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Hawks

Ankeny’s Cox chooses Central College over Simpson, Grand View

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Ankeny wrestling standout Cael Cox has committed to Central College. Cox announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday. "After lots of time and consideration, I'm pumped to announce I will be part of the Central College wrestling team!" Cox tweeted. "This opportunity would not be possible without my family, teammates, and incredible coaches. Go … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Cox chooses Central College over Simpson, Grand View

Hawkettes will focus on “the process” in their first season under Smith

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There is no shortage of players on the Ankeny girls' tennis team. New head coach Steve Smith said he currently has about 100 girls on the preseason roster. "But from my understanding from past years, that could end up being anywhere between 50 and 90 girls that participate once practices start," Smith said. "So I guess we'll find out next … [Read more...] about Hawkettes will focus on “the process” in their first season under Smith

After winning state title in 2019, Ankeny girls ‘get to make their own story’ in 2021

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Ankeny was the last girls' soccer team to capture the Class 3A state championship. But you won't hear coach Simon Brown talking to the Hawkettes about defending their crown this season. Ankeny won the fourth state title in school history in 2019. The 2020 campaign was then cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning that most of the Hawkettes' … [Read more...] about After winning state title in 2019, Ankeny girls ‘get to make their own story’ in 2021

Hawks lack varsity experience, but team chemistry could take them long way

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Marcus Varnum was hired in the fall of 2019 to take over the Ankeny boys' soccer program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the former Ankeny and Simpson College standout has had to wait more than 17 months to make his coaching debut. The Hawks will open the 2021 season by hosting the Ankeny Invitational on April 3. "I'll be thrilled to get that first … [Read more...] about Hawks lack varsity experience, but team chemistry could take them long way

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Bentor Neyail, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Senior forward Bentor Neyail helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 10-10 record this season. He averaged 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while tying for the team lead in blocks with nine. Neyail scored a career-high 13 points in the Hawks' 66-38 victory over visiting Des Moines Hoover on Feb. 9. He had 10 points in a 68-64 loss at eventual … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Bentor Neyail, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Crews, McAleer, Crandall named to CIML Iowa Conference first team

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For the second straight year, Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball standout Jaron Crews has earned first-team all-conference honors from the coaches in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. Crews, a senior guard, was named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team along with Centennial teammate Colin McAleer, a senior forward. Junior forward Ryan Crandall of … [Read more...] about Crews, McAleer, Crandall named to CIML Iowa Conference first team

Ankeny boys’ track team to rely on depth in sprint, hurdles events

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With temperatures in the 60s, the Ankeny boys' track team took advantage of the balmy weather to compete outdoors Tuesday in a dual meet at Urbandale. Coach Nick Nelson was pleased with the results. "It was great to be outside and run a full meet prior to spring break," Nelson said. "Typically, we are inside doing indoor meets. The boys competed very … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ track team to rely on depth in sprint, hurdles events

Johnson, Maschoff, Phipps to compete in Senior All-Star Classic

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Three girls' basketball players from Ankeny have been selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association to play in the Senior All-Star Classic on April 10-11 in Cedar Rapids. Abby Johnson and Ellie Maschoff of Ankeny will both play in the event. Maggie Phipps of Ankeny Centennial will also participate. Johnson and Phipps will both be members of the Class … [Read more...] about Johnson, Maschoff, Phipps to compete in Senior All-Star Classic

Hawkettes boast talented group of sprinters, seek top-10 finish at state

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Two years ago, the Ankeny girls' track team tied for 12th place in the Class 4A state meet--its highest finish since 2013. Most of the state qualifiers from that squad are still on the Hawkettes' roster, even after losing the majority of the 2020 season to the COVID-19 pandemic. "It has been a year since we got to roll up our sleeves with these kids," … [Read more...] about Hawkettes boast talented group of sprinters, seek top-10 finish at state

Phipps, Johnson earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

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Maggie Phipps of Ankeny Centennial and Abby Johnson of Ankeny were among 12 girls' basketball players from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League to earn all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. A total of 24 players was honored in Class 5A. Phipps, a senior guard, was named to the Class 5A first team. Johnson, a senior forward, was a … [Read more...] about Phipps, Johnson earn all-state honors from Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association

Phipps joins Ankeny’s Johnson, Pitz on CIML Iowa Conference first team

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Maggie Phipps led the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team to the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament in her only season as a Jaguar. Abby Johnson and Jenna Pitz led Ankeny to its first winning record since the split into two high schools. All three players have been named to the CIML Iowa Conference first team by a vote of the league's … [Read more...] about Phipps joins Ankeny’s Johnson, Pitz on CIML Iowa Conference first team

‘It felt like a second home’: Ankeny’s Riggs to play football at St. Ambrose

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As the backup quarterback for the Ankeny football team, Colin Riggs didn't see a lot of playing time during the Hawks' run to the Class 4A state championship last fall. However, he still did enough on the field to catch the attention of college coaches. Riggs has verbally committed to play for St. Ambrose University in Davenport. He announced his … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like a second home’: Ankeny’s Riggs to play football at St. Ambrose

‘Bradley was the perfect fit for me!’: Ankeny’s Scheib to play for Braves

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Ankeny volleyball standout McKenna Scheib will be taking her talents to Peoria, Ill. The senior middle hitter has committed to play for Bradley University. "My decision wasn’t very hard," Scheib said. "It is coming to the end of my high school career and I needed to move on, and Bradley was the perfect fit for me! From the first time I talked to the … [Read more...] about ‘Bradley was the perfect fit for me!’: Ankeny’s Scheib to play for Braves

‘Our guys didn’t back down’: Hawks put up a fight in loss to No. 2 Waukee

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When the Ankeny boys' basketball team suffered a 65-28 loss to Waukee on Dec. 21, the Hawks clearly had a long way to go to compete with one of the state's best squads. Ankeny showed some signs of progress a month later, when the Hawks trailed Waukee by just eight points at halftime before dropping a 65-37 decision. On Tuesday, the Hawks closed the gap … [Read more...] about ‘Our guys didn’t back down’: Hawks put up a fight in loss to No. 2 Waukee

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karson Wehde, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Sophomore forward Karson Wehde helped the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 10-10 record. He scored six points as the Hawks ended their season with a 74-54 loss to second-ranked Waukee in a Class 4A substate final on Tuesday at Indianola. Wehde averaged 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. He placed third on the team with 15 3-point goals, shooting 35.7 … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karson Wehde, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Crandall, Ankeny boys’ basketball

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Junior forward Ryan Crandall scored nine points to help the Ankeny boys' basketball team to a 48-40 victory over visiting Norwalk in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. He also had 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Crandall leads Ankeny in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 11.2 points and 7.4 boards. He has also racked up a team-high … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Ryan Crandall, Ankeny boys’ basketball

Ankeny boys hold off Norwalk, earn another shot against No. 2 Waukee

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The Ankeny boys' basketball team was ready for the start of postseason play. The defending state champion Hawks jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter and then held off visiting Norwalk's rally in the second half to post a 48-40 victory in a Class 4A substate semifinal on Friday. "It relieved some pressure to get that early lead," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys hold off Norwalk, earn another shot against No. 2 Waukee

Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Phipps named to Class 5A West all-district team

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Basketball standouts Abby Johnson of Ankeny and Maggie Phipps of Ankeny Centennial have both earned all-district honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Johnson and Phipps were named to the Class 5A West team. The squad consists of 17 players, 15 of them from the CIML. Phipps, a senior guard, has led the Jaguars to a 15-2 record and a berth in … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Johnson, Centennial’s Phipps named to Class 5A West all-district team