Ankeny Fanatic

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Hawks

Blimpie Sub of the Week: McKayla Doyle, Ankeny softball

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Junior catcher McKayla Doyle helped the Ankeny softball team to a 19-11 record this season. Doyle played in 17 games and made nine starts while backing up the team's No. 1 catcher, Cassie Johnson. She batted .368 with two doubles and four RBIs. "McKayla is unselfish and has showed up and done the work since seventh grade," said Ankeny coach Dave … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: McKayla Doyle, Ankeny softball

‘We’re hitting our stride’: Hawks’ bid for 3rd state title begins with Pleasant Valley

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Weston Fulk knew that this year's Ankeny baseball team had a chance to be special. The second-ranked Hawks are now just three wins away from completing a magical journey. Ankeny is making its second straight appearance in the Class 4A state tournament. The Hawks (19-8) will meet Pleasant Valley (13-11) in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at Principal … [Read more...] about ‘We’re hitting our stride’: Hawks’ bid for 3rd state title begins with Pleasant Valley

Revised football schedules announced: Hawks, Jaguars to meet Aug. 28

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The revised 2020 football schedules for both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have been announced. The Hawks and Jaguars will still open the season against each other on Aug. 28. Ankeny will be the home team. Both squads will play a seven-game regular season under the revised plan announced last week by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. All Class … [Read more...] about Revised football schedules announced: Hawks, Jaguars to meet Aug. 28

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Smith, Ankeny baseball

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Junior second baseman Carter Smith has helped the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team to a 19-8 record. He went 1-for-3 and scored a run as the Hawks posted a 5-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. Smith is batting .302 with two doubles, one triple and 15 RBIs. He ranks second on the team with 25 runs … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Smith, Ankeny baseball

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ tennis team

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The Ankeny boys' tennis program dates back to the early 1970s. The biggest highlight for the Hawks over the last 50 years came nearly two decades ago. In 2003, head coach Dennis Hoefle guided Ankeny to the best season in school history. The Hawks advanced to the state team tournament for the first time ever and went on to capture the Class 2A … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ tennis team

Hawks soar back to Principal Park, will face Pleasant Valley in 4A quarterfinals

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Mo Watson isn't taking this abbreviated baseball season for granted. The senior catcher hit an RBI single to ignite second-ranked Ankeny to a 5-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The Hawks (19-8) advanced to next week's state tournament for the second straight year. "It feels awesome," said Watson. … [Read more...] about Hawks soar back to Principal Park, will face Pleasant Valley in 4A quarterfinals

S.E. Polk overcomes Johnson’s monster game, ends Hawkettes’ season at 19-11

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The Ankeny softball team had the right batter at the plate on Saturday with the Hawkettes' season on the line. Trailing by three runs on its home field, 14th-ranked Ankeny loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh inning against Southeast Polk in a Class 5A regional semifinal. Stepping into the batter's box was Marina Carter, the Hawkettes' junior … [Read more...] about S.E. Polk overcomes Johnson’s monster game, ends Hawkettes’ season at 19-11

Ankeny’s Christmann to play soccer at Wartburg College

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The Ankeny connection to the Wartburg women's soccer program continues to grow. Ankeny midfielder Rachael Christmann, who helped the Hawkettes to the Class 3A state title in 2019, has committed to play for the Knights. She will join the Division III program in 2021. When Christmann took an overnight visit to Waverly, she stayed with current Wartburg … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Christmann to play soccer at Wartburg College

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lucas Juhl, Ankeny baseball

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Senior third baseman Lucas Juhl is a member of the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team. He has helped the Hawks to an 18-8 record. Juhl has played in 23 of the 26 games with 15 starts. He will play for Simpson College next year. "Lucas always has a team-focused approach," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "He knows that his role as a defensive specialist … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lucas Juhl, Ankeny baseball

‘That was a big-time comeback’: 5-run 7th inning allows Hawks to salvage split

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The Ankeny baseball team appeared to be on its way to a doubleheader loss on Monday that would have stifled the Hawks' momentum heading into postseason play. Visiting Valley was three outs away from completing a sweep before second-ranked Ankeny rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to post a dramatic 7-6 victory. "That was a … [Read more...] about ‘That was a big-time comeback’: 5-run 7th inning allows Hawks to salvage split

‘I trust my defense’: Billings hurls 3-hitter as Hawkettes earn split against Valley

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If Ankeny softball coach Dave Bingham was still undecided about his pitching plans for the postseason, Monday's doubleheader against defending Class 5A state champion Valley may have helped him come to a decision. Sophomore Ashtyn Billings tossed a three-hitter in the nightcap as the 15th-ranked Hawkettes salvaged a split of the twinbill with a 1-0 … [Read more...] about ‘I trust my defense’: Billings hurls 3-hitter as Hawkettes earn split against Valley

Ankeny, Centennial athletes compete at Iowa Track and Field Carnival

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There's nothing that could replace having your entire track and field season wiped out by a global pandemic. But Mike Jay wanted to at least try something. Jay, the lead PA announcer for the Drake Relays and the high school state meet, organized a track and field meet for those Iowans who wanted an opportunity to compete after losing their season to … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial athletes compete at Iowa Track and Field Carnival

Billings wins twice as Hawkettes sweep North to raise their record to 18-9

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The Ankeny softball team picked up a pair of victories on Friday--and so did sophomore pitcher Ashtyn Billings. Billings earned the win in both games as 15th-ranked Ankeny swept a doubleheader at Des Moines North. The Hawkettes posted a 15-0 victory in three innings in the opener, then completed the sweep with a 13-0 win in five innings. Billings (9-5) … [Read more...] about Billings wins twice as Hawkettes sweep North to raise their record to 18-9

Hawks take care of business, roll to pair of 5-inning victories at North

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz was hoping that his players could take care of business quickly on Friday. Mission accomplished. The third-ranked Hawks traveled to Des Moines North for an afternoon doubleheader and came away with a pair of five-inning victories, 14-0 and 14-1. They improved to 17-7 on the season, while the Polar Bears' record dropped … [Read more...] about Hawks take care of business, roll to pair of 5-inning victories at North

Dowling’s misfortune allows Hawks to earn No. 1 seed, bye into substate final

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The Ankeny baseball team will only have to win one game to qualify for this year's state tournament. However, the third-ranked Hawks will also have to overcome an eight-day layoff to earn a return trip to Principal Park. Ankeny (15-7) has been awarded the No. 1 seed in Class 4A Substate 8 after top-ranked Dowling Catholic was forced to cancel the rest … [Read more...] about Dowling’s misfortune allows Hawks to earn No. 1 seed, bye into substate final

Overturf hits Ankeny’s 21st homer in 25 games, leads Hawkettes past Ballard

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Many high school softball teams are fortunate to have one or two players who can hit the ball out of the park. Ankeny is blessed with several power hitters. Gillian Overturf homered and drove in four runs to lead the 15th-ranked Hawkettes to a 5-1 victory over Ballard in a non-conference game on Thursday. "This was a really important night for us," … [Read more...] about Overturf hits Ankeny’s 21st homer in 25 games, leads Hawkettes past Ballard

Hawks build some momentum for postseason with sweep over S.E. Polk

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The Ankeny baseball players had several reasons to be motivated on Wednesday. For someone like Bryce Rinderknecht, it might have been his final opportunity to take the mound for the Hawks. He didn't want to let it go to waste. For others such as Brody Brecht, a chance for some revenge against Southeast Polk was a huge motivating factor. Brecht went … [Read more...] about Hawks build some momentum for postseason with sweep over S.E. Polk