone). Murphy helped the Hawkettes to a 19-11 record last season. "DMACC has a very talented program and amazing coaches," Murphy said. "I felt very welcomed when talking to the coaches and athletes and knew that the team would feel like family." Murphy said she only … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Murphy finds great fit at DMACC, will play softball for Bears

‘I grew up with all of those kids’: Ankeny’s Cox to face former classmates in 4A final

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Keeping his emotions in check will be a challenge for Ankeny defensive back Cooper Cox during Friday's Class 4A championship game. Cox attended the Southeast Polk school district before moving to Ankeny prior to his freshman year. "I grew up with all of those kids," Cox said. "I remember playing football with all of them when I was in fourth, fifth and … [Read more...] about ‘I grew up with all of those kids’: Ankeny’s Cox to face former classmates in 4A final

Ankeny volleyball star Schrader named state’s player of the year by IGCA

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2020 has been the year of COVID-19. It has also been the year of Phyona Schrader. The senior setter led the Ankeny volleyball team to the Class 5A state championship earlier this month. She was selected the captain of the all-tournament team. Now, Schrader has received more honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. She was named to the Elite … [Read more...] about Ankeny volleyball star Schrader named state’s player of the year by IGCA

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Arland Bruce IV, Ankeny football

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Senior Arland Bruce IV has played a huge role in helping the Ankeny football team advance to the Class 4A championship game. On Friday, he accounted for 133 total yards and also sealed the victory with an interception in the second overtime as the Hawks dethroned seven-time defending state champion Dowling Catholic, 31-24, in the semifinals at the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Arland Bruce IV, Ankeny football

Part-time runner helps Ankeny swimmers to 7th-place finish at state meet

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A freshman who didn't even focus on swimming full-time this fall helped the Ankeny girls' swimming team to a seventh-place finish in the state meet on Saturday at Marshalltown. Anja Peck, who was also one of the top runners on the Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country squad, placed seventh in the 100 breaststroke in her state-meet debut. She posted a … [Read more...] about Part-time runner helps Ankeny swimmers to 7th-place finish at state meet

‘It’s an amazing feeling’: Hawks outlast Dowling, will play S.E. Polk for 4A crown

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Dowling Catholic's stranglehold on the Class 4A championship trophy had to come to an end sometime. It finally did on Friday the 13th. Jase Bauer ran for the go-ahead touchdown in the second overtime, then Arland Bruce IV sealed the victory with an interception as the second-ranked Ankeny football team outlasted No. 3 Dowling, 31-24, in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘It’s an amazing feeling’: Hawks outlast Dowling, will play S.E. Polk for 4A crown