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Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nate Nessa, Ankeny wrestling

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Ankeny junior Nate Nessa placed seventh at 170 pounds in the Indianola wrestling tournament on Saturday. He helped the seventh-ranked Hawks to a fifth-place finish in the seven-team field. Nessa was a backup running back on the state champion Ankeny football team this fall. He rushed 27 times for 249 yards and six touchdowns. Here is some inside info … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Nate Nessa, Ankeny wrestling

Ankeny boys romp past Fort Dodge as 4 players score in double figures

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Bouncing back from its first loss of the season, the Ankeny boys' basketball team romped to an 80-48 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Friday. The ninth-ranked Hawks, who had lost at Pella on Tuesday, improved to 2-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 2-1 overall. The Dodgers dropped to 0-3 on the season, with all three losses coming against league … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys romp past Fort Dodge as 4 players score in double figures

Hawkettes remain unbeaten, gear up for Monday’s showdown at No. 3 Waukee

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team remained unbeaten with a 74-44 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Friday. The Hawkettes jumped out to a 23-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. They extended the margin to 45-24 at halftime. "I thought we ran in transition very well and did an extremely good job at making the extra pass," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Hawkettes remain unbeaten, gear up for Monday’s showdown at No. 3 Waukee

‘I had a really good feeling about Grand View’: Somers to play for Vikings

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One of the best big-play receivers in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League has decided to stay close to home. Ankeny senior Kade Somers has committed to play for Grand View University, one of the top NAIA programs in the nation. He picked the Vikings over Iowa Western Community College and Morningside. "It was really tough to decide on whether I should … [Read more...] about ‘I had a really good feeling about Grand View’: Somers to play for Vikings

Ankeny swimmers cruise past Bobcats, but look for more improvement

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The Ankeny boys' swimming team will have plenty of time to work on some things over the holiday break. The top-ranked Hawks cruised to a 117-53 victory at Marshalltown on Thursday, but Ankeny coach Justin Crouch said his team still needs to get better. "I felt like we were prepared for the meet, but we had quite a few errors," Crouch said. "To be … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers cruise past Bobcats, but look for more improvement

Fort Dodge builds 19-0 lead en route to 38-31 victory over Hawk wrestlers

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A tough opening week for the Ankeny wrestling team continued on Thursday as the seventh-ranked Hawks suffered a 38-31 loss at No. 4 Fort Dodge in their CIML Iowa Conference opener. Ankeny dropped to 0-2 overall after opening the season with a loss to Cedar Falls on Tuesday. "We didn’t wrestle bad," said Ankeny coach Jack Wignall. "Fort Dodge was just a … [Read more...] about Fort Dodge builds 19-0 lead en route to 38-31 victory over Hawk wrestlers

‘I like everything about Grand View’: Ankeny’s Tetmeyer to bowl for Vikings

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Isabel Tetmeyer has been the top bowler for the Ankeny girls' bowling team ever since she joined the varsity lineup as a freshman. It's no surprise, then, that a slew of college coaches was interested in her. Grand View coach Melody Felton was one of them, and Felton was thrilled when Tetmeyer decided to join the Vikings' program. She signed her letter … [Read more...] about ‘I like everything about Grand View’: Ankeny’s Tetmeyer to bowl for Vikings

Miller replaces longtime friend Smith as Ankeny boys’ tennis coach

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The new head coach of the Ankeny boys' tennis team is already familiar with the Hawks' program. Ron Miller has been hired to replace Steve Smith, who resigned from his position to become the head coach of the Ankeny girls' squad. Miller and Smith are longtime friends. "We've been playing tennis together for about 10 years," Miller said. "Steve … [Read more...] about Miller replaces longtime friend Smith as Ankeny boys’ tennis coach

Bonus points are the difference: Cedar Falls wrestlers edge Ankeny, 34-32

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Despite racking up bonus points in all of its wins, the eighth-ranked Ankeny wrestling team opened its season on Tuesday with a 34-32 loss to visiting Cedar Falls. The Tigers won eight of the 14 matches and had three falls, including one at 152 pounds that sealed the victory. Ankeny got falls from top-ranked Caleb Rathjen at 160 and No. 9 Nate Nessa at … [Read more...] about Bonus points are the difference: Cedar Falls wrestlers edge Ankeny, 34-32

‘I couldn’t be happier with the way the kids bowled’: Ankeny teams top Dodgers

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Gage Payton and the Ankeny bowling teams enjoyed another good day on Tuesday. Payton bowled a 412 series to lead the Hawks to a victory over visiting Fort Dodge in their CIML Iowa Conference opener at Great Escape. They won the meet by a score of 2,820 to 2,568. The Ankeny girls' squad also prevailed by a score of 2,514 to 2,363. The Hawkettes and … [Read more...] about ‘I couldn’t be happier with the way the kids bowled’: Ankeny teams top Dodgers

Pella boys make 13 3-pointers, hand Hawks their first loss of the season

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Scoring points hasn't been an issue for the Ankeny boys' basketball team in its first two games. Stopping its opponent, though, was a little bit of a problem on Tuesday. The visiting Hawks suffered their first loss as Pella made 13-of-23 3-point shots and remained unbeaten with a 68-64 victory in a non-conference game. "We're scoring about what we … [Read more...] about Pella boys make 13 3-pointers, hand Hawks their first loss of the season

Hawkettes battle back from early deficit to post 54-50 victory at Pella

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Overcoming a slow start, the Ankeny girls' basketball team battled back for a 54-50 victory at Pella on Tuesday. The Hawkettes fell behind after the first quarter, 16-9. They rallied to take a 29-26 halftime lead, then held off the Little Dutch down the stretch in the non-conference game. "It was kind of an ugly, hard-fought win," said Ankeny coach Dru … [Read more...] about Hawkettes battle back from early deficit to post 54-50 victory at Pella

Ankeny swimmers win 2 of last 3 events to earn 85-85 tie against Ames

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For the second year in a row, the Ankeny boys' swimming team battled Ames down to the wire in a dual meet. Last year, the Hawks won the final five events to rally for an 86-84 victory over Ames. On Monday, the host Little Cyclones built a 10-point lead through eight events before Ankeny rallied again. This time, the Hawks won two of the last three … [Read more...] about Ankeny swimmers win 2 of last 3 events to earn 85-85 tie against Ames

‘It was a no-brainer’: Ankeny linebacker Manus to play for Missouri Western

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Ankeny football standout Brecken Manus is headed to the Show-Me state. The senior linebacker announced on Monday that he has verbally committed to play for Missouri Western. "It was not a hard decision at all," said Manus. "The first time I got to the campus, I knew I could see myself at Missouri Western." Manus also had offers from Wayne State and … [Read more...] about ‘It was a no-brainer’: Ankeny linebacker Manus to play for Missouri Western

‘I knew I had to get in the lane’: Simonsen draws charge to seal Hawks’ victory

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As a defensive lineman on the Ankeny football team, Braden Simonsen did a lot of the dirty work in the trenches to help the Hawks to the Class 4A state title. On Friday, Simonsen showed that he can do the dirty work on the basketball court, too. The junior post player stepped in front of Mason City's Cory Miner and drew a charging foul with 2 seconds … [Read more...] about ‘I knew I had to get in the lane’: Simonsen draws charge to seal Hawks’ victory

Hawkettes overcome ‘tricky situation’, romp past Mason City in opener

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The Ankeny girls' basketball team got double-digit scoring from four different players and opened its season with a 71-47 victory at Mason City on Friday. Ankeny coach Dru McAnelly often stresses the importance of having three players score in double figures. Four is even better. "I think our winning percentage is definitely way higher when we have … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome ‘tricky situation’, romp past Mason City in opener

Crouch returns to ‘special’ place, guides Hawk swimmers past Dowling

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Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch always enjoys going back to his old stomping grounds. Thursday's visit to the Dowling Catholic pool was especially enjoyable for the former Maroons' swimmer. Crouch guided the Hawks to a 105-65 victory over Dowling in their season opener. "With everything going on and the unknown of if or when we would get … [Read more...] about Crouch returns to ‘special’ place, guides Hawk swimmers past Dowling

‘It’s good to be back’: Ankeny bowlers sweep Dowling Catholic in opener

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The season got off to a good start for the Ankeny bowling teams on Thursday. Both squads defeated Dowling Catholic in a dual meet at Val Lanes. "It's good to be back," said Ankeny coach Lane Richtsmeier. "At the start of the school year, I wasn't sure if this season was going to happen or not. There has definitely been some challenges for sure, as this … [Read more...] about ‘It’s good to be back’: Ankeny bowlers sweep Dowling Catholic in opener

State champion Hawks are No. 9 in Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today

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A 10-game winning streak to close out the season has vaulted the Ankeny football team into the Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today. The Hawks are ninth in the latest rankings. They capped off an 11-1 season with a 42-14 victory over top-ranked Southeast Polk in the Class 4A championship game last month at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Ankeny has racked … [Read more...] about State champion Hawks are No. 9 in Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today